Learning to Knit

PoshPaws_3

Diane, if you can use a guide to get you started, I bet your Gran would love to watch over you and talk you through some bits and pieces. I think knitting is like riding a bike - you never really forget how to do it, because as soon as you've got the needles in your hands again, the muscle memory kicks in and away you go!

TerminallyShortOfCash

Hi Diane.

I also use https://www.knittinghelp.com and it's fab. It might be worth trying to get hold of a copy of Stitch and !!!!! by Debbie Stoller - this has lots of really cool patterns in (I've found that some traditional knitting patterns can be quite old fashioned). For some easy patterns, https://www.about.com has some good ones in their knitting section - I particularly like the garter stitch poncho, and https://www.lionbrand.com also have some good free patterns.

newleaf

PoshPaws wrote:

Diane, if you can use a guide to get you started, I bet your Gran would love to watch over you and talk you through some bits and pieces. I think knitting is like riding a bike - you never really forget how to do it, because as soon as you've got the needles in your hands again, the muscle memory kicks in and away you go!

This is true, and also when elderly people start to get forgetful it's the short term memory that goes - they can't remember what they had for lunch but they can recall events from years ago with perfect clarity. You should try and get your gran interested in your project, I think you'll be amazed at how much you will both get out of it Good luck!

Pink.

Hi Diane,

We have an older thread on learning how to knit that might help you so I'll merge your thread with it as it helps to keep all the suggestions and links together. The posts are listed in date order so you'll need to read from the beginning to see all the replies.

Pink

Diane17884

Thanks everyone, the websites have been very helpfull and i think i might ask my gran if she can help, She might enjoy it too Thanks all x

Also wanted to ask where the best and cheapest place to buy wool and needles from? I was thinking either ebay or having a browse in the charity shops?

oops_a_daisy

I got a learn how to knit booklet free in a knitting magazine the other day as a keen knitter myself I dont need it so if anybody wants I would be happy to post it on - please pm me - first one gets it

superdog_3

So glad there are more people ,like me, starting to knit again. I have recently started a scarf. may have finished by Chrimbo!
I have bought about 4 different sets of needles, each pair 10p in a charity shop! And Wilkinsons is not bad for wool (only want to use acrylic after suffering my grans prickly real wool cardies as a child!!!)
Now I just need to stop browsing this forum for an evening or two.....:rolleyes:

carriel_2

I am an addicted knitter, just finished a pair of socks & am knitting Clapotis from knitty.com there are some fab places online to learn knitting or browse free patterns. I like Simply Knitting magazine too, it has a great 'how to' section in the back showing the basics.

Definately search through charity shops, although you may have to ask to see needles as they tend to hide them behind the till (they are considered weapons)

A nice easy pattern to start of with is a scarf with pockets, you knit a long scarf in garter stitch, using maybe a size 4 needle & whatever colour DK wool you like maybe 40 stitches wide (or however wide you like it), but make it about 12 inches longer in total than you would normally, then at either end sew up the edges 6 inches & viola, you have a lovely funky scarf with pockets to put your hands in.

oops_a_daisy

the learn to knit booklet has gone

another easy peasy scarf is one of those pull through scarves.

3 balls of fluffy wool and size 7 knitting needles, about 25 - 30 stitches depending on how wide or long you want the scarf.

work in stocking stitch for two balls then on the third ball cast off the centre section of stitches ( about 10 - 15 loops ) and cast back them back on on the next row to make a hole. Carry on in stocking stitch for the rest of the scarf.

I am currently doing a crochet twirly whirly scarf. I normally make up my own patterns as I go along so this one is a chain of 120 then 2 trebles into every chain stitch then 2 trebles into every stitch of the first row of trebles and then a 3rd row of 2 trebles into every stitch of the 2nd row ( IYSWIM ) I am doing it on a 4.5 size crochet hook with DK wool. 3 different colours for the 3 rows.

Am going to try a tube scarf next - the type that you pull over your head.

Diane17884

Thank you Oops a daisy, i was lucky enough to get the booklet And think it is really kind of you !