How To - Dizzy Tyke Designs

Many Scarfs, Shawls and Kerchiefs that are knitted top down and are triangular start with a garter tab cast on.

Which if you are not familiar with can look very complicated, when in fact it is a simple technique that can stand you in good stead for lots of projects.

I’ve been asked by a few uses if I can produce a guide on this method…so here goes…..Here is a step by step guide to mastering the technique.

In this example we are going to cast on 5 stitches, many patterns call for 2 or 3 and some up to 20 or 30 dependant on the design, but the principal remains the same.

Take your chosen yarn and needles and cast on 5 stitches…

Work 5 rows in garter stitch (knit all stitches on all rows). We are calling the edge these stitches are on ‘A’.

…at the end on your 5th row, place a stitch maker, now you are now going to pick up 5 stitches along the edge ‘B’.

…you now have 10 stitches.

…next place another stitch marker and pick up 5 stitches along edge ‘C’, this is your original cast on edge. this can be a little fiddly if you are using fine yarn.

…you now have 15 stitches and will be ready to commence your chosen design.

In this picture the stitches are split onto 2 needles, it shows the work you have done creates a small triangle from which to work, this is often called a garter tab.

Mordiford ShawlMordiford Shawl PDF Pattern

As you can see from the samples above, they both have a garter stitch edges, but the design looks very different as the number of stitches picked up and worked vary.

Many thanks for viewing my update and I look forward to seeing you in Instagram.

Deb (The Dizzy Tyke)

Knitted buttons loops allow you to easily add to the edge of knitting without interfering with the cast on or off.

Here at Dizzy Tyke Designs we use them a lot on sleep sacks to stop corners flapping around. Have a look at the Martley, Abberley and Honeybourne sleep sacks

They look great when finished and are not complicated or difficult to make. Have a practice on the edge of an old bit of knitting or even fabric as consistency is the key to a professional finish.

Identify where you want the edges of the loop, then using a tapestry needle attach yarn so there are 2 thickness.

Thread the needle through the work from back to front, where you want the second edge of the loop to be. The long stitch should be slightly bigger than the button diameter.

Pass the needle through the long loop from front to back, then pass the needle through the small loop, then pull firmly but not excessively. This creates a stitch around the long loop.

Keep repeating the needle going through the long loop from front to back, then pass the needle through the small loop, until all of the long loop is covered. By keep the firm pull consistent you will get a neat edge. but not excessively. This creates a stitch around the long loop.

Once the long loop is all covered, pass the thread back through a few stitches to secure and allow the end to be hidden when cut.

Thanks for taking a look at my update and site.

Deb (The Dizzy Tyke)

Category: How To

How to start top down triangular shawl ….

How to make button loops….