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Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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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, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. 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 (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone isn’t cooperating, but it could be worse! How’s your day? 
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(If we haven’t yet met, I’m Heidi and I’m a pattern designer and tutorial creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting & latch hook. You can learn more about my work and regularly find new tutorials in my profile. ☺️👋🏻)
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#handsoccupied #craftstudio #knitter #yarncrafter
How to knit a one-row buttonhole 🧶 . Sweater k How to knit a one-row buttonhole 🧶 
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Sweater knitters, listen up! Learn how to knit a buttonhole over the course of a single row of knitting, a.k.a. a one-row buttonhole. In this technique, a combination of binding off and casting on stitches on opposite sides of the work creates a symmetrical, stretchy buttonhole. 
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The time limit on these is 90 seconds, so this quick tutorial is perfect to save for future reference. (Did you know you can make folders of saved items like tutorials? 👩🏼‍🏫) 
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If you’re brand new to the technique or want to see this demonstration slower and more in-depth, my bl0g and You/2be are the place to be. Thanks for watching & let me know if you have any questions or requests for future tutorials in the comments. ☺️
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#handsoccupied #knitting #onerowbuttonhole #learntoknit #sweaterknitting #knittutorial #knitting_inspiration
One-row buttonholes are one of a few common ways t One-row buttonholes are one of a few common ways to knit a buttonhole. Created using a combination of binding off and casting on stitches over the course of a single row, this technique is one you’ll come back to again and again, and bonus: it’s not wildly challenging. 
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Find a brand new video tutorial for knitting one-row buttonholes and a post with other useful buttonhole resources on the bl0g, 🔗 in bi0.
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#handsoccupied #onerowbuttonhole #knitting #sweaterknitting #buttonhole #knittersofinstagram
It was quiet last week as I’ve been working on a It was quiet last week as I’ve been working on a few behind the scenes projects, including filming a bunch. The goal: tutorials most weeks!
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I also put some time into neglected design projects, in particular the pattern collection I began working on back in 2022. As I work on the samples, you’ll be seeing some sneak peeks here and there in my feed. ☺️
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The other thing occupying my time: I got an iPad to try digital planning and keep my design notes more organized, not to mention digitized. (Paper scribbling just ain’t it after 12 years.) If anyone has tips for how to make the most of digital planning as a crafter / knitter, I’d love to hear them! Accounts to follow, apps, must-know hacks for crafters - I’m excited to learn it all! 👩🏼‍🏫
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