Knitting for beginners

[Arconialiving]

I'd like to get into better TV watching habits and stay off my phone but that's pretty much impossible for me (unless it's the Olympics or Happy Valley)

So I thought if I did something like knitting, then that would keep my hands busy!

Can anyone recommend any beginner knitting guides or just an easy way to get started (including needles/ volume of wool / websites to purchase from etc)?

TIA

Great idea! Are you starting from scratch or do you already know how to cast on & off, knit stitch and purl?
I am a keen knitter who knew how to knit and purl from childhood but has taught myself everything since then using books and you tube, on a ‘need to know’ basis.
I started with ‘Debbie Bliss Baby Knits for beginners’ but any beginners book would do as well. I recommend a patchwork square blanket as a first project, that gets you started on the basics. Go for bigger needles (and corresponding yarn) to start with so you have the satisfaction of seeing something grow. Do not unpick your first project for imperfections, just enjoy the learning process.
Any half decent knitting shop will help you get started.

I'd recommend size 8 needles and worsted weight yarn for a beginner. If the needles are too small, they are too fussy to learn on, but I find larger than an 8 awkward to work with and rarely use them.

I've knitted, crocheted, cross-stiched, quilted (and nearly any other needle art you could name) in front of the TV since I was 10 years old. I like to be busy, and there is something tangible happening for your time. We have a beautiful patio area now and nice days are spent outside stitching.

When my kids were small, I kept a project at the ready by my favorite sitting spot so, even if I had only a few spare minutes, I could easily sit down, pick it up and go. It mean that nearly every day I could spend a few minutes and those minutes added up, plus it was something just for me. These days, I usually have at least two within reach.

Enjoy!

Thank you both!

@allnewfor2024 I was quite a good knitter when I was a child but have no recollection of it whatsoever as haven't knit in well over 35 years! I am hoping that if I can get started then some sort of muscle memory will come back but not counting on it!

In UK you might find double knit wool and 4mm needles more easily, but agree that YouTube is a great resource. If the first one doesn't make sense to you then try another.
Muscle memory very likely to help you out once you start ...I knit in a group and we see this often with people who learnt as a child...it comes back once they get going.

I’m not a knitter but I crochet. I taught myself to stop snacking. Every time I got the urge
to snack I picked up my hook.

I learned on YouTube, I’m sure you can do the same for knitting. Having a hobby that creates
something tangible is so fulfilling.

Thanks yes - staying off my phone and not replacing that with drinking wine and snacking instead is a big driver too re knitting. And whilst not an athlete, the Olympics have inspired me to try to do something a bit more useful also!

Sorry, I'm in the US and forgot that our sizing was different.

I think it will come back when you see some instructions. There are so many Youtube videos that help with each step.

I learned to knit as an adult mostly from YouTube videos. I like VeryPink Knits channel and Purl Soho tutorials, but there are many other good ones too. Purl Soho also has lots of free knitting patterns that you can look up easily. If you want access to a huge library of patterns, sign up for a site called Ravelry. You can search patterns based on difficulty level, needle size, free/paid etc.

When I first started, I was making simple things like washcloths and headbands and repetitive things like scarves. I would probably work with yarn that’s for maybe 4-6mm needles to get started. I’ve bought yarn from a few places online, but I usually look at a shop called LoveCrafts first. There are so many brands and types of yarn to choose from but I would say maybe look for acrylic to start with (if you want inexpensive) and just choose colours you like!

That's great, thank you!

Just got back into knitting recently. How is it going OP?

I learned from a grandmother in childhood so it's all coming back to me.