Learning to knit

[Stylish]

I'm considering learning to knit. Is it easy? What will I need and how much will it cost? And will being left handed make it harder for me?

[NotQuiteCockney]

The first bit can be a bit of a struggle. But it isn't hard to learn.

You will need: some sort of book. Or you can learn online. Some needles (a few quid), and some yarn (a few quid, but an ongoing expense). A crochet hook and some tapestry needles are also useful.

Here is a big knitting thread.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Oh, as a lefty, you have two basic options. One is to learn to knit "backwards", using the English style. Doing all the right-handed things with your left hand and so on. This makes learning new stitches etc a bit tricky.

If you are a relatively ambi sort of lefty, continental or German knitting would be good. You use both hands in this style, much more than you do in English knitting. But the stitches are the same, and you can follow normal patterns and instructions.

[Stylish]

Thanks. I think i'll look into continental knitting as I do tend to use my right hand for everything except writing!

[NotQuiteCockney]

The Stitch'n'Bitch book goes into it. Also, there's a website that mears (I think?) links to a lot, that has videos.

Continental/German knitting is meant to be faster and more efficient. I certainly prefer it to English-style.

[Filyjonk]

Knitting is great! And you can take it as far as you want-there's always more to learn but once you've got the basic stitches you can make loads of lovely stuff. Soooo relaxing too.

Good luck!

[Stylish]

Do I need any old knitting needles? Or certain ones?

[stitch]

4mm ones will do for most projects.
you can usually pick up for less than fifty pence in charity shops, though not all charity shops do them.
alos, beware, you can ttake them into the cabin on a plane anymore.

[stitch]

the best way to learn to knit is to find a nice old woaman to show you. very helpful.

[Stylish]

I'm in Bournemouth. New to the area so not a clue whats around.

Speaking of old women My gran tried to teach me when I was younger.. It failed miserabley as she couldn't work out how to teach me as a lefty [back then I was more lefty then now]

[NotQuiteCockney]

If you use non-metal needles, they're fine on planes. Just FYI. And I think even metal ones are fine now. Certaily Denise needles (a set of plastic circulars) are fine on planes.

Oh, if you're doing continental, you'll find circular needles easier to use, because of how they distribute the weight. They're also a lot tidier, I find.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Filyjonk, how are you getting on with your ribbing + circulars?

[tamum]

I would echo what NQC says, and FioFio (are you who I think you are? Hurray loads of times if so). It's definitely worth trying to get the right size needles for the yarn you're using, or your knitting will be too loose or too tight, which is going to be a bit off-putting. Although you can certainly get cheap wool in charity shops I think your best bet might be to go to a knitting shop and get a ball with a ball band on it because that should tell you the recommended size needles. I would avoid metal needles if possible, they don't slip along when you're learning the way plastic and wood do.

I haven't been to Bournemouth for ages so I don't know if there's any good shops there but there's a new knitting shop opened in Lyme Regis if you're ever down that way- it's small enough that the owner is likely to be an enthusiast! If you could just find someone left-handed to teach you.....

[Stylish]

I took the bull by the horns and bid on

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8255623532&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

and

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8253198179&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

to get me started.. Fingers crossed i'll be knitting soon

[tamum]

Did you win, Stylish? If not, let me know and I'll look out some spare needles for you. I'm sure I've got some duplicates.

[Stylish]

Thanks Tamum but both auctions were successful

[Marina]

Hey stylish, just spotted this. I am an ambi-lefty (now I know thanks NQC )and do continental knitting - self-taught.
Good luck and let us know how you get on

[Stylish]

Hi Marina

Was it hard to teach yourself? I'm dying for everything to arrive so I can get going!!

Stylish

[yoyo]

I am about to learn too as DD2 is really keen. Have bought a kit that comes with a book, yarn and needles so wish us luck. Am hoping to be able to make something useful by next Christmas!

[Marina]

Stylish, I got my practice in knitting scarves and whatnot first, before attempting anything shaped, or in textured yarn. This was pre-Mumsnet and how I wish I'd had e-knitters' brains to pick!
I'll be honest and say I have always struggled with my tension being a bit tighter than it's supposed to be, and also casting on. But I know plenty of "normal" knitters similarly afflicted
I can now do cardigans, Fair Isle and textures without too much angst

[Stylish]

Oo a fellow learner Good luck yoyo

"Anything shaped or in textured wool" BLIMEY lol I wasn't even thinking of that anytime this century If I can sucessfully make a scarf then I will happy

[NotQuiteCockney]

Yeah, I did a hat and a cardigan to start with, and they were both unwearably bad. Then I did a really big blanket. Nice and simple, just knits and purls, but lots and lots of them, to get the practice in.

It took me less than a year to start doing more interesting stuff, but the blanket is very nice, and very popular - apparently strangers are always asking my SIL where she got it from.

[Stylish]

speaking of blankets.. Is Patchworking easy?

Stylish