First project ideas for a new knitter

[MmeLindt]

I have recently taken up knitting. I can knit and purl, increase and decrease. That is it.

Does anyone have an idea for something easy that looks good to encourage me to stick with it. I did scarves for the DC last year but they were a bit blah.

haven't really ever progressed beyond the new knitter stage despite being a bit fanatical about it and I enjoy making iPod cosies and slippers and bags and anything involving iCords because I feel so grown up using double pointed needles - my ultimate goal is to knit a hat one day

those novelty type yarns (such as crystal palace fuzzy ones) can make simple projects more interesting, also you could cast on to large circular needles about 8 million stitches and just plain knit a few rows for a long skinny scarf - easy but looks (to a complete non-knitter) quite impressive

some lovely patterns

I find small toys best as they don't take long to do and they looks so cute.
Google amigurumi to see what I mean, it is mostl crochet but some knitted toys too.
Lots of pattern links here

Slippers sound good, have noticed today that mine have little holes in them. Am quite cross with Jonnie, they are not that old.

Thanks for the links. Will have a look. iPod/Toys sound good.

Oh yes, ipod cosies, phone holders, little bags are just rectangles sewn up, nice and easy, but they make great presents!

I got a great pattern of ebay for easter chicks in eyelash wool. Simple to knit and looks great. The seller sells them in sets, so you get all you need, including wool. Search on ebay for easter chick pattern and if seller has any left it should come up. Very reasonable too.

If you have anyone due a baby there is a lovely bootee pattern on ravelry with crossover straps, just type 'saartje' into the search pattern box. It was the second thing I ever knitted, lots of swearing and unravelling but it was a nice challenge.

I am currently knitting stripy diamonds for a blanket- 'pathways blanket' on ravelry. Simple increases and decreases but you put them together to make geometric designs. I can do two or three a night in front of the TV so it will only take me a month or so to make a complete blanket.

I made this hat for DS (two evenings) www.margarethubertoriginals.com/CHILDBLUE.html

and this for a friend's DD:
www.knit-a-square.com/easy-knitting-pattern.html

I only started knitting at the beginning of January but have found lots of lovely patterns, just need the time to knit now!