Tips for taking up knitting

[TheKatzKlaws]

I don't have a huge amount of spare time (a 1 year old...), but I would like to take up a hobby that is relaxing and creative for when I do have a few minutes. I remember my nan and mum knitting a lot when I was young and they did show me how but it was far too long ago to remember!

Are there any knitters here that could give some tips on where to start? What needles and materials are good to start with? I have a wool shop in my local market so will pop in there to have a look around and ask but would love to have a rough idea of what I'm looking for.

Thanks all!

Thanks for that. I just checked out a video on doing 3 icord stitches at each end, but one of the comments said that theirs curls up!

Having poked around a bit more, I've found that the scarves I admired are actually made in k1p1 rib!

I too would suggest trying to learn continental as it is much quicker.

I think it’s not a bad idea to try both continental and English and see what feels right. I knit English style because that’s what my mum taught me. I have no desire to knit any faster. I just enjoy the process. In saying that, the fastest knitter in the world uses the English style as far as I know😊

I'd also suggest picking up a 3mm crochet hook whilst you're out and about for fixing dropped stitches. You can find lots of tutorials for this on YouTube and when you know you can pick up a dropped stitch you'll relax and enjoy the knitting process so much more. Good luck! 👍🏻

The best teachers on Youtube IMO are

"Very Pink Knits" for Knitting and "Bella Coco" for Crochet.

Personally I think a total beginner would be better to start with crochet as it's much quicker and you don't have to worry about dropping stitches (fixing knitting is a bit more complicated until you get a bit more experienced).

I would suggest going to your local yarnshop and pick up some DK weight yarn and a pair of 4mm and 4.5mm needles. (Beginner knitters tend to have quite tight tension so having 2 needle sizes will be a good place to start). Generally older people taught to knit years ago started on long knitting needles, the ones you picture your Granny using, however nowadays most people use what are called fixed circular needles so you're probably best to get them as learning how to hold them will be better in the long run.

Couple of tips - don't go mad and buy all the things in e g Homebargains or Amazon. Cheap tools are generally very poor quality. Stick to decent brands like Knitpro and Clover. And - be patient, it takes a while to get the muscle memory. You can probably get all you need to start for less than £15

For inspiration, I would also recommend watching "The Bakery Bears" podcast/vlog on YouTube.

Stocking stitch scarf - knit it in the round in the same way you would knit a sock. No curling and no purling😀.

If you do think you might like to explore crochet too, Lucy at Attic 24 has lovely free blanket patterns which are beginner-friendly.

I did actually. I saw a lady on the tube doing crochet and it looked really relaxing. My commutebis only 45 mins but would be a great alternative to doom scrolling if I get a seat!

@longtompot ah that is lovely! Bookmarked! Thanks x

This hat is so cute! I can't wait to start trying baby stuff.

Thank you that's great advice. I cam definitely remember mum and nan using the long needles!

I spoke to her last night amd she still has all her equipment so going to see what she has. She wants to get back into it so she's going to give me some lessons! 😊

Crochet is really portable so great for travelling. I can’t knit but it always seems like there is less counting in crochet as you often work in blocks of 3 (obviously depending on what you make). I’d recommend the Knitting Network for supplies, they have a great choice of yarns and really good offers.

I think crochet is more trendy these days, but knitting is making a bit of a comeback. I, for one, am delighted as it’s definitely a dying art. I taught my son to knit, at his request, when he was about 8. He didn’t stick with it but, at 17, has recently asked me to show him again! I only learned to crochet in my late forties after loads of false starts and it took over as my new obsession! Poor old knitting was neglected, but I always go back to it. It is, as mentioned up thread, harder to correct mistakes, particularly with stranded knitting and lace work, but I love the soft flexibility of knitted materials compared with crochet. Even though I have knitted my whole life and produced masses of Arans, fair isle style jumpers, lace blankets, hats, coats, dresses (you name it!) I have never managed to finish a pair of socks. Also, I HATE circular needles. I’m happy to channel ‘granny knitting’ with my long needles😆

This is such a lovely post, I want to knit now! I could when I was a child and enjoyed it so maybe I should try again.

Can I ask advice on this? I incorporated a new ball of wool by knitting it in alongside the new wool and now I have two strands like this poking out of my scarf. Anyone know how I can someone stitch these in / get rid of them? Thanks

Leave slightly longer ends next time - you need to use a needle and sew them over and under through the stitches. You can also split the tails and sew the two half separately to secure them. There's lots of YouTube videos to show you - this one has the basic technique 7

Forgot to mention your knitting looks lovely ❤️

Yep. For flat stocking stitch use a lighter weight yarn, knit a tube (bonus: no purling) and seam up the ends. Identical on both sides and ideal for colourwork; you don’t even need to weave in all the ends since they’re hidden in the tube. The garter stitch border works but needs to be on all 4 sides. If it’s still curling it’s not wide enough.

I can knit both English and continental. Go with whichever is faster for you. People can find continental purl tricky and I wouldn’t want someone put off by that.

My tension is better in English so the slight speed loss is worth it. I mainly do continental for ribbing (I Norwegian purl so never move the yarn from front to back) and when knitting two colours at once.

Buy basic straight needles to start but once you get comfortable you’ll want circulars so you can knit in the round. Try different sorts of you can before investing in a set.

Hey...based on this thread I popped into a local wool and craft shop. I'm now signed up for a crochet learners day!

Oooh, welcome to your new addiction😆

Thank you
It was as if it was meant to be! It was in a town i rarely go to, although not far from home!

I absolutely love my scarf so far!! It’s my first time knitting a scarf (only tried to knit once about 10 years ago and didn’t go back to it). I messed up adding the second ball of wool in as my rows went from 20 stitches to 21 somehow 😳 and also have little ends hanging out which look too small to thread in now. Going to really look at how to add the third ball of wool tomo, thanks @MotorbikeStuntRider for the video, I’ll try this tomo.

Here’s my scarf so far though!

I am obsessed with knitting. I have two little ones so it’s really hard to find time to do it, but in the evenings if everyone is in bed and we are watching TV, I love having something to do with my hands. As a mum my brain is constantly on overload all the time, but when I’m knitting it just sort of quietens down. I also love the tactility of knitting; creating lovely cosy garments from beautiful yarns.
Insta is quite good for little reels people have made to show certain techniques.

thank you that great I’m off to have a look 😀