Techniques

Find Washing Instructions for Handmade Toys Here

This page is ever-changing, more resource links will be added as I add patterns. Please let me know if you find links that don’t work. Stitch Diva Studios has a outstanding collection of illustrated tutorials. If you are looking for my tip videos and list of abbreviations, scroll to the very bottom.

  • bar increases (of all kinds)
  • All you could ever want to know about increases.
  • grafting, graft (Kitchener stitch) The link is to a video. Written instructions can be found further down this list.
  • knit cast on (video and line drawings)
  • knit cast on again (and some others)
  • Middle Eastern Cast On – my closed cast on of choice
  • mattress stitch absolutely invaluable for seaming sweaters and toys (this is a Knitty article)
  • working on double pointed needles
  • duplicate stitch
  • easy alphabet chart – to use with duplicate stitch
  • number charts – a bunch of type styles to choose from. These are really for cross stitch, but they work for duplicate stitch too.
  • embroidery tutorials – photographic tutorials for some common embroidery stitches (including French knots and satin stitch) that are useful for embroidering faces on toys
  • French knots (video)
  • more French knots (pictures)
  • even more French knots – I like the pictures for this one.
  • Just can’t make the French knot work? Cheat. Tie a knot as large as you’d like in the center of the strand. Position the knot on the head and draw both tails (Through separate stitches or you’ll lose the knot inside the toy’s head!) through the head from the top.
  • satin stitch (embroidery – really great with pictures and embellishments)
  • more embroidery videos
  • stitch diagrams for needlework stitches
  • Many of the noses are the upper portion of an Algerian eyelet stitch
  • Fringe! – Step-by-Step with pictures. For Sweeties hair, you can skip the part about making a bunch of strands all the same length.
  • i-cord
  • kitchener stitch (grafting, graft)
    Pull the yarn snug but not tight after each of these stitches:
    Draw yarn purlwise through the first stitch on the front needle and leave that stitch on the needle.
    Draw yarn purlwise through the first stitch on the back needle and remove that stitch from the needle.
    Draw yarn knitwise through the new first stitch on the back needle and leave that stitch on the needle.
    Draw yarn knitwise through the first stitch on the front needle and remove that stitch from the needle.
    Draw yarn purlwise through the new first stitch on the front needle and leave that stitch on the needle.
    Draw yarn purlwise through the first stitch on the back needle and remove that stitch from the needle.
    Draw yarn knitwise through the new first back stitch and leave on.
    Draw yarn knitwise through the first front stitch and remove.
    And so on and so forth until all of the stitches have been removed from the needles.
  • Beading Tips and Tricks Including how to get them onto yarn with a beading needle instead of a yarn needle. Clever and frustration saving.

My Toy Making Tip Videos
How I shape a face (video – youtube) Also known as: “What am supposed to do with those main color strands!?”
How I work a Sweeties Hand Bobble or foot or joined hand. (video – youtube)
How I attach a Stuffed Animal Head I’m whispering because Ellie is napping. (video – youtube)

Standard Abbreviations
K – knit
P – Purl
S – slip
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
P2tog – purl 2 stitches together
SSK – (slip, slip, knit) Slip two stitches as if to knit, stick the point of the
left needle through the two slipped stitches in front of the right needle) and
knit them together.
WS – Wrong Side (of the work)
RS – Right Side (of the work)
M1, M1R -lift the strand between the stitches from back to front with the LH needle and knit
M1L -lift the strand between the stitches from front to back with the LH needle and knit it through the back loop
KFB – Knit through the front and back of the next stitch (another increase)
PSSO – pass slipped stitch over the last knit
stitch and drop off of the needle
S – slip one stitch purlwise
sts – stitches
yf – bring yarn to front of work
yb – bring yarn to back of work
YO – wrap yarn around the right-hand needle from back to front counterclockwise before knitting the next stitch (creates a hole)