Knitting from scratch ... where to start?

[shitehawk]

OK, so I know the obvious answer is "at the beginning" ...

Can anyone recommend any good books or websites with nice, clear instructions for learning to knit? Or any kits/patterns which are good for absolute, total beginners? I have never even picked up a set of knitting needles before and have a real urge to start, but the patterns just look so complicated!

How about looking at this

Start with a scarf. Leave complicated patterns and shaping for the time being.

Also, do you know anyone who knits. It's a lot easier if someone can show you rather than following a picture. Especially if you go wrong - they can show you how to get out of it!

My mum taught me.

No, I don't know anyone who knits. My mum used to, but she doesn't live near to us so would have to do it remotely, which wouldn't really work!

Thanks for the link though; will have a little look.

are their any good tutorial videos on youtube? before the days of youtube I could nit basic stuff but wanted to progress so i just looked around for some books. i found some really good old ones that showed step by step different stitches at a car boot sale.

You could also buy a magazine like Simply knitting which always has very simple instructions in it. Also join Ravelry and join a local group. Or try at your nearest church, or charity shop. Where in the world are you?

Lots of people have started with the Stitch n Bitch books, although I've never used them myself. Are you near a John Lewis? There used to be classes at the Glasgow store.

Ooh G&B - that site is just what I've been looking for! My Nanny recently bought DD1 a knitting set, which is a bit advanced for her yet (she's 6 in Jan) but I have been really enjoying reminding myself how to knit. So far I've just been playing around, and have made a little dolls blanket, but I'd love to move on to more complicated stuff.

The site is fab, girlandboy - had chance to have a look today and it looks good. Thank you.

I looked for some magazines but could only find one called Let's Knit, which seems pretty advanced. Has some nice free knitting needles on the cover though! Will have a look for Simply Knitting.

Not terribly close to a John Lewis, Ceolas; am in the West Midlands but can't get easily to the one in Solihul. Stitch 'n Bitch sounds rather up my street

Maybe a children's knitting kit is what I really need, Bramshott!!

Thank you all

You're welcome. Happy knitting!!!

i recently started with stich and bitch. it's very good. cant really go wrong with it.

i've got a couple other books. but i always end up in knots trying to fathem out their instructions,. keep returning to stich and bitch.

Have managed to get to grips with casting on and the knit stitch ... it's not pretty knitting yet, but it's knitting all the same!

Some of the diagrams in these magazines confuse me a bit, so I might get hold of Stitch and Bitch before I go much further. Am having a go at purl tonight but I keep getting myself all mixed up with it.

I need Knitting for Dummies, I think

Maybe carry on a bit longer until you really get the hang of the knit stitch. Make you you count your stitches at the end of each row, it's awfully easy to get more or less on the needle and that makes for 'unpretty' knitting. Once you get handy with your knit stitches, purl won't seem so daunting.
Best of luck

This woman taught me to knit the basics.

I taught myself to knit using stitch and bitch - I really recommend it. Agree with DutchOma that you shouldn't purl until you've got the hang of knitting.