I want to learn to knit,,,,

[lunavix]

I bought two knitting books (one was debbie bliss can't remember the other) and while they had a 'learners' bit I couldn't make sense of it! May have started out ambitious...

I'm a tad uncoordinated but I'd love to learn - who/what can help?

[Tamum]

The Knitting at Knoon videos are very good and clear, but I think it's far better to get someone to sit down with you and show you, if possible. Do you have a local shop that might run classes? NQC taught herself from the Stitch n Bitch book I know, but I learnt when I was so young I can't remember learning now. I taught dd fairly easily, but I doubt very much that she'd have managed to do it from a book.

[wartywarthog]

this is a good site. start off in the getting started section. they have videos which are pretty clear.

[mollicat]

Where abouts are you lunavix?

If your local to me then I'd be happy to show you

[lunavix]

berkshire Miles from anyone!

[mollicat]

Oh dear well never mind, its easy once you get going & we'l all expect new hats & gloves for next winter

[Fillyjonk]

I KNEW you were a knitter luna

can you do a class? or even put an ad up locally? I utterly agree, its really hard to learn from books.

oh those books are crappy btw with their "learners bits"

I have a video-the art of knitting one SOMEWHERE. don't know how good it is but you're very welcome to [email protected]

[hana]

yes - I was at a craftstore yesterday and asked if they ran knitting classes ( they do cardmaking and a few other classes in the afternoons and weekends)
lady said no, but she'd be happy to show me - just to drop by!

was v nice and if I didn't have 2 cdhildren to lug around I woujld have!

[Fillyjonk]

have just thought of something

do you have an old fashioned local yarn store

go in there and ask if she knows of someone who will help you get started

she'll probably just show you herself, if you go in when its quiet

if you are stuck otherwise-yeah, stitch n bitch is the way to go, though their stuff is largely vile

[Fillyjonk]

take the kids hana! Bribe them with stuff!

it won't take long-honestly and then you will be able to knit!

[hana]

I think I will
will fob off 2 year old and take baby - mum is a fab knitter and I want to be able to knit what she does but we don't live nearby at all...

[lunavix]

Filly - no, like I said, a wannabe knitter

Thanks everyone, I'll have a look at those vids Tamum, and warty, and I'll ask at a local craft shop, I know they do the odd crafty session...

[Fillyjonk]

oh gosh luna, its all the same really

knitting clearly has a place in your heart, thats all we ask

the need for brittany birch needles will come

[lunavix]

lol heart definately in the right place

I dream of knitted nappy wraps that I have hand crafted....

I don't know about birch needles but I'm definately interested in bamboo - no idea if they're any good, I just love bamboo

[Fillyjonk]

you know you can make bamboo needles?

(must convert...must convert...)

[lunavix]

really???

OhI'm going to love knitting Am going to the craft shop to beg lessons in exchange for buying paraphenalia this afternoon. I did try to source bits off freecycle to no avail.

[Fillyjonk]

how'd it go, luna?

[Tatties]

Lunavix, I can really recommend that Knitting Help website. I could vaguely remember how to knit from school, but didn't know how to cast on, cast off, purl, etc.. yet I learned from the videos on that site! Still got lots to learn but I am a total knitting convert

[grannym]

How about a video link for knitting? I would be happy to show anyone how to cast on and knit stitches and purl stitches and cast off. If people can chat over a web, how about learning to knit over a webcam? That must be one solution.

[grannym]

How about a video link for knitting? I would be happy to show anyone how to cast on and knit stitches and purl stitches and cast off. If people can chat over a web, how about learning to knit over a webcam? That must be one solution.

[expatinscotland]

Did you try it, luna?

I'd like to give it a go, but I am left-handed.

I've tried in the past, but it seems I'm going to need to learn from someone who is either left-handed or maybe a more European-style.

I sew a fair amount already, but that's less portable.

[stleger]

Have you tried learning to knit looking in a mirror expat? (Dunno if it works!)

[expatinscotland]

Yes, and it doesn't work.

The lady who tried to teach me suggested I learn from someone who knits European style.

[stleger]

Is European with needles in your armpits? (Or have you oxters in Scotland?) Looking in a mirror is an urban myth so.

[expatinscotland]

No, European is needles flying everywhere, casting on with both needles and such.

I've tried to knit, and whilst I am ambidextrous in many ways - I cannot use scissors or swing a club or racket or iron, play a guitar or use an iron with my left hand, for example - I'm definitely left handed when I try to knit.