It is easy to design your own pictures and motifs for knitting. This article explains how to do this, starting with a simple motif and building up to a more complex motif when you're ready.
Steps
-
Select the number of stitches that the work will need. It helps to choose a convenient number of stitches to repeat, such as 10.
- Sketch out a motif using a pencil on graph paper. Use curved lines as needed - the design is free-flowing at this stage.
- - the next step will be to graph it. Use an eraser to remove any errors until you are happy with the design.
- Square up the free flowing design. Follow the most obvious graph squares and put a cross in each square that permits outlining and infill of your design.
- Adjust as necessary to make sure it looks squared and still resembles the motif that you want to knit.
- Copy the squared motif a few more times in a row to get an idea of the spacing required. If you find that the spacing between the motifs is too great, for example, 6 stitches or more, add a fill-in pattern between each motif. Suitable fill-ins can be lines, crosses, shapes, V's, etc. Their purpose is to reduce the number of stitches a color has to carry across the back.
- Make a sampler. This might seem like extra work, but it is worth it to see whether or not the motif will work. Knit a 30-stitch sampler. If it works, great - go ahead. If not, back to the drawing board.
-
Make adjustments to the graph as needed and make another sampler. Samplers can be used for small craft projects such as pin cushions, doll's clothing, etc.
Things You'll Need
- Graph paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Spare yarn
- Knitting needles
