Absolute beginner knitting

[LondonerRandomName]

I'm looking at taking up knitting (starting with scarves) - so many books and sites but can anyone recommend a particular book or site that is a good place to start for an absolutely clueless person.

Thank you so much!

Lovecrafts have tutorials for complete beginners on their site, as well as lots of free patterns:
www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/c/article/how-to-knit-step-by-step

Classes can also be a good way to get a hand if you’re having any problems. If you don’t mind saying roughly where you are (London?) we might be able to suggest some options?

Once you have the basics down then www.ravelry.com/ is a vast repository of all things knitting and crochet - you can use it to find patterns and yarn from all over the world as well as for tracking your own projects and sharing experience and tips with other knitters.

Youtube. Far, far better than any book. Knitting along with a video is far easier than trying to follow steps in a book.

Yy to YouTube. Just browse some absolute beginner knitting videos and pick a presenter with good clear camera view whose voice doesn't annoy you too much.

I found a series of YouTube videos by 'Video jug' really good.

I like these tutorials.

Thank you so much! Lovecraft seems great - the link to the video is actually a great starting point. I will create and account with Ravelry too.

I really can't fit it classes 😔 work and kids esp one with SEN do not allow free time to venture out- I get a little free time at home when kids are busy with their thing so am hoping that I can fit this then and after they sleep.

Really sorry but what size needles do you think the woman in the video is using? She doesn't mention it - 8 maybe?

Oh thank you for rest of recommendations! I'm so excited!

And rightly so - knitting is awesome! Once you've got started, you could look for a local knit and natter group, if that appeals to you.

She's using a Super Chunky yarn so I would assume something like a 10mm needle. I would probably scale back from there and go for something like an Aran, just so you don't invest in a needle size that you won't want to keep using. Maybe with a 5mm needle.

I wouldn't aim for a scarf, esp at this time of year. It will take ages to get finished and then it'll be summer (we can hope!). I'd go for some simple dish cloths - that way they are instantly useful (and if your first attempts aren't that great, it doesn't really matter).

You can use a cotton yarn for this, it's not as soft to knit with but a worthwhile trade-off.

Alternatively, please do contribute to one of the Woolly Hugs projects. You can do a 6" square and it will definitely be useful.