I'd like to learn to knit, crochet and make simple clothes.

KittyBoo_2

I have never been artistic in the craft department but would love to learn to knit and crochet.
I can cast on at knitting and that is it.
I have no idea how to crochet and do not own a sewing machine.
Now that I am on long term sick, I would like to start making things and would appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction.
Thanks

mioliere

Hi Kittyboo - take a look here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1979513 It's our charity knitting, crochet, and sewing thread - on the first page you'll find a link to our old thread. We've recently had to start a Part 3 because it's been so successful. Look for any of the posts by Maytaurus - she always adds links to the many many patterns and tutorials she has found for us. You'll find loads of inspiration!

Please feel free to join us - we're a friendly happy bunch and are always on hand to answer questions.

Kathy

[Deleted User]

http://www.videojug.com/search?keywords=crochet

several videos here to get you started.

I don't know anyone who crochet's but have learnt from online videos.

So far I've made a couple of baby blankets and I'm 30% of the way through my first crocheted jumper.

Just watch the stitches though American and English crochet stitch names mean different things.

Hope you enjoy your new found hobby

Apollonia

Lidl are advertising knitting and crochet supplies on sale from 22 October. They have needles/hooks at £1.29 a set and wool/yarn 200g packs at £1.99, £2.99 and £3.99. The yarns also include patterns. So you don't have to spend a lot to get started. Once you have your supplies there are lots of on-line tutorials to show you how it's done. I even learned how to knit socks using 5 needles with an online tutorial!

Charity shops often have knitting needles but you have to ask as they don't display them for health & safety reasons. :rolleyes:

There is a very popular website called Ravelry that can also help with free patterns, help and advice. It's a world-wide site but has groups catering specifically for the UK so you may be able to find a local group you could join.

Good luck with your new hobby!

ChocClare

Where do you live, KittyBoo? You may find that your local library or university can point you in the direction of groups that could help you - near me, for example, there is an art gallery which is part of the university and it has an interactive remit to include the community - which means it offers free knitting lessons every Wednesday for anyone who wants to go along.

If you join Ravelry (https://www.ravelry.com) as someone suggested above, just type in the name of your county into the groups section and there will undoubtedly be a Stitch'n'!!!!! or similar group where they will be all too happy to teach you to crochet.

If your illness/disability makes it difficult for you to go out, then go onto youtube and type in learn to knit or learn to crochet. There will be plenty of videos you can watch in your own time until you get the hang of it.

You could ask for a simple sewing machine on your local Freecycle. It's possibly a little late for this term, but it is worth seeing if there is an Adult Education centre nearby which does an introduction to hand or machine sewing. Most areas do, and they generally offer concessions if you're on any sort of benefits.

To be honest, if you can cast on, you can knit. As mioliere says, go on the knit your square to give your share thread - and ask as many stupid questions as you like. We'll talk you through it row by row!

What sort of things would you like to knit? I know it sounds pathetic, but if you're just starting off, you could do worse than knit a dishcloth. You can buy the cotton here if you haven't already got any - 75p for 100g is pretty good going! - cast on 40 stitches, knit every row until it's square and cast off. If you want to be adventurous, you can put some red stripes in by changing the colour of your cotton so it ends up looking like the towels on here (you'll need to scroll down a bit). It doesn't matter if it's not perfect and it would get you started and ready to do more exciting things! Last year, my daughter challenged me not to use any wrapping paper at Christmas as part of our "green" drive: I knitted dishcloths and sewed teatowels and used those as wrapping - no-one gave two hoots about the presents I bought them but they all LOVED their hand-knitted dishcloths!!!

Best of luck with it - let us know what we can do to help.

ktpie

My advice would be don't be scared to start having a go! You can always pull things apart if they don't come out as you want.
Ebay can be pretty good for cheap knitting needles, crochet hooks etc.

Check out your local library for books, mine has a good selection on all three subjects with instructions / ideas.

For sewing a machine is very useful, mine is an ancient old thing that used to belong to my Grandma, but it works! Do you know anyone that might have an old machine hiding away in their loft they don't want anymore?

Ravelry has already been mentioned and is a great site. Craftster also can be very inspiring if you are prepared to wade through the American teenage chat.

There are quite a few knitting, crochet and sewing threads on OS if you get stuck.

Rummer

ktpie wrote: »

You can always pull things apart if they don't come out as you want.

This made me smile! I spend most of my life pulling my knitting apart! So much so I have never got anything finished. That said though I still keep plugging away and I do enjoy it! I have had more luck with my sewing machine and have successfully made curtains and draught excluders.

I have picked up most of my needles and wool through charity shops as mentioned before and a few other bits and pieces from local markets and specialist stores. Worthwhile getting a couple of books from the library and placing a request on freecycle incase people have unwanted wool and needles.

ktpie

Rummer wrote: »

This made me smile! I spend most of my life pulling my knitting apart! So much so I have never got anything finished. That said though I still keep plugging away and I do enjoy it! I have had more luck with my sewing machine and have successfully made curtains and draught excluders.

You're not the only one! I have managed to finish a few things but quite a large proportion get pulled apart, good way of learning, that is what I tell myself.

KittyBoo_2

Thankyou all for your encouraging replies.
I love the sound of making dishcloths and I think I will do that for my first attempt.
If they come out ok I will give them as pressies to my friends at Christmas.
I have always dreamed of being able to knit a jumper and blankets etc but I will start small and learn the basics.
Thanks for your useful links.

KittyBoo_2

ChocClare wrote: »

Where do you live, KittyBoo? You may find that your local library or university can point you in the direction of groups that could help you - near me, for example, there is an art gallery which is part of the university and it has an interactive remit to include the community - which means it offers free knitting lessons every Wednesday for anyone who wants to go along.

If you join Ravelry (www.ravelry.com) as someone suggested above, just type in the name of your county into the groups section and there will undoubtedly be a Stitch'n'!!!!! or similar group where they will be all too happy to teach you to crochet.

If your illness/disability makes it difficult for you to go out, then go onto youtube and type in learn to knit or learn to crochet. There will be plenty of videos you can watch in your own time until you get the hang of it.

You could ask for a simple sewing machine on your local Freecycle. It's possibly a little late for this term, but it is worth seeing if there is an Adult Education centre nearby which does an introduction to hand or machine sewing. Most areas do, and they generally offer concessions if you're on any sort of benefits.

To be honest, if you can cast on, you can knit. As mioliere says, go on the knit your square to give your share thread - and ask as many stupid questions as you like. We'll talk you through it row by row!

What sort of things would you like to knit? I know it sounds pathetic, but if you're just starting off, you could do worse than knit a dishcloth. You can buy the cotton here if you haven't already got any - 75p for 100g is pretty good going! - cast on 40 stitches, knit every row until it's square and cast off. If you want to be adventurous, you can put some red stripes in by changing the colour of your cotton so it ends up looking like the towels on here (you'll need to scroll down a bit). It doesn't matter if it's not perfect and it would get you started and ready to do more exciting things! Last year, my daughter challenged me not to use any wrapping paper at Christmas as part of our "green" drive: I knitted dishcloths and sewed teatowels and used those as wrapping - no-one gave two hoots about the presents I bought them but they all LOVED their hand-knitted dishcloths!!!

Best of luck with it - let us know what we can do to help.

Is the red cotton used to put the stripes in the dishcloth, the same as the dishcloth cotton?

Patchwork_Quilt

I lend my sewing machine regularly to a friend. There is no point in both of us having one. Could you borrow from someone? I relearned to crochet from YouTube, which seems bizarre, the old meeting the new, but I crochet all the time now. Also, sometimes your local wool shop has a knitting club or could point you in the direction of someone who could help you out.

Good luck.