WHAT IS AN ENGLISH ELASTIC KNITTING?

WHAT IS AN ENGLISH ELASTIC KNITTING?

Knitting, this meditative, soothing activity, has been well known and practiced for a long time, all over the world ... or almost everywhere. The years of its development and its practical application have given the opportunity to invent many ways of knitting. As a result, many but well-established knits are known today, known to all who practice this activity. Of course, there are also varieties of basic knitting, which makes knitting a real creative process that is constantly changing and evolving.
Now we are talking about elastic knits - a type of fairly well-knitted knits, which in turn are also characterized by a huge variety. Elastic knits (elastic) are American, English, French, Bulgarian, transverse, bamboo and many others.

Here we will tell in particular about the knitting English elastic. It is quite common and can even be said to be one of the main types of knitting that everyone knows. Even people who don't understand knitting know what it is. Ask your acquaintances - you will see that I am right.

You will easily recognize that something is woven using the English elastic technique. Such knitting is super elastic, can be defined as airy and lively to the touch. The good thing about it is also that it creates a very voluminous knit, and this is a sought-after effect in many knits. Therefore, it is successfully used in knitting scarves, hats, sweaters, vests and more. For sweaters and cardigans it creates the feeling of fluff and warmth; for scarves - you can easily achieve great length because of its stretch; and with hats, there is no need to worry about hitting the size, because it provides a lot of flexibility so that the hat will fit even if you think it will be small. And last but not least - knitting is done with two identical faces, so feel free: you can wear it and vice versa.
All these characteristics of knitting English elastic makes it extremely appropriate when knitting in this technique, to use natural yarns, such as wool and merino. So we will certainly achieve this special effect of knitting and even strengthen it. Regarding the needles used - because of the many cloaks that are used to keep the knit from stretching too much, and to get clear and perfectly arranged stitches, it may be better to try knitting with smaller ones. needles. It may not be so, but in any case it is better to try.
The English elastic is a very interesting knitting, it predisposes the knitters to get quite involved in the process and to fully enjoy it. If, on the other hand, it seems to some that the English elastic is a rather complicated and confusing way of knitting, below you will find the basic techniques for its application. They will provide you with the necessary peace of mind, a pleasant feeling and a creative impulse when knitting.

HOW MANY HOOKS DO YOU KNIT ENGLISH ELASTIC AND BASIC TECHNIQUES

This technique can be performed on both two and one hook. There is disagreement about whether crochet is as beautiful as two crochet. But we will tell about it below. Now read about the varieties of knitting on two hooks.
Briefly about the technique:
When knitting, a cloak and a transferred stitch are applied. In order to get more arranged stitches, it is good to knit the facial stitches, as with the right needle it is hired from the working thread from above. The beginning of the knitting is most often ordinary or Bulgarian, and in order for the knitting to be symmetrical, we use an odd number of stitches.
Just as there is a huge variety of knitting, the ways of knitting an English elastic are also different.

TECHNIQUE WITH WEAVING OF FACIAL STITCHES

I row: Elastic 1x1 cloaks are made so that the stitches are arranged on the right needle with the front halves to the right.
Row II: A cloak is placed on top of each wrap stitch. The reverse stitches are not knitted, but only transferred, with the right needle gripping the front half of the reverse stitch and the thread at the front. The facial stitches are knitted facial, using the right needle to grasp the front half of the stitch from left to right and make a cape on top.
Row III: A cloak is placed on top of each wrap stitch. The reverse stitch is transferred with the thread in front without knitting. The cloak and the facial stitch are knitted together as one facial stitch, with the right needle gripping the front half of the stitch from left to right.
The third row is repeated until the end of knitting.
Or the technique in short: The same row is always repeated, in which two stitches alternate - one is removed without knitting with a cloak, and the other is knitted front. The removed stitch is easy to see, as well as the alternation of one single stitch (knitted front) and one double stitch (removed with a cape). Or at the end of each row, the last is always the knitted facial stitch. Accordingly, it becomes the first on the new line and is removed with a cloak. You don't have to remember any of this. The rule is simple: where there is a single stitch, it must be removed with a cloak to become a double, and where there is a double stitch, you must knit it as a facial. And so with each stitch on each row. It's easy! Try it!  

TECHNIQUE WITH WRAPPING OF WRAPPED STITCHES

I row: 1x1 eraser
Row II: A cloak is placed on top of each facial stitch. The front stitch is not knitted, only transferred, and the right half of the stitch is attached with the right needle. The wrapping stitch is knitted as a wrapping.
3rd row: A cloak is placed on top of each facial stitch. The front stitch is transferred without knitting, as the working thread is at the back and the back half of the front stitch is caught. The cloak and the packing stitch are knitted together as one packing stitch.
Or the technique in a nutshell: Here knitting happens in the same way, the difference being that the facial stitches are replaced by opaque ones. Nothing complicated, right?

EQUIPMENT WITHOUT COVERS

I row: 1x1 elastic
Row II: Each wrap stitch from the bottom row is knitted wrap. Each facial stitch is knitted as a drawn facial stitch (the right facial stitch is not attached to the right needle, but the one below it in the bottom row). Knit the two stitches as they are on top of each other, as one front and release the left needle.
The second row is repeated until the end of knitting.

There are different ways to knit an English elastic band. In addition to the basic techniques described, here are some variations:

FISHING ERASTIC TECHNIQUE

This technique does not use cloaks and stitches, but also alternates two stitches on each row, one knitting front and the other - front in the bottom row. Interestingly, this is still the effect of the cloak, although it is not made. In appearance, the fishing elastic does not differ from the English. The main difference is that this knit is a little tighter and more even. The reason is that there are no cloaks, and the effect is obtained by removing the stitch from the top row on the one from the bottom row, which is knitted as a front. In addition, the fishing elastic knit a little faster. It may be a better and more pleasant knitting technique for some. Try it!

TECHNIQUE SEMI-ENGLISH ELASTIC WITH COVERING AND WEAVING IN THE LOWER ROW
The semi-English elastic is distinguished by the fact that on one side the knit is a classic English elastic, and on the other side it is embossed and quite interesting in appearance. Knitting knitted using this technique is also quite elastic, but compared to the classic technique it is still tighter and more gathered, which can be an interesting desired effect.
When we apply this technique with the use of cloaks, on the side we knit according to the classic technique, two stitches alternate - one is removed with a cloak, and the other is knitted front. On the other side it is knitted like an ordinary 1x1 elastic - one wrap, one front, but the cloaks, which are on the front stitches, are knitted together with them as one front stitch.
If we decide to apply the technique of knitting the bottom row, the packaging side will be a little more relaxed. The characteristic here again is that on one side it is knitted almost like a classic fishing elastic, and on the other - like an ordinary elastic.
Therefore, if you are wondering which of the two to choose (cloaks or bottom row) - choose the one that is more comfortable, pleasant for knitting and you find more beautiful. Whatever you decide to apply, you will surely get two very different and very beautiful and unique sides of knitting. And if you decide to try all sorts of techniques - make two knits. This way you will be able to find out what your technique is.
 

TECHNIQUE TWO-COLOR ENGLISH ELASTIC

Here we come to the most complex technique in terms of types of English elastic. Or so it is defined by most people. That is why it is good to describe it in detail. Assuming that the two colors we use are white and red, white will stand out on one side and red on the other. This effect is generally obtained by vertical pillars on one side with white facial stitches and on the other with red stitches. Knit the first 4 rows, and then repeating them will be quite easy. Another feature of the two-tone English elastic, without which the technique cannot be performed, is that needles with two open ends or with a hoop should be used when the knitting is wider. Each color is knitted in 1 row and so sometimes the two threads remain at both ends of the knitting. To change the color, the knitting must slide to the other end and continue with the other color. Does it sound confusing? Maybe so, but try it - you will gradually feel that in fact the technique is very easy and pleasant, and the effect is remarkable! It is very likely that this will become your favorite technique!


 

TECHNIQUE ENGLISH ELASTIC IN A CIRCLE

Yes, and there is such a technique. With it, knitting begins as with the classic English elastic band with cloaks. Once the first row is completed and the second begins, the knitting is not reversed. Or - knit Row 1 of the classic scheme for English elastic with facial stitches and Row 1, but by changing the place of the two stitches from the scheme of the English elastic with reverse stitches. One wonders who came up with such a thing, but the fact is - the knitting becomes very beautiful again.

And here's what happens if you use a hook.
Whatever you think, the classic technique of knitting an English elastic band requires the use of two hooks. This makes knitting easy, pleasant and you get knits that always look beautiful and interesting. Of course, since knitting is a creative process in which new and new methods are constantly being tried - yes, an English elastic band can also be crocheted. Well, the result is not quite the same, but still with good will you can get a good and beautiful result. Crochet is very easy. The knit is formed by alternating the same row, knitted only with half-fillings in each loop. You are already advanced in the subject and I am sure you will understand how to do it!
 

SOME IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THE ENGLISH ELASTIC, WHICH IS GOOD TO KNOW

The main thing with the English elastic technique is that the knit is quite stretchy. To avoid tightening and stretching the lower edge, it is good to make the initial stitches with a thread of two parts, in two or three layers, on both needles.
Knitting with an English elastic band is very likely to deform at the bottom. To deal with this problem, it is good to start with one or more rows of plain 1x1 elastic, hollow, twisted elastic or some other knit.