Learning to Knit

mirakl

I'm toying with the idea of learning how to knit.

Perhaps the experts could assist me in the decision with some answers to my initial questions.

1. How difficult is it?
2. Is wool so expensive it's not cost efficient?
3. Does it take ages to make things?

These are probably stupid questions so apologies in advance.

Nix143

I used to love to knit and think it's absolutely worth learning how to do it

However, I did find the last thing I knitted (a jumper for the ex which was the only thing I pulled out of her wardrobe and binned before she left - no way was she having that after all the effort I put into it:D) that wool was quite expensive, but then I was using fancy schmancy wool and I didn't shop around.

I find it really therapeutic and so satisfying to make something, there is so much love attached to giving something you've spent time on, isn't there?

Depending on what your knitting (and thickness of wool, soze of needles etc) will all have an impact on time taken. When I used to knit aran it would take me AGES to knit a jumper but some chunky wool stuff knits up in no time.

And no, it's really easy to learn how to knit! My Nanna taught me when I was 7.....................oh I have an idea for a thread!

Anyhoo, go for it, start off with something small and simple and have a ball! Good luck xx

pudding06

I was taught to knit by my mum when I was very small and I started off knitting clothes for my dolls.

I knitted some beautiful baby clothes for my sons - all 4 of them
and they were even more special because of the work that went into them.

I find it difficult to have the same patience to knit for myself but once you are proficient at it you can produce some lovely items which look original.

as previous poster said start with something small and simple and really just practice practice practice.

it is very theraputic.

pudds

Penny_Watcher

I LOVE knitting - and it's a good time of year to start learning. As Nix143 says it's very theraputic.

One simple thing to knit is a scarf. Have someone show you how to cast on, knit it as long as you want (till you get bored ) and then get someone to show you how to cast off.

Jobs Done :rolleyes:

Addiscomber

Pure wool is expensive, and in my view traditional knitted jumpers are not cost effective. Acrylic so-called equivalents just don't do it for me - in my experience they go stringy when washed. Modern sweatshirts and fleeces are inexpensive and easier to care for. However, there are lots of novelty fashion yarns and patterns around now that you could investigate, so that is possibly the way to go if you want to knit.

tanith

I agree that wool is expensive and hand knitted things don't seem to be too popular but I think its worth while learning and starting off with simple things and see how you like it.. even if you just do simple stuff for yourself its very satisfying , I used to love to knit baby stuff as its quick easy and cheap...

Happy knitting

hgbels

HI

My mum knited loads of baby cardigans for her first gandchild (I htink she only had one pattern)

When DGS came along she decided it was cheaper to buy - when I had babies she discovered she could buy the baby clothes from the ladies in the wool shop - better kniited then her own, almost as cheap, and came in different syles.

I started knitting and have knitted each child a dolly --- both a bit odd as odd colours etc. Odd size legs as well

This Xmas I am trying to decide what else I can make them

Hels

tawnyowls

As with most things, you have to compare like with like. A loaf of bread from your breadmaker will be far more expensive than a sliced supermarket pan, but cheaper than a decent one from the baker. Similarly, you'll get an acrylic jumper from a supermarker for a couple of quid, but a good hand-knitted wool jumper will probably set you back close to a hundred. It is a very therapeutic hobby, and you do get a unique product.

Aril

I spent my lunch time today knitting a scarf for my friend's 40th birthday [much ot the amusement of the students at the training centre!!] and whilst I was invigilating. I've spent £7.50 on three balls of beautiful yarn and 25p on knitting needles from the charity shop. It's only garter stitch but looks good because all the fluffy bits on the wool hide a multitude of sins. I'm finding it totally addictive as I'm not misunderstanding the pattern and it's totally straightforward!
Aril

Nix143

tawnyowls wrote:

It is a very therapeutic hobby, and you do get a unique product.

Aint dat de truth! I could never be bothered to check my tension and so consequently everything I knitted looked like it was designed for a very short, very wide person, think dwarf troll proportions - the ill fated jumper suited the ex perfectly! :D