How to pick up stitches

to knit a felted bag base

or a flat purse bottom

Here’s how to pick up stitches to knit a felted bag base used in many of our felting patterns. This method can also be used to pick up stitches for a knitted oblong flat purse bottom.

For the sake of clarity in the photos I’ve used two separate yarn colours. The pale blue represents the base of the bag, the red yarn is used to pick up stitches so you can see how they are formed. When you are using this method in your work you will in all probability be using the same colour for both sections.

I’m using a crochet hook to pick up the stitches instead of using another knitting needle. Why, it’s faster and easier. The crochet hook does not need to be the same size as your needles; any similar size will do as long as you can easily hook it round the yarn and pull it through the stitch to be made. Okay lets start.....

We start this lesson assuming that you have cable cast on as per your pattern instructions and have knitted the required number of rows to form the base.

Your pattern will now tell you how many stitches to pick up along the other 3 edges or sides.

In the example photographed - miniature for the sake of photo sizes - I cast on 20 stitches and knitted 15 rows garter stitch (all rows knit). I am now going to pick up -
7 stitches along the first short side,
20 stiches along the opposite long side
7 stitches along the second short side

This will give me a total of 54 stitches to make an oblong shape base.

Because I have so few stitches in this example I’m using a set of dpns (double pointed needles). You can use dpns or circular needle - the procedure is the same.

Let’s begin with our how to pick up stitches photos and instructions

Before we do let’s plan ahead so we know we have the correct number of “lumps” to turn into stitches. (Pick up lumps down the side edge, stitches along the opposite edge, and lumps along the third edge).

Count your lumps - do you have exactly the right number? If not you will need to remember to add extra stitches by picking up between the lumps, or skip the occasional lump if you have too many. Common sense will tell you where to do this so your picked up stitches look fairly evenly spaced.

With your last knitted stitch, and yarn on your right hand side, push your crochet hook from front-to-back through the centre of the closest “lump” .

Wrap your yarn round the hook (mine is red for these how to pick up stitches photos, yours would be the blue yarn you are working with).

Pull the hook, with the yarn around it, through to the front of your work

Place the loop (stitch you just made) onto your knitting needle and tension it, firm but not tight. (Note your stitch will be back to front at this stage. Not a problem you can either turn it now, or do as I do and knit into the back of all the stitches on your next knitted round - it’s faster). Repeat the above steps again until you have picked up 7 stitches (in our example) along this side.

For the long side of your bag you pick up into the loops that were formed by your cast on stitches. (20 stitches for this how to pick up stitches example). Then pick up 7 stitches (for our example) along the 2nd short edge.

You now have 54 stitches on your needles, and you can see the shape your base will be, don’t be concerned if it appears this method of how to pick up stitches make your base look a little lumpy, it will smooth out as you work more rows in the round.

It's also worth remembering if you are knitting to felt a bag your stitches will be very loose because you are using larger needles than recommended for your wool. Be assured if you follow this how to pick up stitches method your stitches will tighten and firm up during the bag felting process.

A few final comments

Check the direction of your stitches - if you didn’t turn your stitches as you placed them on your dpn they will be back to front, remember to knit or purl into the back of your picked up stitches when you work your next round. Following rows knit or purl as usual.

Are you an Australian, US or International knitter?

Why does it matter? Depending on your location you will have a different number of dpns in your set. If you’re in the US you will probably have 5 to a set (great thinking guys..) this of course means you will have 1 dpn for each side of your bag and 1 to knit with...easy.

If however you are in Australia, UK etc you probably only have 4 per set. Once you’ve picked up your stitches you’ll need to shuffle them around so you have the stitches spread across 3 needles, or use 2 sets, or use a circular needle instead.

Remember to place your row marker/stitch marker on your needle before you begin working the first round after picking up your stitches. Don’t have one? Cut a couple of cms or ins of a different coloured yarn, tie it to form a loop and pop that over your needle.

Practice, practice, practice....

Once you’ve practiced a little you will be able to wrap the yarn over and under the fingers on your left hand to keep the tension, use the crochet hook in your right hand, place the dpn upright between your knees - you’ll have the stitches picked up around your back base in a few minutes - it only takes a little practice.....enjoy.....

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