Help with needles and wool for a complete novice please

[Firsttobed]

Right, I am going to knit scarves for Christmas. One for my DH, one for a 4 year old boy and one for an almost 3 year old girl.

Trouble is I haven't knitted since I was a child. I don't have needles or wool. I have an idea of colours but none of what type of wool or how thick. Can anyone give me a few ideas? And where to get it from? We live in the middle of nowhere so online shopping is good! Thank you!!

A kit?
Remember the thicker the wool the quicker the knit.
Any knitting circles nearby? YouTube is good for tutorials.
I went back to knitting using fluffy wool to knit a scarf. Texture hides a multitude of sins!

Thicker wool will need thicker needles. You'll get less wool in a ball but the scarf will knit up quicker.

What stitch are you doing? Just garter? You could get some chunky on 8mm needles, or even super chunky with 10mm needles which would knit up quickly. I've used King Cole Aero before which knits up quickly.

Where abouts are you? I'm also in the middle of nowhere but our Age Concern shops sell yarn very cheaply. If you're in the north east then Boyes do a great variety of yarn too. If you can't get chunky, then double knit needs 4mm needles, or you could do 2 strands together on 7 or 8 mm ones.

Does this help at all?

Go to the charity shops. They always have needles and wool. New needles cost a fortune, as does yarn. I agree with the posts recomending big needles and chunky yarn. Don't be tempted to buy the very fancy " svarf yarn", ie that with pom poms,loops etc, it is a bugger to knit with. Stick to thick colourfull yarn. Good luck. Oh and you could try your local wool shop for classes, they are often free and a great way of learning to knit as well as make new friends.

That's fantastic, thanks all. Yes, I'm just planning to use garter stitch, keep it simple! I hadn't thought about using charity shops, I'll take a look.

Thanks ever so much for the recommendations particularly the specifics daisybell

If you are anywhere near a large branch of Wilkinson's, they sell cheap knitting needles and wool. Also, if your town has a good size market, then there may well be a knitting/haberdashery stall that will sell wool and needles much cheaper than a specialist wool shop.

Otherwise, Deramores.co.uk is great for online shopping and usually has lots of special offers and clearance deals. Ravelry.com is brilliant for free patterns. Happy knitting - you'll soon be addicted I'm sure!

When I decided to take up knitting a couple of years ago I bought something like Sirdar Big Softie or Rowan Big Wool (can't remember exactly) and 8mm needles.

Have you looked at Aneeta Patel's book Knitty Gritty? I found it really helpful.

Good luck!

Thanks Eliza - I have the book! I figured that since i have it, I'd better get on with it! And MandMand I'm going to be near a wilkos over half term. Will have a look.

Many thanks for all the advice ladies.

I recently bought some Patons 'Fab Big' wool - you need 10mm needles, but there is a scarf pattern on the yarn wrapper. One ball makes a scarf.