This series covers several different knitting stitches using the Learn-to-Knit Afghan book by Barbara Walker. Whether you are a true beginner or an intermediate knitter, you can take your knitting to the next level working through the blocks in this book. About once a week I will be adding one new block to the blog with some of my notes. If you would like to knit along with us please feel free to leave your comments, questions, suggestions, and links to photos in the COMMENT section. You can also add a photo to our Flickr group or tag a Tweet with #WFAlearn2knit. If you are just joining us you might want to start with the introductory post.
Block Six: Twisted and Crossed Ribbing
Block Seven: (coming soon)
Getting Started Knitting
If you are completely new to knitting you can learn the basics of getting starting with our Newbie Knitting series. Once you have tackled the first few lessons there, you will be ready to begin your afghan.
Working with the Twisted and Crossed Ribbing
Before starting this block, be sure to review the k-p and p-b stitches found on page 29. It is a little confusing at first but not difficult once you get going.
For both the knitting and purling in the back stitches you need to be working the with part of the loop (on the left needle) that wraps around the back side of the needle rather than using the half that is on the front. Other than than that the knit stitch is worked like a knit stitch in terms of wrapping and such. Same for the purl stitch.
Here is what K-B looks like.
And here is the P-B stitch.
The twisting creates a cool braided effect on the raised rib rows. I also found that these braided rows were tighter and neater looking than the traditional knit rib rows. The block pattern includes a section with the twisted rib and then is offset with a section of a traditional rib. You can see the difference in the photo below (the bottom section is twisted, the next section is not, and so on). The twisted rows are much straighter. It would make a very neat and clean ribbing for cuffs or on a hat.
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I’m just finishing block three and all of my blocks are different sizes. Is this common?
Yes all of the blocks are slightly different sizes until you block them. Basically you will use block one as your guide block for sizing. Read page 158 and it will talk more about how to block. But don’t worry about it now if your blocks are a bit wonky.
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