Defining knitting

Well, here on the tiny isle of Mayne life is grand. The sun is shining and things in the blog world seem to be running smoothly (knock on wood).

So what exactly is hand knitting?
Merriam Webster's definitions:
Knitting: to form a fabric by interlacing yarn or thread in connected loops with needles.
Loops: a fold or doubling of a line leaving an aperture between the parts through which another line can be passed.
These loops were made by finger knitting (http://www.kidscanmakeit.com/AC0023.htm)
which should not be confused with hand knitting. More on the different methods of knitting in future posts.

Stitch: one of the series of loops formed by or over a needle.

Making the loops in one "direction" will create a knit stitch. This is what the knit stitch looks like when worked in a Stockinette stitch pattern (knit on one side, purl on the other)

Making the loops in the other "direction" will create a purl stitch. This is what the purl stitch looks like when worked in a Stockinette stitch pattern (knit stitch on one, purl on the other).
The Crafts Association of British Columbia's web site (http://www.cabc.net/mem-sect/fibre.html) offers the following definition of knitting: knitted cloth is made from continuous thread, looped around itself. It can be made either by hand using knitting needles, or by machine. A wide range of fibres can be knitted for different effects.
Remain continually looped: knit. : )

Next post: Hand knitting's next of kin.