How to Put Knitting Meshes on Hold
Summary
– Step 1: Holding stitches on straight or circular needles
– Step 2: Holding stitches on a stitch stop
– Step 3: Holding stitches for knitting twists
Stacking is the process of leaving some of the stitches out of a knitted fabric to knit another part. These stitches can then be retrieved on a needle and knitted: this is the case when knitting a V-neckline. The stitches are divided into two equal parts and knitted one after the other. To put stitches on hold, it is important to use the appropriate material depending on the part of the knitting to be left out: a stitch stopper for necklines, a straight or circular needle for large work, and an auxiliary needle for twists.
1. Setting aside stitches on straight or circular needles
Straight and circular needles are ideal for holding stitches on a simple project or with many stitches.
On a straight needle
If the pattern explanation does not allow for different stitches, they can be left on hold on the same knitting needle. Alternatively, you can slide the stitches onto a stitch stop if that makes you feel more comfortable.
It is advisable to have a second set of needles of the same size if you need to knit other parts of the work.
Get a tip guard to avoid losing stitches left on the right needle. This tip fits over the end of the needle and prevents stitches from being lost.
On a circular needle
With a circular needle, you can slip stitches onto the cable in the center and leave them on hold before you start knitting again.
The circular needle is convenient because it has a long cable to knit different parts simultaneously.
Tip: When holding the stitches, always slip them in as if you were knitting purl. This will prevent the stitch from being twisted.
2. Stacking stitches on a stitch stop
The stitch stop looks like a large safety pin. A stitch stop is necessary to leave stitches on hold when knitting a sweater neckline or pockets. It allows you to set aside unknitted stitches by “locking them up” to avoid losing them. This is the safest and easiest way to put stitches on hold.
1. At the location indicated on the pattern, place the open stitch stop facing the stitches on the needle.
2. Slip the stitches onto the stopper, picking them up as if you were knitting them backwards. The goal is not to twist them.
3. Close the stitch stop when all the stitches have been slid in.
4. Continue knitting the other part of the knitted fabric, leaving out the waiting stitches.
5. Pick up the leftover stitches by transferring them to a knitting needle, as if you were knitting purl.
6. Resume your knitting as usual, following the pattern explanations.
Note: It is sometimes necessary to change the ball when knitting a two-piece neckline because the part of the stitches left on hold is connected to the ball yarn.
3. Holding stitches to knit twists
To knit twists, it is necessary to leave a few stitches on hold while knitting the next stitches and then pick up the ones left out. These stitches then form a multi-stitch twist. The auxiliary needle is essential because it has a V shape where the stitches are slipped to prevent them from falling off the needle.
1. At the location indicated on the pattern, place the auxiliary needle at the stitches to be stowed.
2. Slip the stitches onto the auxiliary needle as if knitting purl so they do not get twisted.
3. Stitches are stowed in front of or behind the work depending on the position of the twist:
◦ for a left-facing twist, leave the stitches on hold in front of the work;
◦ for a right-facing twist, leave the meshes on hold behind the work.
4. Knit the following stitches normally and then knit the held stitches on the twist needle.
How do knit twists? We’ll tell you more in our following publication. Stay tuned, and don’t forget to share your experience with us.
Read more:
- How to Read Knitting Explanations;
- How to Read a Knitting Diagram;
- Tips to Knit Outstanding Bonnet for Baby;
- How to Knit With Foam Stitch?
