Вязание всегда было, остается и, наверное, еще will long be one of the most beloved and most popular types of women's needlework. Agree that it is akin to magic: using sticks (knitting needles, crochet hook, fork) to turn a long thread into a whole canvas. And not just a canvas, but one that can become anything: from socks or booties for babies to a chic sofa blanket or bedspread for a double bed. It would seem that everything is already known about knitting. And everything that can be invented has already been invented. However, there are very young techniques, for example, freeform - knitting without rules. But we will talk about an old, but little-known knitting technique, patchwork. No one will tell you whether this style developed independently, or appeared as an analogue of the textile technique of patchwork sewing. And it does not matter. What is important is that the things created in this style are strikingly different from any other knitwear. Once knitted patchwork is done, craftswomen will forever remain fans of this amazing technique. And it is not at all the simplicity of knitting patchwork. On the contrary, only experienced knitters can do it! However, the idea itself is so simple and straightforward that you wonder how such complex and interesting things are created. By the way, knitted patchwork is represented by far from one single technique. Patchwork-style items are knitted with knitting needles and crochet hooks, and various methods of creating patchwork fabric are used for this.
Feature of knitting patchwork
What distinguishes this style from other traditional onesTechnique (Tunisian crochet, Scandinavian patterns, etc., etc.) using the technique of connecting individual elements into a single fabric. That is, knitted squares, diamonds, triangles are knitted separately or sequentially, becoming a single whole. This technique is related to textile patchwork only by the use of elements of strict geometric shapes or symmetrical ornamental figures (flowers, stars). This feature also distinguishes this style from freeform (knitting technique without rules), where elements of arbitrary shape and size are used. And another characteristic feature of patchwork knitting can be considered the ability to work with both knitting needles and a crochet hook. Moreover, in both cases, smooth knitting, openwork or relief patterns are used for patchwork knitted fabric. Knitted patchwork fabric can be knitted in various ways, which determine the type of knitting in the patchwork style.
Modular knitting
The simplest and most constructive method is knowncalled "modular knitting". With this method, each new element is knitted from the edge loops of the previous part. That is, initially the loops are collected based on the size of one part, which becomes the basis of the entire fabric. And how exactly it will be placed in the whole fabric depends on the original idea. You can knit each new element progressively (up and to the side), placing the first part in the corner of the fabric. You can knit in a spiral, placing the main element in the center and knitting it, increasing the fabric in all directions from the center. Using this method, they come up with a drawing (diagram) of the product on square paper in advance. According to this drawing, they determine the order of work and the direction of knitting. This method was officially patented in the forties of the last century by Virginia Bellamy, who called this technique "numerical knitting". She also introduced the concept of "elementary square". So modular knitting involves the use of square parts knitted with knitting needles for knitted patchwork.
Crochet patchwork
Crochet patchwork is more eleganttechnique than modular knitting. This technology knits individual elements of any geometric shape (squares, circles, triangles), which are then connected into a single piece using the same hook. At first glance, the technique is much simpler: crochet multi-colored patches, and then connect them into one whole, laying out a pattern or ornament. On the other hand, this technique requires more painstaking work, but it also gives many more opportunities for “drawing” patterns. Crocheted parts are denser and hold their shape better. So connecting them to each other is, in general, easy, but subject to sufficient crochet experience. In addition, the elements themselves can be made multi-colored and patterned, due to which the patchwork fabric turns out brighter and “cheerful”.
Enterlak
Another variety of patchwork.A very interesting, quite old technique, outwardly similar to ordinary knitted patchwork. At first glance, things knitted using the enterlak technique seem to be woven from separate long knitted strips. And the enterlak pattern itself is more like real weaving. However, using this technique, you get a whole-knitted fabric. And, interestingly, individual elements in enterlak products are knitted without breaking the thread. If the method of numerical knitting is used in modular patchwork, then enterlak is a method of patchwork knitted in a partial way (partial knitting). The pattern itself can be two-color or one-color and consists of geometric shapes, as in traditional patchwork. And despite the complexity of this technique, it turns out to be very convenient, since the fabric comes out whole-knitted, and in case of an error it is easy to unravel, keeping the threads intact. Knitting in the enterlak technique is performed in the longitudinal, transverse or diagonal direction. When knitting a pattern, it is divided into separate sections (elements), and the knitting needles are alternately inserted and removed from the work, changing the direction of knitting. Here, in fact, are all the basic patchwork knitting techniques. What are you better at, knitting needles or a crochet hook? Try to master patchwork using the tools that are more familiar to you. However, it is never too late to start learning knitting with knitting needles or a crochet hook. Moreover, you can master not just knitting, but a special technique of knitted patchwork fabric - knitted patchwork. Go for it, and you will succeed! We recommend reading:
