i can't knit

[janek]

if someone taught me, would i be able to make something nice straight away, or would i have to make loads and loads of scarves and egg cosies before i was good enough to make something worthwhile..?

Me either, my DH jokes that the knitting needle has had lots of jackets:) I have tried a cardigan but pulled it down, then I tried a hat then pulled it down, so am starting with a scarf, I have manged about 20 rows or which I am happy with but this is my 3rd attempt. I used to knit as a child with my mum but forgot, but there are some good videos on the net that show you step by step instructions. HTH

You would be able to do some baby mittens and then some baby socks. And then a baby jacket. There are patterns for all of these in just garter stitch: every row knit. Join Ravelry (Ravelry.com) and you may find a knitting group nearby. There is also at least one group for novice knitters.
Don't even think about doing a scarf, they are very boring to do, lots of work and if you are not very experienced they will not even look good after you have struggled through with it.

PS Egg cosies and baby mittens have a lot in common. The difference is that mittens are quite useful:-I have a call out for them for a hospital in South America so if you do a pair or two you can send them to me.

DutchOma is totally right - don't do a scarf! It'll take you forever and I guarantee you'll be bored by the end.

What do you want to make? Most things are easy really, I promise but you'll be more motivated if it's something you actually want.

Hats are quite straight forward. Just large egg cosies really and if you use a fairly chunky yarn (not too chunky because very large needles are unwieldy) it is very quick.

I can't remember what I did first but it certainly wasn't a scarf. Might have been a pair of gloves actually although that sounds quite hard. Wouldn't surprise me as I like to jump in with both feet and worry about how hard it is later. I certainly did a very simple v neck jumper very early on too.

I would say chose something simple and interesting and go for it. Make it for yourself and use cheap yarn so that you don't have to worry about the finish too much. The only way to learn is by doing.

I too cannot knit. I lament this as would have loved to have knitted outfits for the dcs.

According to my mum I can knit some kind of complicated French style (my usual trying to knit style which is the only way I know how, but hard for true knitters to achieve somehow)but can't for the life of me knit normally.

Once upon a time I could cast on and cast off. And find a dropped stitch.

I really hate it as I am a very creative person in lots of other areas:(

I cant knit either. The last time I tried, (aged 11), I lost my temper with my best friend who had successfully knitted her mouse, and threw my knitting needle at her face. It missed her eye by millimetres and I vowed to never pick up knitting again.

I can't knit either. My mom tried to teach me last time I was home, but I've forgotten everything already.

I didn't even get as far as a scarf. I made a blanket for the hamster

I can knit, it was the only thing my mother taught me.

Some people pick it up quickly and some people are slower, like anything.

Just have a go.

I tend to knit too tightly, so everything comes up smaller.

I only knitted baby clothes, as they don't take long.

A blanket for the hamster sounds really creative. I bet he ate it though

Try with some large needles, 10mm or so and some chunky wool, doesn't take long to do a scarf that way!

the thing is, i don't want a scarf, i've got a scarf, i want something nice, like a jumper or cardi or something, or something similar for one of my dds, but i don't want to bother if it will turn out rubbish...

i have just learnt to darn, and am quite good at that, is that any indication of my potential knitting success?!?

thanks for the replies, i'll have a look at revelry dutch oma, of course this is all dependent on me finding someone to show me how to knit in the first place...

Search for beginners knitting on U tube. I learnt to crochet on U tube!! It helps, because you can watch someone doing it; it's easier than reading about it.

Janek, the thing about Ravelry (Not Revelry) is that you might find a club local to you. If not, try a local wool shop where there may be ladies to help you, or maybe a mums and tots group. It is very much easier if you can be shown how to do it and yes, if you can darn it is likely that you will be able to learn to knit.

you could knit something nice like a cardigan but if you are using a fine wool you need absolute oodles of time to devote to it.

a more chunky wool and big needles woudl produce something quicker. fluffy wools like eyelash etc can also produce some good results on bigger needles.

with knitting you need to have time to devote to it to do bigger things.

How old are your DDs? Debbie Bliss does some good beginners patterns for babies/toddlers.

If you get on Ravelry, there's a pattern called Shalom that's a sleeveless cardi thing. It's all in one piece (no seaming) and is really easy. Also, it uses chunky wool so is a nice quick knit.

i was imagining knitting of an evening, presumably i would get quicker, but it would start painfully slowly.

i tried to get on ravelry (revelry sound like more fun though...), but i couldn't find a nickname that hadn't already been taken. i didn't try that hard though, i will, of course, try again.

my dds are 23 mths and 4.5, a sleeveless cardi sounds like a good start BTF, i will look into that.

thank you all for your kind words and lack of discouragement .

Just read my last post back and realised that it sounds like Shalom is a kid's pattern which it isn't, it's for adults. Sorry.

Anyway, it's good your DDs are small, you can practice on them before tackling something for yourself!

i've just been looking at shalom. it looks good. To be honest, i only wanted to make something for the dds if it was necessary to practise... dd1 is at school and wears a school uniform most of the time, dd2 has all of dd1's old cardi's and therefore has tonnes.

i, however, feel the cold, but refuse to put the heating on, so a nice thick-knit sweater could be right up my street.

i'm going on holiday on fri, but intend to get my mum to show me the knitting ropes when i return. sadly, i've left it 20 years too late to ask my nana, the true knitting guru, how to do it, but one trained at her side might just be adequate.

if this turns out to be successful (dp doubts i'll ever get round to it. oh he of little faith) i may be back to ask for more recommendations.