Can someone give me instructions on knitting patterns?

Question

I've taken up knitting and I can do the basic stitch fine but I'm wondering if there's any nice stitches I can do. I'm just knitting my friend a scarf for her birthday and I want to make it slightly more interesting than just plain pearl stitching the whole way down. A site that would give me good instructions would be nice too!

Answer 1

How about a cable stitch up the middle? I would start of by doing a few rows in rib. That is knit one pearl one. Then work out equal amount of stitches either side of a central panel - say 12 stitches -in the centre. Next row knit one pearl one until you reach the beginning of the 12. Now pearl 4 stitches, then on a little cable needle(this is a short needle with point at both ends) knit two stitches and keep this needle with the two sts at the front.Now knit two stitches then bring the two stitches on the cable needle across the front and knit them off the other end of the cable needle. Pearl 4 then knit one pearl one to the end. On the return row, keep the rib correct and when you get to the central 12 stitches pearl across them.

Hope this makes sense. It is easier than fancy stitches.

Oh, I forgot, you don't do this every row. Keeping the basic pattern going knit the next 4 rows keeping rib then plain knit across the front of cable and on return row, pearl across the cable block. In other words you have a 6 row pattern which makes knitting more interesting.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Most knitting patterns are comprised of the knit and the purl stitch.  It's the way you combine those that make the different patterns.

A cable stitch up the middle of the scarf, as Annie suggested, would be a great idea. Here's a site that shows you how to make cables...

http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesA...

Here's a free pattern for a very nice scarf with a cable in the center, rated as "easy".  You may need to register there to see the pattern, but it's free, and they have a lot of great patterns there:

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60053....

Here's a site with videos showing how to do beginner as well as advanced knitting techniques:

http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn...

Answer 3

I do not want to discourage you from learning more advanced knitting techniques, but if you have not been knitting very long, I would first experiment with different yarns and different needle sizes.  It is the fastest and easiest way to add variety to your knitting, give you extra practice with the basics and keep you from getting bored.  With today's georgeous novelty yarns and embelishments, you will be amazed at what you can do with just the basic stitch.  DIY channel website has some knitting shows and they offer full instructions with pictures.  Just google DIY channel and one of the shows is Knitty Gritty.