| When I was a kid, there was a candy bar by the | | | | more than the purl side is always the wrong side. |
| name of "Chunky". | | | | Sometimes, the knit side is the wrong side, and |
| It was nothing more than a solid square of | | | | before I start sounding too much like Edith |
| chocolate, with some raisins and nuts thrown in. | | | | Bunker, just take my word for it. |
| But, boy was it good! I can't remember how | | | | In fact, when you purl on the "right" side and knit |
| many nickels I plunked down for one of those on | | | | on the "wrong" side, you are using the reverse |
| a hot, summer afternoon! | | | | stockinette stitch. |
| Chocolate bars aside, if you want to learn knitting, | | | | Usually when you are knitting cable stitches, you |
| learn it the "chunky" way. What do I mean by | | | | will use the purl side as the "right" side of your |
| that? | | | | knitting; because cables show up much better on |
| I mean, learn knitting in little bits and pieces. Learn | | | | the purl side of your work. |
| anything in little bits and pieces, and before you | | | | The right and wrong sides to your knitting only |
| know it, you have learned a LOT! | | | | refer to which side will be on the outside and |
| So when you read a knitting pattern, whether it | | | | which side will be on the inside when your |
| be a child or a baby pattern, or something for | | | | garment is worn. |
| your mother or best friend, and the pattern tells | | | | You see, it's little bits and pieces like these, that |
| you to work in garter stitch for the first 6 rows, | | | | make you a good knitter; not always knowing |
| you will know to "knit" all 6 rows. Garter stitch = | | | | what the newest yarn is all about, or should you |
| knit every row. | | | | buy those lighted knitting needles? |
| If you knit one row, then purl the next row, then | | | | Another chunky bit is the word "knitwise", and no |
| knit, then purl, and keep doing that for the entire | | | | it doesn't refer to anyone's brain power. |
| pattern, you are working in "stockinette" stitch. | | | | Knitwise means to slip the stitch from the left |
| The word "stockinette" probably comes from an | | | | needle to the right needle as if you were knitting |
| alteration of "stocking-net", because it means "a | | | | it; but you are slipping it. Purlwise means to slip |
| loosely knitted stretch fabric". | | | | the stitch as if you were purling it. |
| As you knit and purl, your knitting begins to take | | | | If you are not slipping the stitch, only inserting the |
| on a loosely knitted look. The knit side has a "V" | | | | needle in preparation to something else, then |
| design in it, and the purl side has a "brickwork" | | | | insert the needle knitwise. Or purlwise, if that's |
| look. | | | | what the pattern calls for. |
| And here's a newsflash for you: never, never, | | | | So, you see, if you learn terms, a little at a time, |
| never knit a scarf in stockinette stitch. | | | | then you will never be wondering what something |
| Why? | | | | means, when you come across it, in your knitting. |
| Because, it will curl up like yesterday's french fries. | | | | You will know what it means. |
| And that's not a good thing! | | | | And, as you go, you add to your expertise! |
| Your scarf will look more like tubing than a neck | | | | As time goes by, I will add additional articles on |
| protector; unless you like tubing as a neck | | | | glossary terms, and lots and lots of other stitches |
| protector. | | | | and knitting terms. |
| Garter stitch and stockinette stitch are the two | | | | You know what they say, a little knowledge goes |
| basic knitting stitches. Learn these and all the rest | | | | a long way; well, with us knitters, the more we |
| are mere variations on that theme. | | | | know the better! |
| When you knit, oftentimes you will come across | | | | And if we learn knitting the chunky way, why, |
| the words "wrong side" and "right side". | | | | that's about as good as eating that chocolate bar! |
| The knit side is not always the right side, any | | | | |