Learning to knit

[BeaWheesht]

I'd love to learn to knit but would probably have to teach myself as too skint for lessons and can't commit to regular classes.

Is that an impossible task?

Any tips on how to get started?

Thanks

[iheartshoes]

Sorry can't offer any help as dont have a clue but jumping on as I would love to learn also.

[BeaWheesht]

We can drop stitches together

[MrsCF]

See if there is a local knitters and natters or a knitting group at the library near you, bit like a coffee morning that you can just turn up at. I am sure there would be people who would help teach you there and you can just go if you are free.

[BeaWheesht]

Hmmm I'd be too scared to do that tbh until I could knit a bit!

[HomeEcoGnomist]

Get a beginners knitting kit (would imagine you can find one on line, you'll get a pattern for something like a blanket, some wool and your needles)

Then You Tube is your friend! Loads of clips out there showing you how to cast on, knit and purl and then cast off.

Seriously, I started a blanket when on mat leave, hadn't knitted a stitch before

[BeaWheesht]

Sounds like a plan - had a quick look on amazon and hobbycraft and can find lots of books but no kits so don't know what kind of needles or wool I would need?

[iheartshoes]

Dropping stitches together sounds good ! I want to try and make a baby blanket ....! Have u got anything in mind to make ? Thanks for the tips HomeEco

[MerryMessiahWhingesAgain]

I taught myself from a book - Debbie Bliss How to Knit but its out of print at the moment.
I know quite a few people like the Knitty Gritty book for learning to begin with, but I didn't like it that much. Most knitting magazines have a basics section at the back, between that and youtube you will be fine. Plus join Ravelry and loose many more hours of your life.

I would get some 4mm needles and a ball of DK yarn to start with. I just got the cheap stuff to practice with.

[ananikifo]

I taught myself to knit using videos on the Internet. That was 5 years ago, and I've made sweaters, scarves, mittens, socks, and baby items, and worked with multiple colours (various techniques), lace, and cables. I've never taken a class (mostly due to finances) and never joined a knitting group (mostly due to shyness). I have looked in books but honestly the free Internet stuff is more useful.

I learned most of the basics from //www.knittinghelp.com and now mostly use the forums and groups on //www.ravelry.com. I recommend any knitter join ravelry. You can join a group for whatever you want to do and get advice and links to help. I also don't know how I would find a pattern without ravelry, and many of them are free.

Joining a group is a great idea, too. One day I will! The one at my local yarn store seems really friendly but as I said I'm a bit shy!

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

Don't forget the library for knitting books - Debbie Bliss is really good for the basics. I also like Stitch & Bitch by Debbie Stoller.

But if you're a complete beginner it is easier (well, was for me) for someone else to show you. Youtube handy for this, although a knit & natter type group would be really happy to show you so don't be scared!

[RedRosie]

There is lots of support in Arts and Crafts on MN. By far the nicest bit of MN in my view.



I learned from a book - Knitty Gritty - but there is tons of help, advice and good humour here too.

I'm not very good. But there are amazing, patient people who can help. Tribpot and the like.

Get some wool, some needles (I recommend fat needles and thick wool to begin) and a guide online or in print - and just give it a go.

Good luck.

[BeaWheesht]

Thanks all. Will order some needles and wool.

I would like to make a hat for dd but tbh I think that wont be on the cards just yet!

[BeaWheesht]

Redrosie - errrr what size would fat needles be?

[Sailormercury]

I think Debbie Stollers book stitch and bitch is a good one to learn to knit from. I learnt to crochet from her book "the happy hooker".

[RedRosie]

I started with big fat wool and 10mm needles - you can see mistakes easily and it "grows" really quickly.

I'm not very good - but took part in the blanket projects with the WoollyHuggies (sad, but rather lovely as well).

I believe lots of people lear to knit and crochet just for the blankets.

[BeaWheesht]

Ok am off to look for 'big fat wool'

[RedRosie]

They don't lear to knit obviously. That would be weird.

They learn to knit.

[TheWoollybacksWife]

If you are in North Northants or the border with Leicestershire (Market Harborough way) then I can help, in person. I keep offering my services and someone, someday will take me up on it...

If you are not in this very specific part of the Midlands then YouTube is great. There are videos for casting on and casting off, knit stitch and purl stitch, plus all sorts of fancy stitches.

If you go to a wool shop or somewhere like Hobbycraft and look at a ball of yarn then they usually have a little diagram on the paper wrap. This tells you what size needles are most suitable for that yarn. As a general rule of thumb DK (Double Knitting) yarn uses 4mm needles. Thin yarn uses thin needles and thick yarn uses thick needles. Needles also come in different lengths - I use medium length about 35cm. They are also made from different materials - steel, plastic and wood like bamboo or rosewood.

[BeaWheesht]

Oh bloody hell I'm looking on amazon and there are 3 zillion 10mm needles and I've no idea which to order or which wool to get.

Am overwhelmed.

[BeaWheesht]

I am a bit far away unfortunately up in Scotland!

Your explanation is very good though! Am off to try again.

[BeaWheesht]

What about if i ordered these ??

[BeaWheesht]

I don't know how to know what Kind of wool to order though without going through the description for every listing ?

Hmmmm if I can't even order the materials is there any hope for me?

[charlottery]

Are you near a John Lewis? They will have someone in the haberdashery who will teach you

[BeaWheesht]

Nope am in middle of nowhere!

[TheWoollybacksWife]

Sirdar Big Softie needs 10mm needles.

Here from Deramores.

This would then make something like this hat