I saw an ad today for a local Knitting Circle and...

[Tatties]

...well I couldn't possibly go (you know, ds still needs me in the evenings), but I would love to learn to knit. Any recommendations for a bible on how to get started from scratch?

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Great, thanks Pruni, I'll look out for Stitch'n'Bitch, like the sound of it

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There's a new magazine out - one of those collectible series which end up being horribly expensive - but this week (month?) it's v cheap, has two balls of wool, a DVD and the magazine included. Only 99p or £1.99 I think. Sorry for lousy info but DD pointed it out whilst we were queuing in WHS today and I dismissed it as unnecessary for us!

I learned from Stitch'n'Bitch - I knew how, a little bit, before, but had mostly forgotten.

Alternatively this is a good website, with lots of knitting videos.

A friend got that knitting "partwork" thingy with the DVD - not v g. - cheapo wool has a tendency to split and woman on the DVD stupendously smug.
Apparently (and I know nothing about this so sorry if I'm wrong) the needles are a steal with the £1.99 pricetag though.

A friend got that knitting "partwork" thingy with the DVD - not v g. - cheapo wool has a tendency to split and woman on the DVD stupendously smug.
Apparently (and I know nothing about this so sorry if I'm wrong) the needles are a steal with the £1.99 pricetag though.

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I've just taught myself from a book (my grandmother taught me to knit 20 odd years ago but I'd never cast on or off before, and had completely forgotten the stitches). I found the Laughing Hens website to be really good. I bought their learn to knit book, and also a knitting and crochet book from WH Smith (had some vouchers- and the knit and stitch book although I found that harder to follow). Anyway, have made ds2 a hat, and am now making ds3 a jumper. I made the hat using Big Wool and big needles (15mm) and it was really quick. Love it. Alos find I drink less when I'm knitting which is good!

If you search for Lion Brand on google you'll find lots of free patterns.

ok I haven't knitted for ages but did make some quite nice things and quite a few never to be finished ones

but i never mastered the knitting without looking how do you do that?

my grandma was a brilliant clacky not looking knitter and i just know i could never do that

aplogoies for hijack

and the bliss books have nice patterns i bought oe last year but never used it are they any good?

Knitting without looking is just a matter of practice. As you get better, you can do it all (or most of it, anyway) without looking. I don't need to look at basic knitting, but if I'm doing something complicated, I still have to look.

i think a knitting circle would be fun if the people were nice and knitters usually are aren't they?

My MIL can knit w/o looking. And she can tell when she's duffed it up.

She said it's like when you're touch typing and you can just feel an erroneous keystroke.

my mom can knit without looking and always has done but now that shes lost her sight it doesn't really make any difference anyway!

and shes still a far better knitter than me without her sight!

I only look at my knitting if I'm doing cables or something, but it is just something that comes with time really. I agree about SnB being a good book to start with, and those Knitting at Knoon videos are fantastically good, I think.

Jimjams, I'm impressed

Zippi, you're right, knitters are all lovely. Well, not necessarily, but it's nice to think so!

Oh excellent! Loads of great ideas.

Well I did learn to knit as a child but I doubt I can remember anything useful...

Pruni no I am not Scottish but dp is and we used to live in Edinburgh. Does that count? Live nowhere near now though, I do miss it sometimes

Well Tatties, if you ever come back to visit you can join Pruni's and my very select knitting group

Ohh, can I join????

I can knit. I was a real Kaif Fasset (sp?) addict in my late teens.

Oh yes please, we'd love you to join You can stand me up again

slip you and drop one, I think you mean! :D

I havenm't done any knitting since the kids were babies.

I really hesitate to suggest this as it sounds so trivial compared to what you're facing, but I do find knitting is quite soothing when you're stressed. I'd be more than happy to get you some stuff to inspire you if you like

I am currently 'hooking' a rug with dd....one of her xmas gifts and it is very soothing. Once that is finished I am part way through cross rtitching a rug, which will also be 'helpful'.

Keeping busy is the key, I've taken on some authoring work for the specialist schools trust, and am lining up a Masters in Education (with a possible view to a doctorate).

In the end I will want lots to do n the evenings when the kids go to bed so I don't get morose.

Oh and I've been asked to audition for a local choir.

Blimey, well done. I'm seriously impressed, but trying not to fawn, you know. My mum did an MEd, and then a PhD, but she changed fields for the PhD. She got a lot out of the MEd though, I know.

well, it is all in the pipeline.

I've started the authoring stuff. I have to 'present' at Warwick Uni in March, but I have done the work.

Helps to keep my mind occupied.

The MEd wouldn't start until Oct, and I'd do it part time with the OU. The school will fund me, i think.

If I do go for the Phd, I might link up with my old dphil supervisor, as I'm working with her atm in trying to set up an online test to identify (dare I say it) G and T students. It could develop into a nice little research project.

Tatties - I've just taught myself casting on, plain and purl from the internet [proud emoticom] And casting off!

I am making a scarf out of theta furry/fluffy stuff but sadly, although I started with 32 stitches, I know have 60 !!