Overwhelmed by knitting

[Zigzagwanderer]

I've done a scarf for ds2 in 1x1 rib, I'm now doing random squares/rectangles to make a random blanket (a good way to practice different stitches).
I've seen some basic baby things I want to knit but just have a brain block when I see the patterns. I can't do it.
I've just started, will it come to me?
Also why can't I get my head around "knitting in the round"?
Is it just me.

I need inspiration!

I am on Ravelry but that website scares me off with all the talent on there.

knitting in a round is easy, honestly!
As far as patterns go you have to know how to increase/decrease etc. Get familiar with the terms in the patterns. Use youtube, it's fab. If you don't understand a pattern then read again and again until you do.

btw round knitting is easier using a circular needle. Using dpn's ( double pointed needles) can seem really scary, it's not, it's just fiddly. Allow yourself to make mistakes as you'll never learn otherwise!

It will come to you I think I promise. I'm by no means a great knitter but having been doing it on and off for over 30 years and I've still never got my head around knitting in the round.

Baby things are probably quite hard as they are fiddly with lots of shaping for such a small item. Might be easier to get some chunky wool and knit a simple jumper for yourself? Have you looked in Rowan books for some ideas? Grows quicker as well.

What would you like to make? Maybe someone can point you to an easy-ish pattern?

YouTube has helped, I've learned quite quickly really by just experimenting.
My problem is I can knit to a measurement as my tension isn't very consistent.
I'd like to knit a deep v neck tank top.
I'm happy to stick to scarves and blankets otherwise.

I know what you mean Zigzag

I used to think I was a good knitter until I saw some of the beautiful, intricate squares knitted for the MN blankets. I know the Woolly Hugs team love the plainer squares and my lack of skill does not put me off contributing, but I do feel intimidated when I see the colour changing squares as I just cannot get my head around them.

I can read a pattern and am confident about lace and cables. I have knitted with a circular needle for a few things but I have never tried to knit on 4 needles. I think I probably just need to give it a go, though.

Is there a particular pattern that you like the look of that is giving you gyp? If you can link to it I would be happy to give it a look to see if I can help.

If I remember this week, I'll see if I have a simple tank top pattern I can scan and send to you. I know I've one with a low rounded neck (because it's been unfinished in a bag for about 4 years ) but there may be a v necked one as well in the book.

I have knitted this tank top a number of times. It is knitted in a combination of knit and purl stitches with a bit of decreasing. The ribbing at the neck is quite easy to do. I have knitted it in Sirdar Tiny Tots yarn which is a textured yarn that is very forgiving if your stitch definition is still being worked on.

Don't be overwhelmed - knitting is brillliant!

Patterns:

IKWYM becuase I was trying some lace-making last week and the pattern was all 6-6+6-6 DNRW += etc, and I did have that brain block experience. Read the abbreviations list. Go slowly one line at a time. It will come to you. Maybe write out a few lines in full until you get used to the format, also always highlight the size you are working on.

Knitting in the round/with 4 needles is a big cheat:

You only knit on 2 needles at a time like normal knitting, when you get to the end of a needle you just move onto the next one. There is no holding 4 needles at once or anything like that. Sometimes actually having a go with the needles in your hands it will just click.

I can knit any amount of colours at once but cables and lacy stuff do my head in. Each to her own!

I am a new knitter too. I have been lucky in that my mum has been able to show me how to do things like long-tail cast on, that I thought I was doing correctly, but wasn't . However since I picked up the needles about 6 weeks ago, I have:

-Knitted a scarf that came in a kit. Long and boring but got me back in to it
-Then, with all the leftover yarn, started playing around with stitches. Stocking, then moss stitch. Learnt how to "read" the knitting so I knew how to pick it up again. What was a knit stitch vs what was a purl. I knew how to do them but not what they looked like!
-Then I tried a few of the woolly hugs ideas. I knitted a heart for my DH for valentines day. Learnt a few stitches such as chinese wave, tried my first lace etc. All of the above were short knits, with no real purpose, just practicing. It got me into following a pattern though, and working out my method for keeping count!
I ordered cheap circular needles, DPNs and crochet hooks from ebay, and got practicing again. I have just knitted a chunky cowl in the round, and am now attempting my first thing in the round on DPN. I thought I was doing brilliantly until I realised I was knitting it inside out but youtube quickly set me straight.
-I've practiced cables and have a cable cushion on my ravelry project list. Again I just cabled a swatch with no real purpose.

So a long winded way of saying, I am just practicing practicing practicing, but the woolly hugs website is actually a great starting point. Between that, you-tube, and simple trial and error, I'm actually quite amazed by how much I have learned so far. I'm focussing my attentions on things that gauge and sizing don't matter so much for, and haven't worried about tension as yet. It'll come. I'm also finding if I'm not in the middle of a project then mistakes don't matter so much, so you get much braver about attempting things.

Wow that is long. Who knew I was so passionate about knitting already? Have fun :)

Thanks for all the messages.
Any patterns will be welcomed thank you.
I like that tank top, again it just looks impossible to me.
I'd love to contribute squares to wooly hugs but am scared they will think its crap.
I hope tension will come to me and knitting in the round, I'm watching videos and trying bits out. Anything I do goes towards the blanket, I'm dreading sewing it together, it'll be a gift so has to look good.
I think I'll keep practicing for now on scarves and blankets.

Thanks

Zigzag- I know how you feel and sometimes I wonder if every other knitter in the world has secret knowledge born from hours of experience or someone to show them techniques.

I found the book "Stitch 'n bitch" by Debbie Stoller very useful. It has good illustrations but is also good for anticipating what could and does go wrong and how to do it properly.

I have just started knitting in the round on 4 dpns and it was difficult. I don't know if it was correct or not but I joined the circle by knitting the first and last stitch together, pulling them tight then creating a stitch.

Is there a knit and natter group in your area? They can be a great source of info and people there to talk you through new stitches. (I used to keep a notebook close to write down if I was on a purl row or how many stitches I was supposed to have).

I just got a notebook for that reason as I lose my place.
No knit clubs locally I have looked.
I have a book but can't make out illustrations, I prefer real photos.

Up thread; I don't have a link to the pattern it's on a book. I don't think I can post a photo from my iPod.

Zigzag - Apologies if you know this already but with your tension are you trying to match the pattern tension by just attempting to knit looser or tighter? Because that will never work - everyone has a natural tension that they will revert to. So to match the tension measurements on a pattern you need to change needle size.

Also its quite common to knit looser on some stitches than others - I think people often purl more loosely, in which case knitting in the round may help as you are only doing knit stitches. (or you can use go different sized needles on stocking stitch, but I know I would get confused with that!)

Oh! And what's blocking?

If you are North Northants or the bit of Leicestershire around Market Harborough then I can help with a practical demonstration.

Two different sized needles

Blocking is when you have your finished piece of knitting then you dampen it with water and make it into the shape you want eg you can knit a plain square , spray it with a plant sprayer, pin it onto a piece of polystyrene with dressmaking pins then let it dry and it goes into a square shape.

seriously though OP. I think you are trying to run before you can walk ( I do that all the time!) Don't even think about round knitting etc yet. Try a simple sweater when you are ready. Something without patterns or fussy shaping. A drop sleeve pattern is good for example. And don't worry about blocking t the moment. I knitted clothes for years without ever blocking and although they may have looked better blocked they still looked fine enough.
As for tension. I always knit slightly loose, so I know now that I need to go down a half size in needles to get the correct tension. My mum is always a tight knitter so needs to go up a half size.
Ravelry ( lovely as it is) is an American site and they really like round knitting there. Stick to English patterns for now.

Actually I have RSI in my right elbow and shoulder from knitting and sewing far too much

Star cross posted sorry.
I find 5mm + easier, I shall keep that I mind.

I'm in north Notts. I am from Northants though .

I didn't know Ravelry was American!

Yes I think I'll slow down a bit. I'm just excited that I've learned to knit and love it, I look at patterns and wish too much

Actually, I disagree with slowing down! I say, jump in and have a go at something that you really want to knit. What's the worst that can happen? You'll just have to rip it out and try again but I guarantee you'll have learnt something by doing it.

Keep practising, your tension will naturally improve the more you knit.

Knitting in the round is the biggest cheat ever, it's ridiculously easy! As others have said, you're only ever knitting with two needles at a time.

Have a go at that tank top. It looks like you'll only be able to cast on, knit, purl, increase and decrease and possibly pick up stiches. If you get stuck at any point, have a look at youtube, or ask here.

I would say have a go too.
Another thing is to not worry too much about trading and understanding the pattern before you start. I am an experienced knitter and sometimes when I head a larger through I think wtf!! I just can't understand it - but when I sit down with yarn and needles it is much easier! As others have said, there are lots of tutorials online.

About reading

I can't type today!

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When I read a pattern