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 need a bit more practice before doing a square. I might pop on the thread as someone would have to talk me through it. How many stitches and rows id need to do etc! I have some rowan cashsoft as it was on special offer. Ds has been up since 5 so I've done a few more rows!

Measure what you have got at the moment and count how many stitches that is. For a MN blanket square you need 15x15 cm (or 6"x6"), so you need to do a little bit of arithmetic to work it out. It usually is about 32/33 stitches. Then you knit. When it looks like a square (pick up the right hand bottom corner and put it with the left hand top corner and it should make a perfect triangle) cast it off.
Has anybody said "ravelry" yet? (ravelry.com)

I learnt to knit as a child, though my technique is slow my tension is perfect! However I have let it lapse, due to the last knitting project being stuck on 'pick up x stitches' (where x>100 )

I still remember my first scarf. Since I often split the wool when inserting the needle, the longer it got the wider it got

I do want to take it up again, hence my appearance on this thread. I should really learn a better technique, but am scared of messing up that perfect tension...

Proper knitting shops in Linlithgow, Broxburn and Whitburn. I reccommend "knitting for dummies", it was my bible when I was starting out.hth good luck.

Ooh ThisIs, what's the name of the shop in Linlithgow? I used to go in there for cross-stitch stuff, I had completely forgotten its existence.

I second Knitting for Dummies, it's really nice and clear - tasters are on their website.

Nifty needles. Not just for knitters has lots of cross stitch and tapestry stuff too (I forgot about that half of the shop) .

Ah yes! I did a virtual stroll down the main road through Linlithgow on Google Streetview yesterday and there it was. It looks remarkably similar (the whole street, not just Nifty Needles) to 10 or more years ago.