I would like to learn to knit, but have no idea where to start

[GlaikitFizzog]

I see all these threads on here where you all make the most beautiful blankets for those who need an extra special hug. And I really would like to help

My mum tried to teach me when I was younger, but we both lack the patience to teach or be taught by a relative. She has been knitting like mad for DS since he was born and I would like to learn to do some of my own and to maybe be good enough one day to be involved in one of the MN blankets.

I need help with the lot, a good tutorial, what needles to use, what wool to use, everything. If someone could be so kind as to give me the basic "beginners kit" requirements I would really appreciate it.

I really liked the original "Stitch 'n' Bitch" book - it had lots of easy to follow diagrams, some nice projects to have a go at, and whilst I found it trying a bit hard to be hip and funky all the time, it didn't assume I was 107 and had been knitting since Disraeli was Prime Minister.

Knitted corset cover, anyone?

I found the debbie bliss baby knits book [[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Knits-Beginners-Debbie-Bliss/dp/0091889138/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1330369519&sr=8-3 here] was a good starting point for me, lots of family and friends due babies and small knits are easier to finish. It has a list in front of basic kit.

Do you have a nice yarn shop near you? If you pop in they can probably sort you out with the right needles, for the right yarn, for the right pattern. They usually have a folder full of patterns, varying in ability. If you tell them what you want to do that should help them help you.

Also do you have a stitch 'n bitch group near you? They are often quite happy to help newbies [turn up with a ball of DK and a pair of 4mm needles and they should help you out]. Ask at the yarn shop if you aren't sure, they should know what's about.

If you are local I'd be happy to show you what to do, I am outskirts of Bath/Bristol.

The squares for the blankets have all been knitted in 4mm needles using DK wool (Debbie Bliss Cashmerino or Rowan Cashsoft).

I would advise using something a bit cheaper to start with and have a look on Youtube for video tutorials and practice a bit. HOWEVER the blanket constructors have always said that a square made with love is worth it's weight in gold and it doesn't matter if it is made by someone technically proficient or a complete beginner as long as the sentiment is there.

If you are in the Midlands (Northants) I would be glad to help you. I have taught DD2 to knit - stroppy preteen, yuk!

YouTube for tutorials.

Come to Reading on Friday and hopefully someone who can knit will be there? Or I'll teach you to crochet (can't knit for toffee)

Shameless plug but if you're in the Suffolk area, contact me, I run weekend and evening classes for knitting, sewing and crochet. Prices are terribly reasonable.

my husband and I learnt from a youtube lady called "teen knit cafe". we've made a patchwork blanket just using the basic knitting stitch, each "square" is the size of one ball of wool and we didn't follow a pattern, just made what we felt like making. it looks really nice now. so yeah, just go for it-the bigger the wool the bigger the needles the easier it is. also, if you have any holes in it at the end you can sew them up and can't tell the difference!

Thank you so much for all the offers of help! Alas, I am in deepest darkest Scotland, although a wee trip to Englandshire sounds lovely!!

The only place I've seen wool being sold round here is a pound shop or John Lewis in Edinburgh and thats a bit of a trek away. If I started with the pound shop stuff then splash out a bit? Are 4mm needles big enough for a beginner? I vaguely remember my mum trying to teach me with HUGE green needles :o

Anywhere online I can get needles?

I would recommend Kemps Woolshop for online purchases. They have these Knitting Needles and often have some lovely wool in the clearance section.

i learnt to crochet using YouTube! there were millions of videos.
i tried years ago from a book, but just didnt get it. im sure there are lots of youtube videos for this to.

If you can get a pass on 2 Sundays (doesn't need to be consecutive) to come to Edinburgh this could fit the bill beginner knitting course I've looked into beginner classes and this seems well priced.

Also these guys though also Edinburgh based knitting for all will come and run a course with a group of friends.

Glaikit, I order a lot of wool from McAree, they have branches in Edinburgh, Stirling and Falkirk and their website is here.

4mm needles are fine for a beginner - the books that have already been recommended are good, I also have a very old and tatty copy of Knitting for Dummies, which is great and assumes nothing. YouTube is your friend as well, I'm sure a person could learn to build a space shuttle from scratch off YouTube videos, but definitely you can learn the basics of knitting. I like the PlanetPurl ones but there are lots.

There are also lots of great classes (although I'm sure slowginny's are the best in Suffolk ) - my local knitting shop runs some great ones.

If you want to join Ravelry you can do a search on your local knitting shops and see what's near you.

I've ordered some 4mm needles and some wool!! I'm actually excited!!

No doubt I'll be back screaming in frustration that I can't cast on/off/dropping stitches!

Thank you all again! :o

Where in scotland are you! I'm in dundee and a knitaholic.

I'm just outside Edinburgh not far from Livingston, StrawberryBlonde (I can't call you bint :o).

Try your local charity shops for wool and needles. Usually have to ask as they keep them in the back! Ravelry is a great site for patterns. Denholm mill have wool too. Pondstretcher also have some acrylic wool to mess around with. Enjoy x

Try your local charity shops for wool and needles. Usually have to ask as they keep them in the back! Ravelry is a great site for patterns. Denholm mill have wool too. Pondstretcher also have some acrylic wool to mess around with. Enjoy x

You've a Hobbycraft in Almondvale these days as well - get you, when I lived in West Lothian you had to raise and shear your own sheep for wool (this is a complete lie, incidentally). Hobbycraft isn't the cheapest but they do do some cheap-and-cheerful yarns as well as some fancier stuff.

You may find bamboo or wooden needles are easier to get on with - I used to be a metal needle person but have since converted to wood. Hobbycraft doesn't do much in the way of non-metal needles (it has a few in bamboo but they tend to be very long) but there are plenty of places to get them if you find the yarn a bit slippy.

I was fortunate enough to have been taught the basics by my mum - but now that she can no longer advise me, I find googling things I don't know works really well. There are lots of really good knitting web-sites out there. Sometimes a video helps me best, but sometimes the sites with the simple diagrams are the best.

id forgotten about hobbycraft. :o

I was coming here to ask the very same thing!

Someone bought me the Knitty Gritty book as a present and it's fab. It's so easy to follow - I am a complete beginner but since Christmas have made 3 scarves using different stitches, a hat, and now I'm knitting a cardi, I'm addicted! Good Luck!

Best knitting help I know:
www.knittinghelp.com/

'Tis in American, sorry, but I find the videos are really easy to follow and there is a glossary of abbreviations.

I agree, you tube is great. I've been knitting for years but still learning complicated stuff and even that is on there. I'm making a hot water bottle cover at the moment, easy peasy but more interesting than scarves and hats :)

UPDATE!!

My needles and wool arrived yesterday and tonight with the help of KnittingtipsbyJudy I have knitted my first ever 5 rows! I looks a bit like a wool factory after a visit by the local stray cats, but it's 5 rows of knitting none the less!! My eyes are now crossing I'm so tired so I'm calling it a night!

Congratulations :) It's fun once you get started. Why not do a square for Wubbly or MrsK's blanket? It only needs to be plain knitting, I think we might be short of plain ones this time around. It doesn't need to be perfect, just made with love & kindness :)