i would like to knit. where do i start

[elmoandella]

hi, i would really like to be able to knit a blanket for ds and dd to keep. being really ambitious and hope to be able to line it with fleece.

is knitting a blanket a really hard thing to do. should i start with something simpler?

i would be really gratefull if anyone has any beginner guides to knitting they could donate. and any old mish mash bits of wool to practice on.

dont want to spend a fortune on wool and books (or i read somewhere about patterns? what heck is pattern all about) to find i am completely hopeless it at.

[ranting]

I am actually having a bit of a stash clear out, so you can probably have some yarn (be warned some of it is acrylic and some people are a bit snobby about it). If you want some CAT me, I'm about to go to bed so will get back to you tomorrow.

www.lionbrand.com has some good blanket patterns and you can probably get hold of a beginners knitting book at the library. Have a look at www.knittinghelp.com to get an idea of how to start to knit.

[elmoandella]

thanks. anyone else? theres a code thing for these patterns. are they a common abbreviations. or will different companies have different codes.

[NotQuiteCockney]

The abreviations are standardised, more or less.

A blanket can be fine - just do something simple like garter stitch - just knit every stitch, iyswim.

The online guides are great.

[elmoandella]

what will i need to get to actually start. other than wool. whats the basic equipment i will need.?

[bundle]

some needles - a size 4mm should be ok for dk (double knitting, the commonest thickness of yarn)
scissors
darning needle to sew in ends
tape measure
some pattens - or just cast on a number of stitches and see what happens

[elmoandella]

ok thanks.

[DutchOma]

Once you have your needles and yarn, cast on 30 sts and knit 50 rows. You should have a 6" square. Do 36 of them, join them together and you should have a blanket. If you only manage 4 of them you have a very small blanket.

[elmoandella]

ok. i'll try. going this afternoon for some needles.

[elmoandella]

trying to watch these instruction videos. there's just so many choices of types of knitting.

what would anyone suggest should i start with. using the link above.

what do i cast on and i'm being really dumb but no idea if i should be knitting or purling or sticking it up my arse. getting so confused by these videos.

[DutchOma]

Can you manage to do the casting on? Making a little loop and making more stitches out of that first stitch. If it all makes no sense you probably need to be shown before you stick it anywhere unfortunate. See if you can join Ravelry and join a local group or go back to the yarn store and ask someone to show you.

[DutchOma]

You won't be doing any purling until you can knit.

[elmoandella]

dutchoma there is about 5 ways of casting on from the video demonstrations on that link above. which one would you suggest i use?

[elmoandella]

ok. so i've got the casting off line done. few. took a few goes. went for the long tail one.so now do i do the knit onto this. assuming i do. correct me if i'm wrong

[BirdyArms]

Yes, you knit onto the stitches you've got on your needle. I taught myself from the Sitch and Bitch book which I found pretty clear.

[elmoandella]

only problem is. from the castin on i have. where the videos show to knit i have the end of my wool . so i'm just unravelling what i've just cast on???

[DutchOma]

Well done for getting this far.

You say "the above link", but I'm not sure which site you are using. You should have the thread which comes from the ball at your right hand and use that to knit the stitches on the left hand pin with. I'll have look later, if you are still stuck, exactly what the "long tail" method involves. I'm afraid I just do it, without knowing what the exact name for it is.

[elmoandella]

long tail gives me it the wrong way aroud. i went for the next option. where you just kinda loop round your finger to cast on.

just trying to master the next row. but i seem to be doing my cast on too tight. as i cant get into it easily.

[DutchOma]

Use two needles and pull one out gently when you have done the casting on. Shove your stitches right to the end before you do, otherwise you might lose some.

[elmoandella]

i'm trying and trying. when i get them on it just doesn't look right. can anyone take a picture of what the first row of knit should look like after cast on row. it really would be impossible for me to get to any groups.

[TinkerBellesMum]

I got "The Art of Knitting" series when I wanted to start knitting. It's a great introduction to the different styles and it's easy. You end up making a blanket then there are patterns in there so you can make other things too and all sorts of different help.

[DutchOma]

There are two pictures on my profile, not sure whether they are any help.

[elmoandella]

i'm definately doing something wrong. i have the cast on right i'm sure. but when i'm adding my first knit row i dont seem to be getting anywhere. just seem to be doubling my loops of cast. hence making another knit row impossible as i've got 2 loops to bring over with each stitch.

[DutchOma]

Are you doing the "in,over,through and off" right? You know, you stick your right hand needle in the first stitch (front of the stitch), bring the thread over, between the pins, hook the thread through and let it slide off? I wish I could show you.
What website are you using, you didn't say.

[elmoandella]

i ended up finding another one on google. it was really good. i could see exactly what she was doing. but when i do it. it comes out completely different. should the yarn be hanging between the needles when you do the over and through. or to the right of your right needle? does that make sense?

[DutchOma]

You loop it round and then it comes back to the right of the right needle for the next stitch.