I would like to knit a blanket

[LittleNoona]

As the title says really

I'd like to knit a blanket - maybe knit lots of squares and see them together to make one big blanket - but I'm rubbish at knitting!

I can cast on, do the most basic stitch and kind of cast off, but even that can go wrong somewhere along the way.

Has anyone got any tips? I'm not sure what type if yarn, what size needles, how big to make the squares, can't follow a pattern......I'm doomed to failure aren't I?

Any tips at all would be much appreciated!

I would say to buy a copy of this book Knitty Gritty. It's really clear and very basic. I hadn't ever knitted anything until I got this book and I am now about 3/4 of the way through a cardigan! In fact I'm just about to order the next book with some slightly more advanced stuff in it.

Usually the wool has a label on with the recommended needle size. I would try using either DK (double knit) yarn or a 'chunky' weight one, anything finer is fiddly and takes ages. I am currently using a chunky yarn with 6mm knitting needles and it is quite quick to make progress with this size of yarn and needle and it's easy to see mistakes etc.

I think you can find free patterns on a site called Ravelry, but I haven't been on there myself.

Get yourself over to Ravelry, sign up (it's free) and look at the hundreds of blanket/afghan patterns there.

I second the advice to use thickish yarn, I'm planning a chunky blanket as soon as I finish all my other projects.

I'd probably do 6"x6" squares, that way they aren't enormous but you don't need to make a ridiculous number to make a decent sized blanket.

Good luck! And if you get stuck youtube usually has the answers, I taught myself to knit using youtube videos mostly.

Ravelry is a good start. I agree with the 6 x 6 inch squares. Means you could try new stitches out but arent stuck doing one long of you get fed up.

I recommend Stylecraft Special DK. Its 100% acrylic so easy to care for, and its not expensive for a first project. Lots of fab colours.

You would use 4mm needles for it usually.

Patchwork is a great way to build your skills. I recommend either double knit or arran yarn (4 or 5 mm needles) - and second the Stylecraft, it's cheap with loads of colours.

If you want to learn new stitches I'd do a few squares of garter and stocking stitch to figure out your tension, then other knit and purl based stitches like moss (also called seed), double moss, basket weave and diamonds, which will get you used to reading patterns and more familiar with how the knitting takes shape (and you'll learn how to recognise and fix mistakes). When you're more confident you can try slip stitches, bobbles, eyelets and cabling, whatever catches your eye. And when you're finished you can learn about the different joining techniques :)

And if you get stuck you can ask MN, so you won't swear a lot and give up three quarters of the way through like I did.

Thanks for the advice - I'm off to hobby craft now for some 6mm needles and some chunky yarn.

Have signed up to ravelry and will get going with some 6x6 squares!

Ooh hobby craft always seem to have 3 for the price of 2 on yarn.

Ah, Littlenoona - i've just started making a blanket as well I am crap at knitting. What have you knitted before?

Elephants - I've knitted a teddy before, but that was years ago with lots of help!

I got some lovely soft wool the other day - quite thick - and I was advised by the lady in the shop to get size 9 needles. So I've made a start at least.

Also got a lovely knitting bag and a crochet book - again, did a little crochet, very basic - years ago but want to make something that will be used and do it myself from beginning to end.

What kind of blanket are you doing and how are you getting on?