This chapter is part of our Fearless Knitter Video Class. Click here to learn more.
Increasing and Decreasing
Let's take a break from scarves and purling to work on another very important aspect of knitting: increasing and decreasing.
There are many ways to do it, but increasing simply means adding more stitches to your needle to make your knitted project wider.
This is normally done just a few stitches at a time, so that as you knit, the project gradually and evenly gets wider.
Decreasing is just the opposite - by taking away stitches as you knit, your project gets narrower and narrower.
I'm going to introduce you to the most common of these stitches, the Yarnover, abbreviated "YO,” and the "Knit 2 Together,” abbreviated "K2tog.”
And we're going to learn and practice them on a great and fast project - the basic dishcloth.
This project starts out easy and gets more challenging as you go - it's perfect for advancing your skills while practicing the ones you've already learned.
Of course, we'll also practice some more-advanced pattern reading as well.
In order to get started, you're going to need to pick up some new yarn and needles, but don't worry - this project won't break the bank.
As you know, all good patterns lay out the materials, instructions, and any notes all in one standardized package.
It's important that you read over the pattern before you head to the yarn store, so that you know what you're looking for.
I'll walk you through what to get here, but just to get in the habit, please read over the following pattern.
