How do I learn how to knit?

[AngryBeaver]

Bear with me,myb 2yr old ds has pulled lots of keys off the laptop so it's tricky to type.
i've just bought a coat for my 4yr old dd and have scoured shops and the net for a matching beret/mits/scarf..with no luck.
i thought id found one,but its a pattern you have to make yourself.
i do n't know anyone who can knit(neither my mum or gran)but id love to make this beret set.
i can cross-stitch,so am not useless with things like this,but how do i start?
(it would be lovely to make little cardi's and things for my 6month old!)

I learned from watching videos on the internet and from books from the library.

1, Have a think about how you like to learn... do you learn best from books, from someone showing you and you copying them, in private or in a group etc... If you learn best from books I like knitty gritty, If you'd learn best from a person and don't mind the group situation then you might find there is a Stich n Bitch group or similar near you - they're often advertised at your nearby independant yarn store or library.
Or if you like to study yourself you might find it easiest to watch a few and take it from there.

If you have found a pattern you like I suggest you buy the yarn and needles that they recommend in the pattern. Or if you haven't found a pattern yet then there are thousands - many of them free on Ravelry. This is a free knitting community and I highly recommend it to you.

If you get stuck at all free to PM me - I love knitting and helping people....!

I just learned to knit about a month ago. I found some brilliant videos on a website called videojug. They were much clearer than any of the ones I found on YouTube. I have gone from total non-knitter to obsessive wool-buyer and one-woman-scarf-making-machine in a very short space of time! I am now on my 9th Christtmas present scarf .
The Ravelry website is brilliant, but the trouble is that you go on there, see gorgeous things to knit, then look at the pattern and go 'Eek! That's far too difficult'. There are beginners' patterns, but the ones that I see and want to make are always tricky.
Anyway, will try to do link to videojug 'make a very quick chunky scarf' video... www.videojug.com/film/how-to-knit-a-scarf

Goldberry good warning - you do have to be careful that knitting doesn't become an obsession.. what starts out as just a hat, scarf and pair of gloves can swiftly become a master-plan to knit the universe :-)

oooh,thankyou!that's really helpful info.pmsl at 'stitch n bitch'...classic!
thanksknitterfor your offer,you may live to regret it!!

i found www.knittinghelp.com invaluable... loads of vidoes of lots of different stitches. has english and continental knitting styles.

If you do go on Ravelry you can find out if there are any groups nearby. Also if you do have a proper wool store nearby they will be able to show you.
Also, if you have any connection with a church, there are often women's groups that would have knitters among them, mums and tots often have as well.

Simply Knitting magazine has pictorial instructions for knitting and crochet every month.

Also search on Facebook for local knitting or craft socials.