Knitwit® Tool Instructions

Scott O. Handy
Knit-Wit & Doodle-Loom

Knitwit® Tool InstructionsThe Knit-Wit tools create rosettes using a round tool or a square tool. Both tools work the same way, but each creates a distinctive look.

Before You Begin
Most types and weights of yarn will work with the Knit-Wit tools. The desired effect depends on the thickness of the yarn and the number of times it is wrapped around the tool.

In our illustrations, we will be making two loop petals. Many of the bulky weight yarns will only require one winding while the sport weight yarns and finer yarns may take three or more wrappings to get a thicker effect.

We recommend practicing before beginning any project. Create 2-3 test rosettes to ensure you're achieving the desired result. This is also a good rule of thumb when experimenting with new yarns and fibers.

Download basic instructions (pdf)

To see basic instructions in English, click here.

Para las instrucciones básicas en español, chasque aquí.

Pour des instructions de base en français, cliquetez ici.


Getting Started
Begin making rosettes by selecting the desired tool and turning the knob on the stem to extend the prongs. You will hear a click when the prongs have locked into position.

Think of the top of the Knit-Wit tools as a clock face. Looking at the prongs, start at the black prong in the twelve o'clock position then count one o'clock, two o'clock and so on. This will help you stay oriented with where to start and how to form petals of the rosette.

You may wish to use a permanent marker to mark the numbers on the top of the tool for additional help.

Knitwit® Tool Instructions - Making the PetalsI. Making the Petals
Begin at the six o'clock position by securing the yarn to the left side of the black prong, holding it down with your finger, leaving approximately a 2" end.

Take the yarn up and over the face of the clock to the left side of the black prong at the twelve o'clock position, wrapping around the prong from left to right and down to the six o'clock prong wrapping from right to left.

Now bring the yarn up and over to the left side of the silver prong at the one o'clock position, wrap it around from left to right and back down to the silver prong at the seven o'clock position wrapping from right to left.

Continue to rotate the yarn, winding it around each prong, alternating between black and silver prongs until a total of 12 petals have formed.

Repeat this process, completing the petals a second time, winding firmly but loosely enough so that it won't be difficult to release the rosette from the tool.

For a thicker, heavier look, wrap the yarn around the prongs several times before moving onto step two.

The square Knit-Wit tool is only slightly different from the round tool. Notice how the colors of the prongs alternate between black on each corner and silver on the sides. Still think of the top of the tool as a clock face. For either tool, begin by aligning the black prong in the six o'clock position to begin wrapping yarn.

Knitwit® Tool Instructions - Finishing the Center II. Finishing the Center
After completing the final rotation, you will start to see an opening forming in the center of the rosette. Cut the length of yarn attached to the rosette, leaving about 28 inches or more and thread your needle. This length may vary depending on the type of yarn you use and the number of times you wrap the yarn around the tool.

Place your finger on the yarn to anchor it where you completed the final loop of the petals. Insert the threaded needle into the center and underneath the yarn drawing the needle out between the eleven o'clock and twelve o'clock positions.

Next, insert needle back into center again and draw the needle out between twelve o'clock and one o'clock positions. Repeat this process working clockwise, making sure to go between each set of petals. For a small opening in the center, pull the yarn tightly in the direction of the center.

To complete the center stitches, we will create a lock stitch. This stitch stabilizes the center and prevents unraveling. To make the lock stitch, once again insert your needle into the center and draw out between the set of petals between the eleven o'clock and twelve o'clock position leaving slack in the yarn, creating a loop. Insert the needle from right to left through the loop and pull taught. The knot that has been formed will slip to the back of the rosette and neatly hide under the last stitch.

Knitwit® Tool Instructions - Making the Border III. Making the Border
Start the border by bringing the yarn out to the left side of the prong in the one o'clock position. Insert the needle in the center of the looped petal. Pull the yarn through carefully, being sure to leave a loop at the prong. Bring your needle through the loop you've just made FROM THE BACK and pull yarn through top to make a knot.

Continue on to the two o'clock prong and repeat step.

Always working clockwise, repeat this step at each petal. You will make a total of 13 lock stitches; 12 stitches for each petal and the 13th lock stitch will end at the one o'clock position.

When you have completed the last locked stitch, trim the yarn and twist the tool stem to release the finished rosette from the tool.

Download detailed instructions (pdf)

To see detailed instructions in English, click here.

Para las instrucciones detalladas en español, chasque aquí.

Pour des instructions détaillées en français, cliquetez ici.


Note: The rosette facing you on the tool is the right side. Keep this in mind when joining rosettes together.

Joining One Round Rosette to Another
The easiest method for joining rosettes together is to join them using the Knit-Wit tool. Rosettes can also be made individually and stitched together.

To join your round rosettes together using the tool, begin a second rosette and finish the center. Now take the previously completed rosette and place it right sides together with the rosette on the tool, matching petal to petal.

Bring the needle up between the looped petals on the tool then between the looped petals of the top rosette. Pull the yarn through and make a lock stitch. Join the petal with a lock stitch using the same method.

After completing the two lock stitches, move the top rosette back off of the tool and complete the outer border of the unfinished rosette. A total of 11 individual lock stitches and two joining lock stitches will be completed.

Trim the yarn close to the lock stitch and twist the tool stem to release the two rosettes from the tool.

Joining One Square Rosette to Another
To join your square rosettes together using the tool, begin a second rosette and finish the center.

Place your finished rosette right side down on top of the rosette in progress, matching one petal above the other and make a lock stitch.

Repeat along one side working from corner to corner for a total of four lock stitches. Make sure to catch both sets of petals while making each lock stitch.

After completing the four lock stitches, move the top rosette off of the tool and continue to complete the outer border of the rosette still on the tool. A total of 9 individual lock stitches and 4 joining lock stitches will be completed.

Trim the yarn close to the lock stitch and twist the tool stem to release the rosettes from the tool.

How to Join Multiple Rosettes
To join multiple round rosettes, place the two rosettes you are joining to the unfinished rosette on the Knit-Wit tool, placing right sides together. Secure the rosettes in four places to unfinished rosette on tool using lock stitch as indicated in the diagram.

To join multiple square rosettes, place the two rosettes you are joining to the unfinished rosette on the Knit-Wit tool, placing right sides together. Secure rosettes in seven places as indicated in the diagram.

For either shape, once the rosettes have been joined to the rosette on the tool, continue to stitch the outer border following a clockwise pattern.

Trim yarn close to the last lock stitch and release rosette from tool.

Contrasting Centers
After the specified number of windings in your pattern have been completed, cut yarn approximately 20 inches long and wind around handle several times to prevent unraveling.

Cut 24" of contrasting color yarn and thread needle.

Hold end of yarn with the thumb and follow steps for Finishing the Center. For a more prominent center, repeat the steps a second time. End with a lock stitch and trim ends of contrasting yarn.

Unwind yarn from handle and thread needle.

Refer to steps for Making the Border to finish rosette.