Learning to Knit

overlykeensaver

I too am thinking of learning to knit - does anyone have a beginner's guide they could recommend?
thanks!

lush_walrus

Knitting is great, and very simple to do if you start with knit and pearl stitches and avoid the patterns that have complex abreviations for complex stiching patterns.

If you are planning to do it to get rich, well you won't! But, if you are planning to do it for something ncie to do in your spare time then it will definately fill that gap.

With regards to wool, yes it is very expensive in comparison to like for like in shops, with regards to time and the cost of wool. If you want good wool (IE non synthetic), then it tends to be £4.50 plus, but as a starter just to learn then you can pick up poor quality wool for 99p a ball, so start with that.

As others have said, pick something such as a scarf for now to try and learn in a simple knit and pearl stich, then once you get up to speed you can try other garments and stiches.

There is a lot of satisfaction in completing a piece of knitting and if you decide to knit for friends and family presents etc, most of them appreciate it hugely!

With regards to books to help you learn, if you go into any charity bookshop there are normally plenty knocking around. Failing that, then most pattern book will have a section at the front which shows how to cast on & off and the basic stiches.

mirakl

Well I bought a little knitting pack which had needles, 3 balls of wool and instructions.

Disaster! lol

The instructions were awful and my OH had to show me how it was done. He was incredibly embarrassed he had to admit to his knitting ability and incredibly frustrated at my ineptitude.

In addition the wool was that really hairy stuff that's fashionable for scarves atm and I just couldn't see what I was doing to ended up practising with garden twine. Need to go out and buy some ordinary wool until I have this thing mastered.

Tondella

overlykeensaver wrote:

I too am thinking of learning to knit - does anyone have a beginner's guide they could recommend?
thanks!

I relearnt how to knit with this book, i thought it was fantastic!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stitch-!!!!!-Handbook-Instructions-Generation/dp/0761128182

It has really easy to follow explanations of stitches, low down on what the different yarns and needles are, and some fab beginners patterns at the back. My gran had taught me how to do a knit stitch but i couldn't cast on or off, and hadn't learnt to purl, this book taught me everything and I have made the baby blanket in it twice for two mums to be.


I don't knit jumpers because they are too big a project to finish only to find that you don't suit the pattern after all! I tend to stick to small but satisfying projects - handbags, scarves, blankets, toys. I've knitted a corsage for my jumper, that was lovely.

If you want economical yarn then go to a charity shop and buy a jumper, unravel the wool and start knitting!

freyasmum

lol @ mirakl... my OH would be mortified too

I tried to knit, but having no one to show me how and having to follow instructions from the internet isn't easy

Lillibet_2

I learnt how to knit in August, & I LOVE it:j:j:j:j:j However, I did have the benefit of a very experienced knitter teaching me & I could almost remember the basic stitch from when I was at Brownies (knitted patchowrk square balnkes for Ethopia anyone?) However, I never knew how to cast on or off or other stitches etc & needed a refresher course for what I did know & had forgotton. I found it very easy to pick up, so far I have knitted scarves galore (dead easy), a hat for my 1 year old son, 2 Christmas stockings akll freehand but I am toying with the idea of having a go at a tank top from a a pttern next? !

Wool can work out expensive, however you can also pick it up in sales, in chairty shops, from ebay & even freecycle, it is just a case of chosing your item & pattern to fit your wool.

Give it a go, one ball of wool & a pair of needles shouldn't cost you more than £2 or £3 tops. Personally I don't think there is anything to beat the personal touch of hand knitted baby items & the odd present for older people who probably have everything they need & like something with thought/effort & can appreciate knitting for the art it really is!:D

cazziebo

I used to be absolutely ADDICTED to knitting! (and have the marks on my fingers to prove it!) It is very therapeutic and I'd like to do quite intricate designs to keep it interesting. It's cost effective in that you can pick up wool cheaply - especially in sales, but not in terms of the time it takes to make a garment. So great for friends and family but not to sell on to others.

Baby and kids stuff is great- especially knitting personalised jumpers for kids who love that. Icelandic jumpers (on circular needles) are fab because so fast and not a lot of making up.

You can do it listening to the radio or watching the telly.

I had to stop because I stopped socialising because I always had yet another jumper to finish! But now you mention it....got my interest going again!

Lucie_2

I see old style is leading the way trend-setting-wise again - M&S have got "Yummy Mummy" knitting sets in their Christmas gift catalogue, aimed at mums to be.
Could be another HM Christmas hamper style-gift for a pregnant friend/relative? I'm sure a simple pattern would be easy to print off the internet?

caffeinehit

I've never got any more advanced than scarves but they're great fun to knit and make brilliant presents. I always buy a few colours and make stripy ones (or buy 2 colours and make a football scarf). Buy chunky wool and big needles as that way it'll knit up quickly - it gets a bit demoralising if you've been knitting for hours and only have a couple of centimetres. Rib stitch (e.g. knit 3, purl 3) is good for scarves.

I've found the cheapest place to get wool is market stalls and a lot of independent pharmacies frequented by old ladies. I rarely pay more than £1 for a 50g ball.

hazzie123

Doesn`t that clicky sound drive you mad?It did when I was younger and my mother was knitting.I could of been sat there reading and all I can hear is click click click click click click.

Cant imagine myself knitting,I just be sat there with two needles and wool wondering how the blazes do you get the wool on the needles.

I admit I did enjoy finger knitting when I was little,but what can you do with a metre of a single link of wool?