Knitting: What is Front and Back Loop?

While the Knit A Block A Week series continues, I came across some patterns that specifically ask for knitting in back loop.

I have seen my mother knit for many years and learnt knitting by noticing her knit sweaters, scarves, etc.
For the matter of fact that knitting is commonly done in one way, that is, knitting in front loop, be it knit or purl (at least that's was what I thought); I never knew that there was a 'functional' back loop also.
Now that I am learning more about the different stitches, it is interesting to know that various types of stitches can be formed by stitching in these loops.  

Front loop is the one that is directly in front of us and the one that is farther and behind the needle is the back loop.

There is another component that cannot be ignored when talking about the front and back loops and that is the Horizontal Bar. It is the bar or strand present between two stitches.

Happy Knitting!!!

Knitting : Chevron Stitch

Week 4 of Knit a Block A Week series is the Chevron Stitch 

Chevron Stitch

Multiples of 8 plus 1

Row 1: K1, * P7, K1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: P1, * K7, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 3: K2,* P5, K3; repeat from * to last 7 sts, P5, K2.
Row 4: P2, * K5, P3; repeat from * to last 7 sts , K5, P2.

Row 5: K3, * P3, K5; repeat from * to last 6 sts,  P3, K3.
Row 6: P3, *K3, P5; repeat from * to last 6 sts, K3, P3.

Row 7: K4, * P1, K7; repeat from * to last 5 sts , P1, K4.
Row 8: P4, * K1, P7; repeat from * to last 5sts, K1, P4.

Row 9: Same as Row 2
Row 10: Same as Row 1
Row 11: Same as Row 4
Row 12: Same as Row 3
Row 13: Same as Row 6
Row 14: Same as Row 5
Row 15: Same as Row 8
Row 16: Same as Row 7

Repeat these 16 Rows.

Basket Weave Stitch and Double Moss Stitch

Basket Weave Stitch 

Cast on in multiples of 6
Row 1: Knit
Row 2 : Purl
Row 3 : * K1, P4, K1, repeat from *
Row 4: * P1, K4, P1, repeat from *
Row 5 : Same as Row 3
Row 6: Same as Row 4
Row 7: Knit
Row 8 : Purl
Row 9 : * P2 , K2, P2, repeat from *
Row 10: * K2, P2, K2, repeat from *
Row 11: Same as Row 9
Row 12: Same as Row 10.

Repeat these 12 Rows....

Double Moss Stitch ( reversible)

Cast on in multiples of 4 plus 2
Row 1: * K2, P2, repeat from * to last 2 stitches,  K2
Row 2: * P2, K2, repeat from * to last 2 stitches , P2
Row 3 : Same as Row 2
Row 4 : Same as Row 1

Repeat these 4 Rows

Knitting : Irish Moss Stitch and Diagonal Seed Stitch

This is a part of Knit A Block A Week series.
I have knitted a block with two different stitches.

The lower part is the Basic Seed Stitch also known as Irish Moss Stitch.
This stitch gives the fabric a sturdy and textured finish, good enough to be used as borders for sweaters, blankets etc.

The upper part is the Diagonal seed stitch.

Diagonal Seed Stitch 

Multiples of 5 sts
Row 1 ( Right side) : * K4, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 2 : *P1, K1, P3 repeat from * to end.
Row 3 : * K2, P1, K2, repeat from * to end.
Row 4 : * P3, K1, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 5 : * P1, K4, repeat from * to end.
Row 6 : *K1, P4, repeat from * to end.
Row 7 : * K3, P1, K1, repeat from * to end.
Row 8 : * P2, K1, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 9 : *K1, P1, K3, repeat from * to end.
Row 10 : * P4, K1, repeat from * to end.

Repeat these 10 rows.

Irish Moss Stitch ( or Basic Seed Stitch)

Multiples of  2 stitches 
Row 1 : *K1, P1, repeat from * to end
Row 2 : * P1, K1, repeat from * to end.

Repeat these 2 rows.

Happy Knitting!!

Garter Stitch & Stockinette Stitch

A week back I had started a Knit a block a week challenge.
So, here comes the first set . I knitted the 2 most basic blocks together.

When I srarted learning to knit I worked the stockinette stitch first. The most common stitch used for school sweaters as they give a plain and a formal look.

Garter Stitch was usually used for add-on panels for scarves.

Interestingly, these names were not used then. I learned these only when I strated using internet.

My favorite of the two, ages ago, was the stockinette as it gives neat finish.

But now, my preference has changed to Garter stitch, as I love its bumpy and not so plain look.

Garter Stitch

Cast on any number of stitches.

Every row : Knit or Purl


Stockinette Stitch 

Cast on any number of stitches.

Row 1 ( right side) - Knit

Row 2 - Purl

Repeat rows 1 and 2 

Knit A Block A Week : What Is It?

While clearing up my craft supplies, I learned that I have lots of unused as well as left over yarn.
And, it has been a long time that I did something crafty. So, I decided to try knitting that had been on my to do list for quite some time.

Starting this Monday, the first day of October 2018; I am planning to knit a block every week till the end of January 2019.

The two basic knit stitches- Knit and Purl, would be the foundation of every block.

I think this is going to be fun and a lot of learning. I will be posting pictures of the finished blocks every Monday.

I am really excited to knit some of my favorite blocks soon...

Wishing myself good luck,
Let's see on next Monday....

Index

1. Garter Stitch and Stockinette Stitch
2. Irish Moss Stitch and Diagonal Seed Stitch
3. Basket Weave Stitch and Double Moss Stitch 
4. Chevron Stitch
5. Check Stitch
6. Twisted and Double twisted stockinette stitch 

Happy Knitting.