Learning to Knit

nabowla

Now that the winter nights are drawing in I've decided to learn to knit. My first attempts are bound to be an utter disaster so I want to be as OS as possible. I'm going to borrow some needles and steal some leftover wool from someone who used to knit many moons ago. I also want to find a free pattern for a scarf or similar. I've tried googling for a pattern and have come up with thousands of websites - so many that I don't know where to start!

I'm sure that someone here must knit Any personal recommendations for favourite sites, things to do/avoid etc?

Rikki

Have you tried going to your local wool shop and asking them. The basics are very simple. Especially a scarf to get started with.

[Deleted User]

Definitely start with a scarf. Do a tension square of 100 stiches and knit a few rows. You can then work out how many stitches makes the width you want. Just keep going for the length. You don`t need a pattern. There is enough on this link to start

http://www.bhkc.co.uk/data/knit_basics.htm

Pink.

Hi kittie

Welcome to MSE :wave:

Thank you for that link.....I'm struggling to teach my daughter to knit at the moment and that will really help.

Pink

BWZN93

I agree - definately a scarf to start with! I dont know if you live anywhere near bath but there is a coffee shop on Walcot street that does free knitting lessons on a Monday night - I learned from a lovely old lady who used to have a glass of red wine whilst teaching us young things - It was great! There may be other places over the country - might be worth a search?

Speaking of knitting, my wool order came from ebay today so im off to excellent feedback and get the old needles out - its time to make mohair cushion covers!

Jo xx

pol

Definitely start with thick chunky wool and big needles!

There are lots of patterns on here, but basically you cast on as many stitches as you want the scarf wide, and keep knitting till it's as long as you like. Chunky is about 40-50 stitches wide - double knit about 70.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kjtq-hatAndScarf.html

the fashion now is for furry/fluffy wool and most of these knit to a chunky weight.

pol

Katinkka

I taught myself to knit a few weeks ago and have mastered the basic stitches. I found this site very hel[ful. http://www.knittinghelp.com/

cozzie

http://www.stitchguide.com/stitches/knitting/index.html

This site is very good. Most of the list of stitches on the left of the page have short video's showing exactly how they are done. I found this a much easier way to learn than trying to decifer something written or drawn.

http://www.knitpicks.com/projects/projects_display_yarn.aspx?itemid=50421220

I just made this scarf in two short evenings, was really easy to do and looks fab.

catherineblack

Hi - good luck with the knitting! I can recommend a great website https://www.craftster.org
It is full of hints, ideas etc and for every craft going. Great and friendly atmosphere and some knitting projects that are actually cool! Sorry if I always mention this website, but it is so good!

nabowla

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. I'd use the thanks button but it seems to have vanished temporarily.

Definitely going to start with a scarf. Hadn't realised that I could knit with furry/fluffy wool (duh!) but it sounds like a gorgeous idea. Now all I have to do is decide which colour to go for!

What's everyone else working on at the moment? Any interesting projects to inspire the rest of us?

BWZN93

As I mentioned, im making mohair cushions at the moment which will be lovely when done. Ive then got a scarf to make for a girl at work (who all think im mental because I get excited over making things) and then im going to learn to crochet because I want to make blankets too.

After that - im going to get technical and attempt to make a piece of clothing - probably a jumper or cardigan. I still need to buy that sewing machine too as I want to make a corset (but ill probably ruin it - I think im better at things than I usually am!)

Jo xx