Learning to Knit

knitknack

Thanks Pennylane, that's a lovely thing to say! I'm just so grateful really, that there are people out there willing to spend their time answering questions and putting up tutoring diagrams/videos so that we can all learn and teach ourselves - i really do think it's amazing! (as I do that people will pay that much for socks! LOL but then lots of people think we're mad for spending so long knitting them hehehe)

Pennylane

http://www.james-purdey.net/store/product/35539/26/christmas-gift-ideas/accessories/hand-knitted-flag-socks/

These are not the ones I meant but we're getting there. The ones I saw were heavily cabled, really long to go inside long boots and turn over top and they had a lovely knitted tie-garter. They were in shades like raspberry with mint green and £135 a pair.

knitknack

Wow - they DO sound gorgeous!!

NickiM

My ability to knit is almost non-existant. I really need to buckle down and start learning but it just seems all scary and complicated. I'll read through this time when I am not supposed to be doing dissertation work!!

fyimate

I'm new to knitting, have so far knitted two baby hats but am now running low on yarn.
I was hoping others could give me advice on what kind of yarn/needles I should buy now and what projects you can recommend, also any stores that have good offers on yarn would be much appreciated.
I currently have 4mm needles.
Thank you

whatatwit

Have a look round your local charity shops. They do tend to keep needles in the back as they are a dangerous object.

There are lots of patterns on-line and there is a knitters thread on here with links for patterns etc.

Dish clothes are fun and quick if you can find some cheap cotton knitting yarn, the dishcloth yarn is expensive.
Also try ebay and Kemps.

carolwat

Try ravelry.com for patterns

Charity shops for wool and needles.

fyimate

Thanks for the replies, any other suggestions are welcome

OrkneyStar

Kemps online I think is used by a lot of people, also ebay is good for some yarns/wools. Also second the charity shops idea.
For baby thinks double knit (DK) or 4ply is best and for those wools you need 3.25/3.75/4.4.5mm needles ideally. What are you wanting to knit and perhaps people can suggest patterns ?
When I want something simple I knit cloths/doilies (need 100% cotton), mobile or ipod covers, scarves, hats, squares and sew to make blankets etc.
It is addictive though lol x

fyimate

Thanks, well I wouldnt mind knitting baby clothes, already knitted two baby hats which is simple enough, would like to move onto socks, mittens and small things like that until I feel ready to move onto a baby cardigan etc.
Also wouldnt mind knitting some clothes for my daughter's barbie dolls, I know she would like that

If I want to knit a larger hat how do I fit all the stitches onto the needle, because knitting just 56 st on my 4mm's is a tight squeeze, I assume larger needles accomadate for this?