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Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

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How to Knit a Garter Tab

October 13, 2016 6 Comments

Learn how to work an easy garter stitch tab with this knitting video tutorial. This easy-to-master knitting technique is a staple among shawl knitters. You'll commonly find garter tabs used to cast on shawl patterns.

Let’s say you’ve always wanted to learn to knit a shawl but weren’t quite sure where to start. It took me 18 years (no really) to attempt my first shawl knitting project and when I finally did, I was shockingly surprised at how easy a basic shawl is to knit! Today, I’ve got a video for you to help you get through knitting a garter tab, something that forms the base of many shawl patterns.

For those of you participating in the Read Along Knit Along (what’s that? see here), the garter tab forms the foundation of the Other People’s Houses Shawl, the pattern we’re knitting as part of the knit along. It’s fun and easy, so if you’re in the market for your first ever beginner shawl, this would be a great time to try shawl knitting. :) 

Learn how to work an easy garter stitch tab with this knitting video tutorial. This easy-to-master knitting technique is a staple among shawl knitters. You'll commonly find garter tabs used to cast on shawl patterns.

Garter tabs are something that those new to knitting shawls may not have encountered before, but I promise they aren’t so bad once you wrap your brain around how they work. Whether or not you’ve got a shawl pattern you’re looking to tackle, here’s a less than 5 minute tutorial on how to master garter tabs that will have you cranking shawls out in no time:

Two beginner-friendly shawl patterns: Outlander Chevron Shawl / Other People’s Houses Shawl

Learn how to work an easy garter stitch tab with this knitting video tutorial. This easy-to-master knitting technique is a staple among shawl knitters. You'll commonly find garter tabs used to cast on shawl patterns.

The video above covers all you need to know to cast on your shawl with a garter tab, but if you get stuck or have any questions, let me know in the comments and I’m happy to assist! Shawls, as anachronistic as they may seem to some, are some of the most gorgeous pieces to knit out there, not to mention they’re beyond addictive. :)

Learn how to work an easy garter stitch tab with this knitting video tutorial. This easy-to-master knitting technique is a staple among shawl knitters. You'll commonly find garter tabs used to cast on shawl patterns.

Filed Under: Knit Along, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: garter stitch shawl, garter tab, garter tab cast on, kal, knit along, other peoples houses, ralkal, read along knit along, shawl knitting

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

Previous Post: « Other People’s Houses Shawl pattern / RALKAL Kickoff!!
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Comments

  1. Pattymac

    October 13, 2016 at 8:55 am

    OOOO I love the way you show this! Picking up stitches for a tab start to a shawl has always mystified me. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Lorene Frischknecht

    October 13, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    I watched the video for the knitted tab and thought it was very helpful. I always thought it was so perplexing previously. Thanks so much for sharing this video.

    Reply
  3. Diane Pierce

    October 15, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    Before the video I cast on and tried to knit the tab 6 times! Thanks for the video. Now if you could show us how to knit with markers and yarn overs correctly, that would also be great. My markers keep slipping under my yarn overs or something else is happening that messes up the stitch counts . Thanks, Heidi!

    Reply
  4. Marty Mack

    October 15, 2016 at 7:28 pm

    As always, you’re the best. Thanks

    Reply
  5. Patti Dobrowolski

    October 17, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    I am not clear what you did from step one til the starting point in the video

    Reply
    • Heidi

      October 17, 2016 at 11:31 pm

      I’m happy to help. Are you referring to something in particular when you say step one?

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

Professionally I’m most known for: advanced intarsia knitting design & modern latch hook design.

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Craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. / #latchhookbook out now!
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knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
A new YouTube tutorial is live today covering how A new YouTube tutorial is live today covering how to knit the Little Butterfly Stitch (aka Bowknot Stitch). It adds so much cute character to simple stockinette. Only a little funky to knit, and it packs a huge visual punch! 🦋 
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Find the video & written stitch pattern on the blog and YouTube, links are in bio. 
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#kpambassadorsfeb21 #sponsored
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Yarn: @kelbournewoolens Germantown in Baby Blue via @knit_picks. Needles: Prism Interchangeables, also from Knit Picks. 
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Pictured: a light blue swatch of Little Butterfly Stitch knitting on a pink background. A skein of yarn and a few stitches of knitting are nearby.
“You’re telling me words can be pronounced in “You’re telling me words can be pronounced in different ways and mean the same things?!” 👀 Posting this here, just to make it clear: when anyone says skayne, skeen, or skyne, it can be safely assumed we’re talking about a bundle o’ yarn,  a SKEIN. It’s not necessary to shame someone for using a word that is known to have MULTIPLE common pronunciations. 🧶
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Can you plz comment sharing how you say SKEIN and where you learned it? The OED happens to say SKAYNE, but it’s not a personal attack if someone says SKEEN and you say SKYNE or even Saskatoon. I’m legitimately curious. We don’t all knit or crochet the same way, and craft evolves a bit like language - it is passed on. There is so much value in having conversations about & embracing these variations! ✌🏻
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Pictured: A blond woman holds a skein of mustard yellow yarn up to her head like a phone, looking shocked. She’s wearing glasses & a knit sweater. 
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#handsoccupied #heidigustad #skein #yarn #yarncraft #knit #crochet #yarnaddict #knitincolor #soldotnacrop #language #englishisweird #oed #oxfordenglishdictionary
Sometimes my weekend projects involve hair rather Sometimes my weekend projects involve hair rather than yarn. Here’s the latest mediocre-but-improving result of my slow quest to learn to set vintage inspired curls. 💇🏼‍♀️ I’m hoping to be able to wash my hair less using a regular vintage set, but we’ll see if it ends up being practical. 😆 Hair frustrates me so much more than crafts! 
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Do you also style your hair using vintage methods? If you have any tips for vintage hair styling or good resources to share, please do!
I suppose this is one way to decide what yarn colo I suppose this is one way to decide what yarn color suits your pooch. 😆 Navy really might be Woodrow‘s color - what do you think? 
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Pictured: A medium sized, brown, senior dog asleep on a green bed. For some reason a donut ball of navy wool yarn sits on his head.
The first stitch tutorial of the new year is live The first stitch tutorial of the new year is live on YouTube! Diamond Brocade is a great knit+purl only stitch for beginners or anyone wanting a classic look for their knitting project. Find the video with a written stitch pattern on the blog or head directly to the video on YouTube. Both are linked in bio. ✌🏻 
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