Beginners knitting kit

[Gintime74]

DD wants to knit herself a jumper, where can I find a basic kit. Or what should I look for to buy separately. Size needles? Type of wool and pattern?
sorry probably a daft question but have no idea about knitting.

Wool and the Gang have loads of beginners kits. They are £££ though.

Has she knitted before?

I've used we are knitters before. Lots to choose from.

Firstly has she ever knitted before? If not a jumper is a very ambitious first project. I would go to an independent craft shop and ask their advice.

Thank you, she has made a scarf and a beanie hat before.

For a first jumper I'd be looking at cheaper yarn and needles with a pattern rather than a fancy kit.

Where are you in the country? Black Sheep Wools in Warrington would offer you advice for a project like that.

Alternatively she could look on Ravelry for a project and you could order the yarn/needles online?

Thank you, I’m in Kent. Yes the jumper kits look quite expensive considering she may never manage to knit the jumper!

Would definitely seek out a local wool shop - they’re brilliant for advice and guidance on kits and wool. The packs are ridiculously expensive.

How old is DD?

I'd avoid the kits, they're expensive and unnecessary & no more helpful than a pattern, yarn & some needles!!

you don't knit, does anyone in the family/friends/neighbour? If not, youtube, is your friend but having someone who can pick up dropped stitches and put you on the right path is invaluable really.

id go with something very basic so there aren't a million tricky pieces to sew together.

Stylecraft DK is a good machine washable acrylic yarn. Woolwarehouse is good to order from. Ravalry is good for patterns, loads free & loads more in paid for.

best of luck.

Hobby craft have some nice chunky, beginner level patterns where you're basically knitting 4 rectangles and sewing them together. The pattern tells you which needles and which wool. They also often do a 4 for 2 on wool so it should come in at around £25 - £30 for the wool.

A great first pattern for a jumper is Flax from TinCanKnits. It's free, designed for beginners and TCK do a tutorial for it as well. The pattern tells you how much yarn you need and what size needles to get, although in rather arcane knitter-speak I have to say! Let us know if she likes that pattern and we can decipher the needle instructions.

She could go for a basic aran weight yarn for this like Stylecraft Special Aran - this is cheap and cheerful and Flax in, say, the XS size (not sure of DD's age) would need 4 balls.

Get a knitting pattern that is straightforward, uses regular fairly inexpensive chunky wool (i.e not pure wool). Buy the wool and bamboo knitting needles.
I remember doing a raglan one, and it was very quick.

Something like this:
www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/round-neck-and-v-neck-sweaters-in-sirdar-click-chunky-8940-downloadable-pdf
or search for simple beginner knitting pattern for jumper (or whatever)
I'd buy a printed pattern not a dowloadable , wool-acrylic mix chunky yarn (not pure wool because moths and potential shrinking) in a colour she likes.
The pattern will recommend the yarn, but if you go to a knitting shop they'll probably recommend other yarns you could use.

Drop shoulders are easier for complete beginners.

Thank you everyone, these tips are so helpful. I’m going to go and have a proper look now.