Learning to Knit

Larumbelle

I've always wanted to know... how to knit. I remember my mum knitting when I was tiny, she has had a stroke now and is paralysed in her right hand side, also can't speak, so she can't teach me. No other female relatives or friends know how

The old lady next door was saying she wished her arthritis wasn't so bad she'd like a warm blanket for the winter now gas is through the roof. I thought I'd like to knit one for her and one for my mum (and maybe a few for OH and myself too!) but I don't know how. I tried learning from a book but it just doesn't seem to happen. Also I am left handed and the neighbour said this means it's harder to learn. I also tried to learn crochet from a book but it looked funny. I'm confused...

What's the best way to learn to knit? Also the best place to get wool and needles and things quite cheap, just in case I'm not made for knitting (I've tried freecycle, no replies)? And one more question (just one, I promise) the charity shop needles I've got don't have a size on them. How do I find what size they are (and why does size matter? Oo er!)

NewFoundGlory_2

Hi, sorry can't help you at all...just posting to say I really want to learn too so I hope someone answers

nearlyrich

Well it's late and all the serious knitters might be in bed but I can knit but haven't done for years, now my little sister is having a baby so I thought I'd better get knitting again. There are websites with advice and as for inexpensive supplies, well it's not something you do to save money anymore even wool from the market was very expensive.

Good luck with learning it's quite a relaxing passtime once you know how....

Emma37

Silvercharming, it's really kind of you to want to knit blankets for your mum and your neighbour. I used to knit many years ago, but haven't knitted since then. I was taught as a little girl by my auntie, and although I'm left-handed was taught to knit right-handedly and it wasn't a problem. I've just bought a pair of needles and wool and I'm going to teach my five-year-old granddaughter how to knit.

Unless you have someone sitting next to you teaching you, it's hard to know how you could learn. The wool department in John Lewis used to hold sessions where they taught people, but I don't know if they still do it. I'd take the needles you have to them and they'll tell you straight away what size they are. They're very knowlegeable, and I'd also ask their advice about how you can learn to knit.

If you're following a pattern and it specifies the size of the needle, to use a thinner one would result in a smaller garment. A bigger needle would produce a bigger stitch and therefore a bigger garment.

There are a few clips on Youtube which go over the basics of learning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUZUFEB2drM&feature=related

I'm not really sure where you can buy cheap wool, there used to be lots of wool shops but you don't see them now.

Let me know if there's anything I can help you with. Good luck.

maytaurus

have a looksy here
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=800677&highlight=maytaurus
and maybe you'd like to join in

donny-gal

There are various sites here.
DG

Surfing_spaniel

Ask at your local wool shop, they'll know if there's anything local going on where you can learn. I don't know where you are, but there's a fabulous shop in Beeston Nottingham, if I remember right it's called 'Yarn'.....here you go, I found a link http://www.yarn-in-notts.co.uk/index.htm, anyhow I hadn't knitted in ages & they told me all the classes they do to teach you about making garments up & finisihing off. The lady was really helpful, hopefully there'll be something similar near to you which would be for beginners. Thinking about I bet it's in the shops interests to teach you to knit....they get another customer

Surfing_spaniel

Just thought of another place you could try, you should get some help here... http://www.stitchn!!!!!.co.uk/ ermm that should be stitchnb*tch, it won't post the link lol.

moanymoany

There are demonstration videos on you tube.

Learn the continental method, it is much easier on the arms and shoulders and the knitting grows more quickly as well.

purpleivy

I tried learning continental method, as I could see the sense in it. A German friend taught me, at least we made a start. The problem was I tried a Youtube vid to help with the cast on method.... Hmmmmmm a sentence including the words dog, old and tricks comes to mind!

Regarding your neighbour... If you have genuine concerns about her keeping warm this winter, what about a cheapy sleeping bag, the type that opens out flat? Something like the one below. For about £10 you can get this one, she could sit with it over her lap or round her shoulders if watching the telly or whatever, also take it up to bed and open it out as an extra eiderdown/duvet. It would also have the advantage of being immediate. Knitting takes time! Another advantage is that sleeping bags are relatively lightweight. Sometimes the elderly find blankets, esp an extra one on the bed rather heavy.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3407215/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CHome+and+furniture%7C10197552/c_2/2%7Ccat_10197552%7CBedding%7C10197575/c_3/3%7Ccat_10197575%7CSleeping+bags%7C10197606.htm