Time and Stitches: Navigating the Pace of No Needles Knitting Techniques

In the world of no needles knitting, one of the most intriguing aspects is the variety of techniques available. Each one has its own unique benefits and challenges.

In this post, we’ll explore how factors such as –

• Technique timing,
• Yarn thickness
• Project size can impact the time required to complete your no needles knitting projects.

No needles knitting techniques and time

How long does it take to make something using no needles knitting techniques. And the answer is that it depends on a lot of factors. Your experience. The yarn. The technique itself. What you are making. How often you have to start again (especially on a knitting machine)!

Let’s have a look at these now.

Your experience of no needles knitting techniques

Your level of experience and familiarity with the technique will impact your speed and efficiency. As a beginner, things will obviously take much longer. You are learning the new steps and how the yarn works in different ways. But saying that, some techniques such as finger knitting are so easy to pick up. Kids can do finger knitting and make some cool decorative items in 20 minutes, such as this decorative snake.

Yarn thickness

The thickness of your yarn can also play a significant role in the time required to complete a knitting project. Chunky yarns knit up quickly, making them ideal for fast-paced projects like arm knitting. Thinner yarns, on the other hand, may require more time and precision. This is especially true when working with intricate stitch patterns or smaller projects. Consider the thickness of your yarn when planning your project, keeping in mind how it will affect both the appearance and the time commitment involved.

An example is with loom knitting. If you use a thin yarn it will take much longer to knit a beanie hat than it would with a chunky yarn. Arm knitting is the same as the thicker the yarn you use the quicker it takes to knit up.

The no needles knitting techniques

No needles knitting encompasses a range of techniques, each with its own pace and rhythm. Arm knitting, for example, is known for its speed, allowing you to create chunky blankets and scarves in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional knitting needles. On the other hand, loom knitting tends to be more time-consuming, as each stitch must be carefully woven on the loom. Understanding the timing of different techniques can help you choose the approach that best fits your project timeline and personal preferences.

Another point to note is that if you want to sell your projects, you might want to choose techniques create projects quicker so that you get your true worth. If something takes longer to make, your hourly rate will be compromised which might make the finished article not worth selling. Making something as a gift however, is different as you are making it for a friend or colleague, so there is no profit involved, just a sense of accomplishment.

The size and detail of project you are working on

The size and detail of your project is another important factor to consider when estimating the time required for completion. Larger projects, such as blankets or sweaters, naturally take longer to knit than smaller items like hats or scarves. But again this links to the techniques you are using. A beanie hat made on a circular knitting machine will take much less time than a beanie hat made on a knitting loom.

Additionally, more intricate designs or stitch patterns may add to the time required, as each detail requires careful attention and precision.

I made a gorgeous cowl from organic cotton yarn on my circular knitting machine. Actually I made 2; one was just using the machine as it was, just cranking until I had the length I wanted. The other one was a lot more complicated, using a technique called the trailing ivy method. It looks amazing, but probably took me twice the time it did to make the basic cowl.

Be realistic about the time commitment involved in your project, and plan accordingly to avoid feeling overwhelmed or rushed.

Mistakes happen!

Sometimes things can wrong. I have made numerous mistakes in my no needles knitting journey. I have missed a loom stitch before, and had to go back and sort it out. One of my circular machine knittings got caught up as I had the tension wrong. I remember I was arm knitting with 3 strands of wool together as one strand, and missed one of the strands when I was arm knitting a row, so had to go back and re-do it.

This hat is one of my earliest makes on a circular knitting machine. can you see the slightly misjudged length and the fact that the hat is actually round the wrong way! I actually decided to donate this hat to charity as I didn’t want to re-do it.

So, as we can see, all of this takes time. Time to sort out and re-do. But it is all part of the learning process for me, and as I get to know more yarns and more techniques I will know what works and what doesn’t work.

External factors

At any one time there will be distractions and interruptions that will stop your flow. This can be tricky, especially when you are creating something chunky like an arm knitted blanket. Ideally you go to the loo before you start such a project, but there are ways that you can deal with this, such as putting your stitches on a length of metal or wood to hold them until you are ready to carry on again.

I was doing some finger knitting just before dinner, and then got called for dinner, so perhaps I shouldn’t have started the project when I did, as I had to take it to the dinner table with me.

Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process, knowing that each stitch brings you one step closer to completing your masterpiece.

Final thoughts

No needles knitting offers a world of creative possibilities, from the rapid pace of arm knitting to the meticulous detail of loom knitting and everything in between. By understanding the timing and intricacies of different techniques, as well as considering factors such as yarn thickness, project size, and personal preferences, you can navigate the pace of your knitting projects with confidence and ease.

Embrace the journey, savouring each stitch as you bring your vision to life one stitch at a time.

Stay in touch and grab my 3 Easy No Needles Knitting Techniques FREE digital download here.