Pretend the crochet hook is your right-hand needle and knit with it instead of another needle. Insert the hook into the first st as if to knit, knit that st off (figure A). * Insert the hook into the next st, knit the yarn through, but continue to bring this new loop through that st that's on the hook as well! Rep from * until all sts are bound off.Crochet-Hook Sizing
Don't know what size your crochet hook is? There are four ways to tell:
- It may say on the hook what its knitting-needle equivalent is.
- Use the knit-check gauge.
- Rub the needle and the hook together in both hands to feel whether they're about the same size.
- Here's a mnemonic device to help you remember: a size-H crochet hook is equivalent to a size-8 knitting needle. "H" and "eight" almost rhyme, so you can size up and down from there. If H = 8, then I = 9, J = 10, K = 10.5; going downward, G = 7, F = 6, E = 5, D = 4, C= 3 and B = 2.
Duplicate-Stitch Finish on Circular Neck
Bind off until the last loop is on the needle (or hook, using your new method from today). Clip the yarn and leave a 4" tail. Pull that last loop long until the tail pops out of the last chain. Put tail onto tapestry needle.
Smooth Bind-Off on Circular Knitting
With tail on tapestry needle, insert into first bind-off chain to the left of the first st. Go under both loops of that chain, then insert the tapestry needle back down into last chain (the place where the tail popped out of to begin with). Pull slightly to even this out, then weave in end to the back of work.
Knit-In Buttons
Hate to sew buttons? Here's how to knit them onto the garment. (This requires shank-type buttons; other types won't work.)
1. Insert a small crochet hook (small enough to go thru shank-hole) into the shank-hole.
2. Work to then st where the button is desired.
3. Place that particular st onto the crochet hook.
4. Pull st thru shank-hole (thus hoisting button onto st and off hook).
5. Replace st onto needle (either left or right).
Sewing Ribbon
Overlap the ends of ribbon yarn for about 1/8" and sew together with matching thread and sewing needle. This also prevents fraying of ribbon edges and makes the smoothest and most invisible join with no waste whatsoever.
Button Spacing
Mark dots 1" apart on a length of 1/2" to 1" elastic. Now choose the number of dots to represent the number of buttons that you are placing onto the cardigan. Pull the elastic over the edge of the cardigan and mark!
Web Extra: Improved Left-Slant Decrease
Here's an efficient technique to help you create a tighter and neater left-slant decrease by preparing the row before.
On row before a left-slant dec is to be worked, figure out which sts will form this left-slant dec (normally worked as an ssk). Purl these 2 sts by throwing the yarn in the opposite direction than normal. Than is, wrap the yarn around the ndl underneath first, then over the top.
On the next row, these sts will now be turned the opposite way already--no need to do the slip-slip and place them back onto the left ndl. They're already in place for you to knit them together through their back loops.
This will be more efficient as there are fewer moves to do. Also, without the extra maneuvering and jostling, it will be much tighter and neater and should be the closest match to the k2tog or right-slant decrease.
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2005/11/17/dkng308_3fa_e.jpg",350,450))
