Want to learn to knit and sew...

[AugustaCarp]

Can you direct me to some good resources for beginners?

[holmessweetholmes]

I learnt to knit from videos on YouTube mostly. There are some really good, simple clear ones. Once you've got the hang of it, the Ravelry website is brilliant for free patterns, help with techniques/problems and for general knitting chat. Will sed if I can find you the first video I used...

[holmessweetholmes]

Just google 'videojug knitting' Videojug has loads of simple knitting videos. I started with a chunky scarf - super quick to make, even for a total beginner.
Can't help with the sewing I'm afraid - I am dreadful at it!

[574ejones]

I don't know what type of sewing you are doing, but try to get hold of some basic books from your library or book shop. I found Sewing Machine Basics by Jane Bolsover a good starting point. It has some good explanations and a variety of easy projects to make.

[AugustaCarp]

Thank you!

Eventually I'd like to run up clothes for DD, but I expect that's a way off yet

[fossil971]

I would maybe get a magazine like Mollie Makes one of the multi-craft mags for some inspiration and easy projects, and then have a look through some library books. For knitting, if you can get to a knitting shop or a John Lewis they will get you set up with the basics. In fact lots of knitting and needlework shops do classes.

If you want to do clothes then a sewing machine will come in handy pretty soon. Happy stitching!

[AugustaCarp]

Thank you!

[Chocolateteabag]

Try sewing books from the library and look on eBay for cheap patterns (ie around £1-2 incl postage)

Then practise! - either with old sheets or stuff from a charity shop or vv cheap poly cotton. Have a go at making simple dresses or try craftgawker.com for easy "mans shirt to summer dress" refashions which don't need patterns. Sew Easy or magazines like it have simple dress projects too - may be able to get back copies on eBay as well. But there are a lot of tutorials on people's blogs for easy sewing ideas.

Only once you've got some confidence in getting the right size of something, try anything with decent fabric. It's heartbreaking to realise you've messed something up and can't finish it without getting more material bitter voice of experience


For knitting - I love Ravelry for the way you can search for free patterns and see what others have made following the same pattern. Lots of good advice on there too

[holmessweetholmes]

Yes, Ravelry is fab, because it has everything from amazingly complex patterns to gawp at in astonishment, to really quick easy ones for total beginners. I do could spend hours on there! It also lists local knitting groups, if you're interested.