knitting novice here

[janx]

Hi
Hve just knitted my first hat for my 4 month old and feeling very proud. Would like to take on something more ambitious - do you think a tank top would be doable? If so do you know where I could get a pattern?

Well done you! Am a beginner knitter too so know the great pride that comes from knitting a hat. Did you mean a tank top for you or baby? Found this one on a quick google search. There's loads of free patterns on t'internet if you have a quick hunt.

Thanks intravenouscoffee - I didn't realize you could get free ones! I am looking for one for my babe - don't think I will do anything as big as me for a bit! What are you knitting?

I'm finishing off a jacket for DD which has taken me so long that it'll probably only fit for about a week! Also, just bought wool to start knitting a simple blanket for a friend's baby here
I found quite a few simple patterns just by googling 'beginner baby knitting patterns'. You have to do a bit of hunting but there's some good stuff out there. Have a friend who's a very keen knitter and says she has never paid for a pattern in the three years she's been knitting. Best of luck!

My previous project was a cardy for my daughter - way too ambitious and it looks pretty ropey - it was a learning curve and my mum had to help me out- thought I would go right back to something very simple. Am trying to find a class or circle to join. The blanket looks gorgeous. Thanks for the help

I've been teaching myself to knit over the last few months, too. used the Debbie Bliss book baby knits for beginners which has been great, but not free! tank top should definately be doable, unlike the blanket I'm trying to do at the moment, think I may be over stretching myself!

You need to join ravelry - great knitting community and access to thousands of free patterns, it is brilliant!

Also, try drops designs, they do loads of free patterns online.

yes, join ravelry!

i've just knitted a baby tank top and used a sirdar pattern, cost £2ish from local wool shop. didn't use sirdar yarn though, i hate it.

debbie bliss book mentioned below is great, but you don't have to use debbie bliss yarn - ask on here or check out ravelry for good (and cheaper) substitutionds

where are you janx? there are lots of knitting groups in London (where I am) would be happy to direct you if you are down here...

Yes I am in London - North London - Stoke Newington
Thanks for the link Miaou.
Have got the Debbie Bliss book - that is where I got the hat pattern from for the little hat

hmm, I am south of the river so don't know about up near you- you could ask at Loop in Islington I guess. I am trying to organise another MN meetup at the iKnit shop some wednesday evening if you could make that...iKnit is near Waterloo...

it's the cutest little hat!

I think the next thing I tried after that was the boat neck sweater, but it's not v exciting. If it's for your daughter, the moss stitch cardigan in that book is quite easy once you get started on it and very pretty.

Go to the local library, ours has loads of Debbie Bliss baby pattern books and they'll order them in for you if you ask. Ours do and come to iknit, am hoping to go.

Waterloo will be good when I go back to work - but that isn't until later on in the year - will ask at Loop - they seem very serious there though!
Our library seems a bit pants on the knitting front ranting - will ask to order
Tried to join raverlry - not sure I did it right as it said they will contact me when they are ready to accept me?

Laura T - how long did it take you to do the sweater?

the boat neck one didn't take too long, maybe about a week? tend to knit while watching TV so probably about a couple of hours max a day? depends what size you do! I did the raglan sweater too, took a lot longer, but ridiculously proud of myself at the end!

the sweater with the diamond pattern (in the D Bliss book) is surprisingly easy and knits up very nicely in cotton for the summer.

Janx - it takes a few days to get onto Ravelry - you can check your position in the queue by clicking the link on the page where you signed up.

Here's some suggestions for tank tops.

a bit old fashioned but could be made funky

an easy knit

this is a cardigan, but very simple

this is quite cute as well

Also try www.knittingpatterncentral.com, they have a free pattern directory. And Ravelry and www.knitty.com are AMAZING!
cute pattern from knitty
and another...

And if you can't find yourself Janx, try and sign up with a different e.mail address, it took me two attempts to get on and about ten days from when my application 'took'