The Knitters Thread

quinechinoise

SIRENS wrote: »

Hi
I was wondering if anyone could suggest some bits for my dd. She has put a knitting or sewing kit on her list for FC. Now I cannot sew but am a moderate knitter, she is 8 and I looked at kits but they are very expensive. i have bought a book and would like some wool and needles, what would be a good size for a her (easy to hold and use) I tend to use circulars for everything. Also some nice wool, I guess chunkier would be better? I thought I'd get her a little case for everything to go in. I hope to teach her the basics but am quite basic myself!
Thanks so much x

When my nana taught me to knit as a little girl, I just used odd scraps of thin wool - probably dk or aran. I seem to remember my grandpa (or my dad) sawed the ends off some old knitting needles to make them short enough for my little hands! It's so sweet that you're going to teach her to knit. Happy memories.

Anyway, I think chunky wool is actually more difficult to get to grips with. It might knit up faster but it's harder to see the yarn (you end up putting the needle through the strand instead of behind/around the stitch) and learn the stitches. Maybe a lightweight wool for learning the stitches and a ball of something chunky (so she can make something quickly) once you've taught her the basics?

quinechinoise

nikki702 wrote: »

Hi everyone

I really would like to learn to knit, does anyone know of any good online guides? I have never knitted before.

Also, does anyone have any ideas of what I could "attempt" to knit as a beginner?

Apart from knitting needles and wool (which I haven't bought yet) what else do I need?

Thank you

Youtube! I think it's easier when you see someone doing it. Search for "casting on", "garter stitch" and "binding off". The simplest thing for your first attempt is just a plain square or rectangle - maybe for use as a doll's blanket or a scarf? Or, if you can sew, lots of squares to sew together into a blanket? You don't really need anything special except wool and needles. You probably already have a pair of scissors and a darning needle.

ZoeMinx

SIRENS wrote: »

Hi
I was wondering if anyone could suggest some bits for my dd. She has put a knitting or sewing kit on her list for FC. Now I cannot sew but am a moderate knitter, she is 8 and I looked at kits but they are very expensive. i have bought a book and would like some wool and needles, what would be a good size for a her (easy to hold and use) I tend to use circulars for everything. Also some nice wool, I guess chunkier would be better? I thought I'd get her a little case for everything to go in. I hope to teach her the basics but am quite basic myself!
Thanks so much x

Hello

I agree with QuineChinoise that chunky is not necessarily better. The Pony children's needles are a 4mm I think, team that with some DK wool in her favourite colour. A variegated or colour changing wool would be nice if you can get it, as I find it can help motivate a new knitter to keep going until the next 'stripe'. Do try and buy something with a natural wool content. Acrylic yarns are generally cheaper but new knitters are usually 'tight' and the squeaky feel can put people off

Apollonia

SIRENS wrote: »

Hi
I was wondering if anyone could suggest some bits for my dd. She has put a knitting or sewing kit on her list for FC. Now I cannot sew but am a moderate knitter, she is 8 and I looked at kits but they are very expensive. i have bought a book and would like some wool and needles, what would be a good size for a her (easy to hold and use) I tend to use circulars for everything. Also some nice wool, I guess chunkier would be better? I thought I'd get her a little case for everything to go in. I hope to teach her the basics but am quite basic myself!
Thanks so much x

Try looking in toy shops rather than craft supplies shops. My local department store keeps these in the toy section not the haberdashery:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Galt-America-1003460-First-Knitting/dp/B003VS0Y1S/ref=pd_sim_k_h_b_cs_1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Galt-America-A4081D-First-Knitting/dp/B00005OB8N/ref=pd_sim_k_h_b_cs_6

http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-1st-Knitting-Childrens-Craft/dp/B007RF6DTS/ref=pd_cp_k_h_b_cs_3

SIRENS

Thank-you all so much for your replies, I was going towards chunky but I think you're right about splitting the fibres, quinechinoise so will go for some dk, thank-you.
Excellent idea about the variegated Zoeminx, I think she would love to see a pattern emerging!
Thanks for the links Apollonia am off to do a bit of Christmas shopping next week so will pop in a couple of toy shops and see what they have. I have ordered the pony needles already so I feel at least I have made a start!

MoonJelly

PipneyJane wrote: »

I love the Black Sheep!

(But I wish I hadn't seen your post. Busy trying to decrease the sock yarn mountain stashed in the wool cave. I must not add to it.......)

Too late for me. I just saw this post and... just had to look at the site.:snow_laug

boredjellybean

ah ha!! This is where I saw the black sheep mentioned - now waiting for my order to arrive lol
I've been busy lately - my status as 'can only knit scarves' has now been bumped as I've learnt to knit using dpns & have made a hat & mittens for a friends new baby, hat & mittens for my baby & leg warmers for my baby. When my bsw order arrives I want to try & make fingerless gloves & leg warmers for my 10 & 12 year olds for Christmas so off to find an easy free pattern
Sarah xx

arroli

my latest attempt, found pattern on Ravelry and adapted for 4 ply wool



sorry for huge picture..Photobucket seems to have changed their format for uploads!

pennib

They are brilliant arroli. I bet they look super cute on.

lizalloareds

Hi I want to knit a hat similar to this
http://pinterest.com/pin/286471226268856561/

where would I get the pattern? its for a 2yr old.
would like to do a flower instead of the bow

Liz