If you are looking for a way to personalize your knitted items (beanie, cardigan, scarf, etc.), here's a simple embroidering method for you!
How can you embroider your name or your loved one's name to a hand-knitted item? Some people prefer knitting different colors to form a name or initial (using techniques like Fair Isle or Intarsia). Others opt to embroider onto a finished knitting. Which method is better? The answer depends on your design. Each technique has its pros and cons.
Let's delve into a few basic points here.
| Fair Isle or Intarsia | Embroidery on knit |
Suggested Level | Advanced level | Beginner level |
Method | Knit with two or more colors of yarn | Knit with a single yarn, embroider afterward |
Time | Takes longer time to knit | Takes short time to knit |
Outlook | Flat and smooth surface | Convex surface |
Tension | Easier to control the tension | Need some practices to control the tension of the embroidery |
To correct a mistake | More difficult to correct a mistake | Easier to correct a mistake |
So, if you decide to embroider your design on the knit, read below. I will show you how to create a simple letter.
If you want to get the knitting pattern of this Initial Christmas Doll Hat, please follow the link below.
Duplicated stitch (Beginner friendly)
There are various methods to embroider on knits, and this time, I'll share the duplicated stitch technique. It's easy to handle as we are actually duplicate the same stitch on the knit. This technique creates pixel-like letters or other patterns, adding a unique and visually interesting dimension to your knitwork.
You can download the free pattern of this letter embroidery here.
Before you begin, it's crucial to understand that a stitch can be created with the loop facing down (point going down) or the opposite (point going up). Both are made in the same way but in the opposite direction, resulting in a slightly different appearance for the letters you create.
You can refer to the letters shown in the previous photo. A-P are created with points going down, while M-Z are created with points going up. And yes, I admit I might have mixed up the order of the letters in the middle—oops! 😄
Let's started!
Prepare your material and tools.
Yarn in different color
*Yarn size should be same as or bigger than the yarn size of your knitting, so that the embroidery can cover your knitwork.
yarn needle
scissors
*I am going to demonstrate the letter "B" with stitches pointing down. It's easier to start from the bottom. If you choose the opposite, start the embroidery from the top.
Step 1) Point the needle at the right bottom corner from the back.
Step 2) Leave a tail on the backside.
Step 3) Follow the direction of the loop of the knitwork.
Step 4) Continue to make stitches to the end on this row.
Step 5) Point the needle to the second row.
Step 6) Now, we need to create a stitch farther away. However, if you prefer not to show the embroidery color from the back, there are a few options:
Skip for now and come back to it later when the needle is nearby.
Start a new thread in that area.
Guide the needle through the back to reach that point. (I will show you here.)
Step 7) Guide the needle through the back as shown until you reach that point. Stretch your knitwork a bit to ensure the yarn is not tightening the knitwork.
Step 8) Now, we have the yarn at the correct place. Continue to create the letter.
Step 9) Don't miss any stitches.
Important: Point the needle in the direction of the next stitch to create a smooth loop. For example, if you're stitching from left to right, always point your needle to the right. This ensures that the yarn flows consistently in one direction, contributing to a neater finish.
Step 10) Last two stitches.
Step 11) Weave in all loose ends.
Finished!
Tips for embroidering name on knitting
There are no strict rules for embroidery—it depends on the design. You'll need to adjust your approach accordingly.
Pay attention to the tension of the embroidery; it won't look nice if it's too tight or too loose.
For this technique, it's easier to embroider when you follow the flow of the knits—from the bottom to the top. Point the needle in the direction of the next stitch.
It's really a great and simple technique for everyone to create names on your knitwear or hand knitted gifts. Try this out today!
Don't forget to follow my Instagram to see my latest work.
