This is the final part of our 3 part series.
Things that may make life easier when knitting:
1.
- Try to have no distractions, like the TV or visiting grandchildren, it is very easy to lose your place on a pattern or count rows on items this small.
2.
- If you drop a stitch it is easier to start again than to try to pick it up. This can be heartbreaking if you are casting (binding) off.
3.
- If you do manage to pick up the stitch, be aware that in these small scales dropped stitches that you do manage to pick up WILL ALWAYS show.
4.
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Knit in lighter colours to start with, dark colours will be easier when you are more experienced.
5.
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Make sure you have good light to work in, it is easier to see the stitches.
6.
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Place a cloth in a contrast colour on your lap or table so the stitches show up better.
7.
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Treat miniature knitting as a new skill rather than thinking as you can already knit it will be easy enough to cope with – for most people miniature knitting will be really difficult at first.
8.
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BE PATIENT and don’t expect instant results, remember when you were learning to knit, even working simple stitches was difficult!
9.
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Always keep your hands clean, as when an item is washed it may go out of shape, shrink, grow, discolour or lose any commercial mothproofing added to the yarn.
10.
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Don’t be tempted to use acrylic yarn if the pattern says wool or cotton, the design will not look the same when it is finished.
11.
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Don’t be tempted to buy cheap wool because you get a huge hank of it for the same price as a tiny skein of mothproofed wool. Some 1-ply wool designed for human clothes is not strong enough to use in miniature knitting
12.
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If using pure wool, make sure it is commercially mothproofed (tapestry yarns are mothproofed by the manufacturer). It can be heartbreaking to find a piece of knitting you spent hours doing and put on display has been attacked by moths. If you cannot find mothproofed yarns then hide some lavender flowers as close as possible to your knitting, this will deter (but not prevent) moths.
13.
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If you are not sure yarn you have is the right thickness then look at our yarn comparison pages before you start work.
14.
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This is supposed to be fun, if it becomes a chore give up and admit defeat, but be warned this hobby is very addictive if you succeed.
You should now be ready to embark on any miniature knitting project that takes your fancy. If you need help with specific areas such as colour work, lace, etc we have guides for these too in our Hints and Tips section.
If you missed the previous blogs in this 3 part series: Part 2, Part 1.