Good book to teach me how to knit?

[MrsHoratioNelson]

I recently learned to crochet and used lots of YouTube videos to start with but I found a book helpful to refer to for a quick reminder of stitches. Can anyone recommend a good book for an absolute beginner? Aldi recently had the DK one and I might still be able to get that. Is it any good? Also should I get some sort of starter pack of needles like I did for crochet hooks?

Ta

I bought my daughter Knitty Gritty which is written for complete beginners.

She found it very useful with clear instructions.

The Stitch'n'Bitch books are good - there are two the first for beginners and the second for the more intermediate. They are light-hearted and funny and include some projects to try.

The Knitty Gritty book is £4.99 in the latest Book People catalogue - use code 285DEL for free delivery too.

Thirding Knitty Gritty!

If you want to learn lots of different stitches and patterns, I recommend The Harmony Book of Knitting Stitches - it has so many different stitches for texture, lace patterns, cabling etc - I have had one since I was in sixth form, and it has been absolutely invaluable.

When I say 'lots of different stitches' - I don't mean there are hundreds more stitches to learn after knit and purl, I mean ways to combine those with slip stitches, and other techniques to make different patterns and effects, and I think this book explains how to do this clearly and well.

Do you have a local knitting group? I go to a regular one, and we are always happy to have someone new come along, and there's always someone willing to help you learn - we were all there once. You could check your local yarn shops - they might host a regular group. Rest assured - if my experience is anything to go by, you don't need to know how to knit - the only truly essential skills are chatting, drinking coffee or tea (or other beverages) and eating cake!!

Thanks - the Knitty Gritty one is also recommended on Amazon so I'll try that. There are definitely local knitting groups around but I'm not sure how compatible they are with a newborn...

Come to my group - I will happily cuddle the baby whilst you drink coffee, eat cake and knit - because I am such a nice person not because I want a loooong cuddle with a squidgy newborn, ohhhh no!

Thanks STDG - he's quite snuggly but a bit of a string bean. 16 days old I must be mad to consider taking up knitting

Ooh I have a newborn too and am interested in knitting! Have received fine beautiful knitted things from my mum's friends and would love to have such a great skill.

Is it hard?

I'm a beginner but getting the hang of it. You tube is really good. I have also just bought Knitty Gritty for £4.99 from The Bool People

I also find dd's Usborne book for children really basic and helpful too.

Book not bool (getting book and wool mixed up there I think

I don't think knitting is hard, BabyMakesFour. At bottom, it is just two different stitches - knit (which you will learn first), and then purl - and then you can gradually learn to do so much with just those stitches. I really do recommend looking at the YouTube tutorials - I taught myself to crochet using one - and I think it is so much easier to watch someone actually do it, than to read and look at a diagram.

Start off with some fairly chunky wool, and biggish needles - about 5 or 5.5mm - and just knit a scarf, or a chunky cushion cover in knit. If you go into your local yarn shop, or the haberdashery section at John Lewis, and ask for advice, you will get plenty of help - and they will probably help you cast on and get started too.

The thing I have found about crafters is that they are almost all incredibly generous about passing on their skills - I know there is no better feeling than helping someone get started, and seeing their pride and pleasure when they produce something they have made.

I am in Renfrewshire - if, by strange chance, you are near me, I will happily teach you to knit.

I have found with crochet that the hard bit is getting the tension right and even and the counting . I did a tiny bit of knitting as a child and found the same thing. Hopefully the crochet experience of dealing with the tension will come in handy for knitting...

I'm in South Essex if any newbies want some help. I'm not brilliant myself but I know casting on and off and basic stitches to get started.

I found tension to be a big issue when crocheting too, MrsHoratioNelson - I posted a picture of a granny square I had crocheted here, in the Arts and Crafts section, and was told I was a loose hooker!!

I have now switched to a much smaller hook, and that has made a big difference.

at loose hooker!

Now you see, I wish I was a loose hooker . I verge on the tight

Me too rogue, me too.

Fnar.

www.knittinghelp.com You are welcome.

Go up a hook size, perhaps, RoguePixie?

Oh, Wolef, that's almost the same as telling a woman to go up a dress size . Seriously though, I'll give that a go - it's the chain stitch that gives me trouble - it gets really tight then I have problems with the foundation row!!

I had a similar problem with knitting, when I were a lass, pixie - I used to have to go up a needle size and an actual garment size when I was knitting something, so that it would fit. That has improved, with age and maturity (I have plenty of the former, and some of the latter).

Hi MrsH
For first time knitting wool check out local charity shop as they generally have a stash if all knitting accessories and quite often a friendly "granny type" that can advise you. Are you mad taking up knitting with a 16 day old? Def not, no better time. They sleep loads as a baby so best learn now. As mum to a 30 day old knitting helps me chill at end of the day.

Also check ravelry website for easy knitting & craft projects x

Hope that makes sense, typed one handed while feeding