I'm just so confused

[manifestdestiny]

I can knit, but I want to learn how to do moss stitch really well and make a blanket.

I want to learn how to crochet and cross stitch too. I've tried the DIY sets you can buy, but no luck - I just get myself confused as fuck.

I see so many beautiful patterns (flowers in a row, subversive cross stitch, daisy granny squares, etc) but I have no idea how or where to start!

Is Youtube the best way to go?
Are there any good websites // tips for absolute beginners at cross stitch and crochet?

Thank you!

[Coldtoeswarmheart]

For knitting, I love Aneeta Patel's "Knitty Gritty" books - I've been knitting for years but never really got past advanced beginner stage, but have learned to knit in the round from her 2nd book. The books also have lots about stitch patterns.

[tribpot]

Moss stitch is frustratingly slow if you're just getting started, and you need to be able to recognise whether the stitch you're about to work is a purl or a knit, so you know to do the opposite (yes you can count but inevitably at some point you'll have to figure it out from knowing what the stitches look like.

Attic24 is a great place to start for beginners, or Very Pink Knits has some videos specifically for knitters wanting to convert to crochet.

[GetMeOut]

I was very similar in that I was an average knitter but could never move beyond a chain stitch in crochet and I agree, the kits didn't help. And then I found ' The Happy Hooker' and I was transformed. I worked through each chapter and then onto the great patterns in the book. The only downside is that you end up only knowing American terminology. What I found really helpful was that things were explained in two or three different ways.
Cross stitch- self taught - magazines are useful, and the best tip I had was to look for patterns that have blocks of colour together when you are starting out. Photocopy the pattern and drawn pencil lines vertically and horizontally across it so it is easier to see where you are. I also have a very useful metal board with a magnetic ruler that you put the pattern on and it helps you keep your place.
I agree on moss stitch though - avoid it like the plague. Ditto fishermans rib !

[Jinglebells99]

I love crochet. I'd learnt to knit as a child, but couldn't get the hang of crochet at all for ages. I taught myself really. Started going to a craft and chat group at the library and just persevered. My early stuff was really crap, but it fell into place. Loads of good videos on you tube. crochet is much easier than knitting imho as it is much easier to rectify mistakes as it's easy to undo and you can't drop loads of stitches!

[piraterach]

I found "the crochet crowd" is excellent at teaching crochet. Mikes posts videos all the time starting at the bare basics and working up to advanced and unusual stitches. Keep at it and I'm sure you'll get it in the end. (I'm completely self taught from watching vids on YouTube )

[steppemum]

moss stitch is very slow.
The basic one is knit one stitch purl one stitch, so it means bringing the yarn to the front and to the back between every stitch, which is why it is slow.

so - knit one, yarn to back, purl one, yarn to front, knit one
next row you need to reverse so your knit stitch is on top of the previous rows purl stitch

You can do variations on this which are quicker, eg knit 3 stitches, purl 3 stitches. If you do this, then do 3 rows the same and then reverse, so you get little squares on the finished garment.

If you can knit, purl, cast on and follow simple instructions like 'knit two together' then you should be able to follow a knitting pattern as long as it doesn't have fancy aran stitching etc

[FuckOffJeffrey]

I would recommend YouTube to learn. I have finally just learned to knit with the help of YouTube.

I have tried learning from my mum, magazines, books and beginner kits aimed at children but it just never clicked. 5 minutes on YouTube I managed to cast on and within 30 minutes I had picked up how to do a knit stitch and purl. I'm still very much a beginner but I plan on using YouTube to again to learn more when I feel ready.

[IJustLostTheGame]

I learnt crochet on YouTube.
I can make almost anything now.
I love YouTube

[Comeonmommy]

I am an absolute beginner and was unsure what I wanted to learn. I learnt the basics of knitting (cast on and off, basic knit one purl one) from a lovely lady who runs the knitting shop in my town!!! I then got lent a really good book called 'A Little Course In Knitting' which goes through wools, needles, stitches, abbreviations and has projects at the back. The book is part of a bigger collection do there is one for crochet too. I am enjoying cross stitch the most and I have found the easiest way to learn is buy a magazine with freebies and just start though I do agree with Getmeout, photocopy the pattern and tick off the hits you've done as you go!!! My favourite magazine is The World Of Cross Stitch. Lots of advice, free patterns and jargon explained. My advice is to buy knitting, crochet, cross stitch magazines with free products and give it all a go - you will then find which ones you love and can start purchasing bits. Good luck X