How to Insert a Lifeline

They call it a lifeline for a good reason -- this knitting technique is great for when you're starting out knitting or if you're working on a particularly complicated pattern where you think you might make a mistake. It's essentially a "save" button for your knitting! For knitters (like the AllFreeKnitting staff) who are particularly paranoid about making mistakes, you have the option to insert lifelines as you go. This can be done to give yourself the option of frogging back at a later point in your work or simply to help you keep track of the number of rows you've done. And for those of you who knit by the seat of your pants, then you can also insert what's called an "afterthought lifeline." While it doesn't matter which method you choose, it should be noted that one downside to inserting lifelines as you go is that it can change the tension of your work. Inserting a lifeline before you complete the subsequent row will often expand your stitches slightly and will make that row stand out a bit once you remove the lifeline. This can be fixed with blocking, but who has the time for that! Get the full tutorial: https://www.allfreeknitting.com/video-basics/How-to-Insert-a-Lifeline Don’t Forget to Follow Us on Social Media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllFreeKnitting/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/allfreeknitting/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/allfreeknitting Instagram: https://instagram.com/all.free.knitting/ About AllFreeKnitting AllFreeKnitting.com is an all-inclusive knitting website and community that provides free knitting patterns, video tutorials, how to content, infographics, eBooks, and informational resources for yarn enthusiasts of all skill levels. We work with some of the best knit designers in the industry to deliver accessible content in an innovative manner. Our readers are mainly retired at-home knitters who enjoy budget-friendly knitting patterns they can make for their loved ones in a short amount of time. AllFreeKnitting.com readers love making handcrafted garments and accessories for themselves, as well as their family members, friends, and charity organizations. Some of our most popular content includes baby knitting patterns, scarves, hats, sweaters, and dishcloths. Our readers particularly enjoy quick and easy one-skein patterns and sentimental baby patterns such as knit blankets and booties.