How do I learn to Knit and what should I buy as a basic kit?

[ellenrose]

I have wanted to learn for ages, my Nan used to knit all of the time and used to cast on for me but we are talking many, many years ago. Would like to learn to start from scratch but wanted some advice on what needles to buy, any recommendations on good starter projects (scarf?) and are there sites to help me learn the basics? All help gratefully received

Oh, we've had a bunch of threads on this. I like the Stitch and Bitch book. Or this site. (Includes good videos for Continental/German style knitting, which I recommend.) I wouldn't buy a kit.

Double knitting weight yarn is a good place to start, with 4mm needles. I think wool is nice, but others may prefer cotton.

Oh, and please join us on the knitters thread, it's nice and cozy, even if some Evil Crochet Type People drop in sometimes.

Brilliant - thanks so much. Have just found the book on Amazon and the site looks great - off to get my needles

i'd pop off to a local shop, buy some cheapo wool that i liked, buy the size needles that the wool's band says is appropriate, and use nqc's site for teaching how to knit. try not to get a wool that's too fine, double knitting or aran is good. i'd just mess around not knitting anything in particular, but swatches of different types of stitch, and then when confident and the knitting is fairly even i'd do a little project. choose amongst the basic patterns on this site. they're ordered by magnitude of difficulty.

all you need for knitting is the wool, the appropriate needles, your pattern and a tapestry needle for sewing up (it's just a thick needle with a big eye and a blunt point).