No doubt, knitting requires the same effort as learning new aptitudes or skills. To learn knitting is like learning a new language. It is a technique to create two-dimensional fabrics and is mostly used in garment manufacturing. It can be done by hand or by machine.
To learn this technique you must be familiar with the knitting languages and abbreviations which are used as a short form to describe knitting patterns. Every knitting pattern or design owes its own abbreviation or alludes to a standard. Knitting doesn’t have a single authoritative source to explain, so numerous sites exist. These abbreviations make patterns and designs easier to understand. You can learn more about these abbreviations also.
Meaning of “STS” in Knitting
Among various abbreviations and languages of knitting STS (STS Knitting) is among the most common ones. STS is abbreviated from “stitches” in knitting language since ST means “Single Stitch”. It is mostly represented as ST (S) i-e Stitch (es).
Types of STS Knitting
For every knitter the knowledge of all the stitches is important. These stitches help to discover various new patterns to add variety to your products. As knitting become famous throughout the world, different techniques and patterns have been discovered to enhance the aesthetics of garments and designs.
These techniques only differ from how the needle held and adding colors for styling, as well as manipulating stitches to discover various new patterns. STS knitting is based upon many different types including:
- Bamboo stitch
- Garter stitch
- Stockinette stitch
- Rib stitch
- Seed stitch
- Basket weave stitch
- Netted stitch
- Linen stitch
- Herringbone stitch
- Moss stitch
- Herringbone lace rib stitch
- Purl ridge stitch
- Cartridge belt rib stitch
- Single rib knit and many more.
STS (stitches) For Beginners
Although STS knitting is of many types, the following discussed types are essential for every knitter to start knitting. These types are the fundamentals and are the widely used STS knitting throughout the world. The beginner stitchers start knitting from easy stitches to enhance their understanding. These stitches are as follows.
Knit and Purl Stitch:
Basically, everything in knitting is based on the knit stitch and the purl stitch (two basic stitches in knitting).
Knit Stitch:
Knit stitch is the basic among all the stitches and forms the basis of most products. It is usually made with cotton thread by making a loop from the back of the fabric to the front. It looks like a little V. in knitting patterns it is abbreviated as k1. It is further used to form other types of stitches like garter stitch, rib stitch, moss stitch, etc.
Purl Stitch:
A purl stitch is created by making a loop in the front of the work. It looks like a raised bump on the fabric. It opens a door to so many knitting patterns just like a knit stitch.
Since Knit stitch and purl stitch are simple, this doesn’t create a diversity of designs when used exclusively, but their combinations and variations could produce such results that are above the imagination.
Stockinette Stitch:
It is the most basic and easiest knitting stitch to learn and is the next step after knowing knit and purl stitch. It can be formed by the alteration of the knit row and the purl row. It is a widely used pattern in scarves, blankets, sweaters, hats, etc. It has a right and wrong side. The right side is a smooth area while the wrong side seems like small V’s. When the first row is purled and the second is knitted it forms a reverse stockinette stitch. It is abbreviated as “St”.
Rib Stitch:
It forms textured verticals stripes or ribs-like patterns. It is based on columns of knit and purl stitches by alternating together in the same row. It is mostly used for cuffs, sweater bands, collars, and brims. It is further of many combinations but the most well-known are even combinations, having the same number of knit stitches and purl stitches. These are:
- 1*1 ribbing (single knit stitch alternate with single purl stitch)
- 2*2 ribbing(2 knit stitches alternate with 2 purl stitches)
Garter Stitch:
It is generally the first stitch that every beginner knitter learns. Garter Stitch is the easiest and well-known stitch that is used in many knitted fabrics for designing purposes. It is used for forming borders and edges to avoid the curling of fabric. It is a reversible pattern because both sides of the fabric look the same. In garter stitch, we simply have to knit stitch every row. It looks like little bumps on the fabric. It creates strong and stretchy fabric.
Seed Stitch:
Seed stitch is based on single knit and purl stitches alternating horizontally and vertically. It is two small back stitches that work adjacent to each other, to form a little circular dot. It is also known as “rice grain stitch or rice stitch” because of its resemblance and name. It is also a reversible stitch as both sides of the fabric look the same. Seed stitch is mostly used in sweater borders, cuffs, and scarves. It is further divided into,
- Even Seed Stitch
- Odd Seed Stitch
Even Seed Stitch
Row 1: knit 1, purl 1, repeat to end.
Row 2: purl1, knit 1, repeat to end.
Odd Seed Stitch
Row 1: knit 1, purl 1, repeat to final stitch, and end with knit 1.
Row 2 and after Repeat the same pattern for other remaining rows.
Basket Weave Stitch:
Basketweave stitch consists of simple knits and purls to form a textured fabric to produce a knitted basket. Same as many stitches, it looks like a complex design but is easy to learn and create when you have a perfect command of simple knit and purl.
It is named so due to its resemblance with basket patterns. It is used for blankets, pillows, scarves, ear warmers, mug cozies, and bags. It is an irreversible pattern because the right and wrong sides don’t look the same. The right side is patterned while the wrong side is a smooth inverted texture. Learn more
Picking Up STS in Knitting
Picking up STS is the essential part of knitting, which every knitter have to do while knitting garments. “Picking up Stitches” generally means putting already knit stitches on your needle and knitting them perpendicularly. It is an easy way to construct a wrapped-up edge on numerous sorts of knitwear. It might be used to add ribbing to the bottom of sweaters or to add earflaps to hats. It is also useful to make any knitting project seamless. Following is the step-by-step process of how to cast on and how to cast-off edges.
Step 1:
- Start work from the right side confronting you, moving from right to left on the off chance that you are going to knit a row.
- Embed the right needle into the very first stitch, beneath both strands at the top.
Step 2:
- Wrap the cotton thread across the needle. You can use a contrast color for this.
Step 3:
- Scoop the needle towards you- you now have a stitch on your needle.
Step 4:
- Repeat the process along the edge.
Step 5:
If you wish to pick up stitches along the edge, follow these instructions
- Again work with the right side facing you. Embed the right needle into the very first stitch, beneath both strands.
Step 6:
- Wrap the cotton thread across the needle.
Step 7:
Keep the process continues until you have picked up enough stitches. You can follow any of the stitch patterns whether seed stitch, garter stitch, or other as per your choice.
Final Thoughts
To start knitting first you have to learn the basic stitches which are knit and purl stitch. Then you have to learn the knitting language and abbreviations. It helps you to discover new patterns and designs to make space in the fashion market. It may be difficult to learn but will be easy for you if you follow the steps.
