Fiber Art
Fiber art refers to fine art whose material consists of natural or synthetic fiber and other components, such as fabric or yarn. It focuses on the materials and on the manual labor on the part of the artist as part of the works' significance. |
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KNITTING
To knit, you need two needles. (Please get two separate needles - the needles that are connected with a plastic wire seem like a good idea but they are very difficult to use for beginners.) The size of the needle is based on the thickness of the yarn. The thinner the yarn, the smaller the suggested needle. All skeins suggest a needle size on the label. (see below) |
CROCHET
To crochet, you only use one hook. The size of the hook is based on the thickness of the yarn. The thinner the yarn, the smaller the suggested hook. All skeins suggest a hook size on the label. (see below) |
FAQs
Which is easier, knitting or crochet?
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Walmart, Michaels, Joanne's, Hobby Lobby and Ben Franklin Craft Stores carry Fiber Arts supplies. Locally, Friends and Fiber on Main Street in Downtown LaGrange offers Fiber arts supplies although they tend to cater to the more advanced artist - thus supplies cost a little more. Needles + yarn will generally cost about $7-$10. If you can not purchase these supplies due to monetary constraints, PLEASE talk to Ms. G ASAP and she will make sure you have what you need.
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Knitting
Crochet
Let's Begin!
Please follow the appropriate column.
Basics Stitches
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Basics Stitches
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Knitting
Knitting requires that you work a row of stitches from needle to needle. SO, let's get the yarn on your needle! This is called "casting on." There are many ways to do this. The video below shows you how to cast on using the "backward loop" method. A more traditional method is the long-tail cast on. Check it out below!
Yea! You have stitches on your needle! Let's begin with the most basic stitch - the knit stitch.
For some people, it can be hard to keep switching the working needle from hand to hand. You may want to try the continental method of knitting.
Practice this stitch for a bit. Pull out your work and cast on 10-15 stitches (10 for thick yarn, 15 for thin yarn) using the cast-on method of your choice. Work in k (or knit stitch) for 2 inches then show Mrs. G for CHECKPOINT 1
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Crochet
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Additional Stitches
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(optional)
Some of you will stay with basic stitches. That is okay. Keep working!
However, if you feel you have mastered basic stitches, try moving on to some different stitches.
However, if you feel you have mastered basic stitches, try moving on to some different stitches.
Knitting
Although the entire craft is called knitting, the actual knit stitch is just one type of stitch. The other basic stitch used in knitting is the Purl Stitch. Give it a shot! Instructional videos for both English knitting and Continental Knitting are provided below. Chose whichever you are most comfortable with. Practice. Continue with your work, knitting a row, then purling a row; switching back and forth between knit stitch and purl stitch every row.
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Crochet
A variation on the single crochet stitch is the double crochet stitch. Try this: Some patterns call for a half double crochet. Check it out:
Another common variation is the triple crochet (AKA the treble crochet). Try this:
Practice. Continue with your work, crochet a row in single crochet, then one row in half double crochet, then one row in double crochet, then start the pattern over again.
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Make a Scarf!
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Okay! Let's make a scarf! Go to Overviews>Visual Art>Fiber Arts Patterns.
Finishing
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Once your scarf has reached the desired length, you need to secure your yarn so it doesn't come unraveled, this is called, "binding off." After you have secured your stitches, do NOT cut off the extra yarn at the beginning and end of your scarf! It WILL come undone. Instead you must "weave in the ends."
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Once your scarf has reached the desired length, you need to secure your yarn so it doesn't come unraveled, this is called, "binding off." After you have secured your stitches, do NOT cut off the extra yarn at the beginning and end of your scarf! It WILL come undone. Instead you must "weave in the ends."
Knitting
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Crochet
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Fiber Arts in the REAL WORLD: I was at the St. James Art Fair and had the opportunity to speak with fiber artist Sharon Tesser (or rather her husband). Her work is amazing: she uses only fabric and charcoal pencil to outline shapes. Check it out!
YARN BOMB!
YARN BOMB!