Have just googled " learning to knit" and it all looks so complicated but I really want to learn.

[Narketta]

So is there a Book/website that anyone could recommend to a complete beginner?

And when I say beginner I mean it. (Have never even tried to cast on)

Is it as hard as it looks?

It is dead easy and lots of fun !

I learnt from my mum, but if you haven't got anyone who can teach you in RL do you have any local wool/knitting shops? Are local shop is fab and women are so friendly, and help me out with all my knitting queries. I'm sure they'd show you how to cast on and knit and purl. They could also point you in the direction of simple patterns to start with.

You know, John Lewis runs knitting lessons (and I think they are free). I bet if you have a local yarn shop they would show you the basics too.

Do you have anything in mind to start with? Clothes, toys, etc?

Try knittinghelp.com. It has really good videos.

The best way though, really, is to find someone to actually show you - you will be up and away in no time! Search for 'stitch n bitch' and see if there is a group local to you.

And no, at a basic level it is nowhere near as tricky as it looks when you've never done it!

Good luck ...

I like the stitch n bitch books but not sure whether they are for complete beginners. I'm sure there's a knitting for dummies type book if you like that format. Knitting is so relaxing - I wish you well!

and Bitch is the best book to learn from I think, but you do need someone to show you how to cast on a few times. Debbie Bliss baby knits book www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Knits-Beginners-Debbie-Bliss/dp/0091889138/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&q id=1269292648&sr=1-1 is very clear too and baby things are good to start with as they don't take tooooo long.

The Stitch n' Bitch knitting book is for absolute beginners - it's what I used. i would recommend going to a group, as vorpalblade has suggested, it's much easier when somebody is showing you. Also, it's very inspiring to me (trying my very first sock) to see these other folk sitting knitting wonderfully amazing garments, while chatting away and drinking coffee

Stitch and Bitch that is.

Erika Knight has a new book coming out soon called simple knitting and stitch and bitch will help. (I taught myself how to crochet using 'simple crochet' and the happy hooker). Second the advice about finding a friendly yarn shop or group near you - they'll be able to encourage and keep you on the right track when you get stuck.

Thanks for the quick replies.

I would love to try and knit a cardi for DD 2yrs but think it may be to tricky to begin with.

MIL can knit and has offered to show me how so I think I will take her up on her offer.

A knitting group sound like a great idea, I will look to see if there are any in my area.

Oh brilliant, if your MIL can help you you'll be fine, you do need someone you can take things to when you get stuck

Definitely take MIL up on her offer - much easier than learning from a book.

Children's toys are another good way to learn - Jean Greenhowe does some great stuff.

I just knitted my first thing, and it was a jumper for my nearly 2yr DS, I wouldn't shy away from attempting something a bit complicated, so long as you work from a book that gives good clear instructions for each of the tricky bits. Actually wanting the thing you're knitting is good incentive to get through the difficulties and complete.

The book I found really useful as an absolute beginner was 'stich n bitch' by Debbie Stoller, as it assumes you know nothing about knitting. Which was pretty darn right!

Also, there are videos on Youtube showing you how to do various bits, which is useful if, say, you have been shown how to cast on half-a-dozen times and still can't remember...

My mum laughed uproariously when she first saw me knitting
I was going so slowly she couldn't actually tell what stitch I was doing. (I may also have been muttering quietly about bunnies going round trees)

I also really like this book by Catherine Tough www.amazon.co.uk/Easy-Knits-Little-Catherine-Tough/dp/1904485855/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269 327588&sr=8-1. It has really nice un-twee stuff and the patterns are very clearly written

Ravelry has groups by location and also groups for complete beginners.
You need to ask for an invitation but it comes through very quickly
Ravelry.com

tatty i love that book!

Hi I cnn knit (enough for a scarf anyway) but didn't know how to cast on or off and found some videos on youtube. Honestly having the needles in my hand and replaying if needed it was very easy.

Do the cardi! If you find a nice, simple well written pattern, you'll be fine, honestly.

Lots of people start with scarves but they can get quite boring. You'll learn lots of things if you make a cardi and your MIL can help you if you get stuck.

My only advice would be to make it a couple of sizes larger than your DD is now. I've made lots of things for DS but he's mostly outgrown them by the time I'm done which is very frustrating!

Do you BariatricObama? The balaclava I made from it is one of my best things, it's such a great pattern

I enjoy knitting scarves! - good way of practising using more than one colour too! best of luck - try knitting some squares as well. I just bought a mag called 'baby knits' by lets get crafting - designed for knitting virgins and has needles and yarn - buy it if you can as has some great patterns. Really best of luck and keep us posted!