Knitting Begginer's Help!

[Morr]

Hey guys, I need your help!
I am eager to learn how to knitt... Is there a site that can help me get info on the proper knitting needles and stuff that I should get as a first timer?
I want to go to the store tomorrow but I have NO idea as to what to ask! LOL

Any tips or advice? Links, etc?

Thanks!

[Lacuna]

When I asked a question about knitting someone sent me a private message with a link to an awesome website: http://www.knitty.com. there is also a forum there where you can ask questions. http://www.knittyboard.com

Before you go to the store pick out a beginning pattern, that way you will know what needle and yarn size you need to get.

Do you know anyone who knits? For me, I looked at pictures of how to do it and just couldn't figure it out, I could never get it to work. So, I went to my grandmas and I was knitting in 10 minutes! I still just do basic things, but I can make scarves and hats now.

There is also this thread, there are more answers to your question there: http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=115123

[*Rain*]

A great site to start with is

http://www.knittinghelp.com/

They talk you through all you need and how to get started with your first project. They also have online videos to show you how to do each thing.

I think it's easier for new knitters to start with English rather than Continental knitting, but that's up to you.

A great place to ask questions about knitting is
http://knittyboard.com/

it's part of the Knitty site which is a free online magazine that has free patterns and articles on techniques.
http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/index.html

A wonderful resource is a yarn shop, the staff are generally very knowledgable and helpful and often run beginner classes.

Have fun!

[Morr]

Thanks guys :D

Yes, I just might have to go to my grandmas for help with this, even though I am a stubborn Aries determined to learn by myself! LOL

[*Rain*]

Don't knock the Granny factor. These wonderful women often have years and years of experience and can teach you tips and tricks that only a long time knitter will know.

In fact if you can't use your own grandmother, borrow someone else's!

[KEishin]

Grandmas are the BEST. I learned from mine and I've been doing it successfully for over 20 years now!

My tips -

1: Don't spend a lot of money on fancy yarns. I see so many folks go in and plop down 20+ dollars for a skein or two. Pfffttt. Start with a nice worsted-weight 100% acrylic. That way if you trash the yarn you're not out too much money. THEN move onto wool or Fun Fur or the bulkies/threads.

Especially since if you can't easily make out the stitches with those, which often happens with fancier yarns it will make it harder to learn to knit. Hint: knit stitches look like (v) and purls like lines (--).

2. Use metal needles - plastic or bamboo break too easily when you're still learning. Plus they're often cheaper, at least in my neck of the woods. (Try a 7/8 for worsted weight)

3. Don't buy all the junk they try to sell you at the store. Stitch markers? Tie a piece of contrasting colored yarn around the needle instead. Yarn holders? Run a string through the stitches to hold them. Point protectors? Bah, use an extra pencil eraser if you're worried. Using circular needels and having your stitches slide off? Wrap a rubber band around the end. (Yes, I'm a ghetto knitter! :lol: )

4. Roll your yarn into balls before starting so you maintain even tension. (It's easy - just ask if you want to know!) Machine-wound skeins aren't always the best . . . plus it keeps the yarn form tangling.

5. To determine the yardage in a partially used skein of yarn. Wrap the yarn around the back of a chair, measure the length of the yarn on one side of the chair, then multiply times 2. Now count how many times the yarn goes around the back of the chair and multiply by that number. (Example: If on the front you measure 12 inches across, multiply it by 2, so you have the measurement for the front and back. That's 24. Then count how many times the yarn goes around, let's say 50 times. Multiply the 24 inches by 50 wraps. That's 1200 inches or 100 feet or 33.33 yards.)

6. I used to use bobby pins as stitch counters. They're cheap and if you put then every 25 stitches (or whatever) if you lose count you just go back and count pins!

That's all I can think of for beginners. Pm me if you have questions. I've taught many folks to knit.

[Faery-Wings]

Thank you!
I am now working on teaching myself how to knit as well as crochet. Yes, my husband mocks me about this all of the time.
Yesterday I figured how to cast on, and I am getting the hang od the knit stitch.
Someday I want to make some cool stuff from the anti-craft site. :halohead:

[Faery-Wings]

Hey Morr, as a real newbie, my suggestion is to go slow and really look at the yarn. I had figured out how to cast on, and knit, but was really struggling with purling. I had to literally twist the needles around to see where the looop needed to be coming from and where it was going. Once I saw it from the side, I was able to get it. The videos helped a lot, but really watching what I was doing helped so much more.

And Morr, if *I* can figure this out, anyone can. :p

[Sylvan]

I picked up the Klutz Learn-to-knit set in March. It comes with wooden needles, yarn, book, and big plastic needle (for finishing up). I don't know if the needles are bamboo, but I didn't break mine when I started off, and I had a death grip like you wouldn't believe.

I didn't get casting on right away.. I just looped the yarn around the first needle so it kinda looked like it did in the book and went from there. Once I'd gotten several rows of purling down, I understood what I was *supposed* to have done in the first place to cast on, and had no problems after that.

The knitting help site linked to above is *super* helpful. They have videos that show how stuff should be done, which was awesome when I couldn't figure out what the heck was meant by "purl thru back loops". :D They also show several different ways of casting on.

About.com also has a plethora of different patterns to check out. After I got through the yarn that came with the Klutz kit, I bought a skein of acrylic and made an entire scarf in a pattern, and it turned out *lovely*.

Best of luck! Can't wait to see what you come up with! :)

((I'll have to friend you on LJ, I don't want to miss this! :D ))

[Serendipity]

I can crochet, but I've never actually finished anything I've started. Which leaves me hesitant to learn how to knit. BUT I WANT TO! lol

[Morr]

LMAO!

Thanks everyone!
I am running a bit short on cash, once I get some I will most definitly go out and get yarn and needles and see what happens haha!!

Sylvan you are welcome to friend me on LJ (ophelias_night)... Be warned there are insane stuff going on there BEYOND the challenge of knitting LOL

[Morr]

I was out walking back home today from this thing I had, when I passed by an arts and crafts and knitting store...

Despite my lack of money I got a pair of knitting needles and black yarn.

Now I have to figure out what to do with them...

[Morr]

*Squee!*

I learned how to do a double cast on!!

:floating:

I feel so accomplished!

[Sylvan]

Pictures! Pictures!!!!! *squeeee*

[Faery-Wings]

you rock, Morr!

Got a beginner question for you all...
I can now cast on, knit and purl. But... I am having troubel keeping the stitches on the needles. For ex. I feel like I am either keeping the stiches so far back from the tips that I have to really strectch and dig to make the stitch. Or if I keep them closer to the tips they all slide off.
With crocheting it is easy to just rip out a stitch or two and start over, but how do you start over with knitting, w/o have to rip down to the beginning?

[Morr]

LOL thanks :D


Well, I only figured how to do the first row on cast ons... I dont know how to create more rows underneath it so that it actually creates a square LOL I'm going to have to figure THAT one out...

[*Rain*]

That's cool Morr, keep up the good work!

Faery-Wings, it's one of those things that comes with practice. I use the index finger and thumb on my left hand to hold the stitches near the point, that stops them going anywhere. If that doesn't work for you then wooden or bamboo needles tend to be a lot more grippy and the stitches don't slide about as easily. They're more expensive than aluminium needles and a lot of people don't like them because the stitches don't move as freely (more important when you get faster). They are easier on the hands though.

As for fixing mistakes, it depends what you do. If you've dropped a stitch then you can fix it with a crochet hook, there should be a video about it on the Knitting Help site mentioned above. Sometimes it's easier to just start again though.

Stick with it folks, it's worth it!

[Crystal Raven]

i don't mean to take over someone else's thread, but made more sense than making a new one for the same thing...I am stuck on purl-ing I just can't seem to figure it out!!! I got the right needle over left needle and how to bring the yarn around backwards, but i can't seem to get the slip the yarn through part!!! :strike:

HELP PLEASE!!!!

[*Rain*]

Try watching the video here (The English method one)

http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/purl.php

If that doesn't help then there are pictures on these sites

diagrams
http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=85

photos
http://www.mycraftbook.com/Purl_Stitch.asp

Hope that helps. It can be hard to find easy to follow diagrams

[Sylvan]

Sometimes if you're just starting out, or if you're working a complicated pattern, it can be helpful to throw a "lifeline" into your work. All this does is make a safe place to rip back to if you find a mistake. What you do is thread a spare piece of yarn (helps to use a different color than the one you're working with) through all the loops in one row. Just follow it along next to your needle. It's like putting a spare needle into your work so that when you rip it back, you don't wind up having to oh-so-carefully figure out how to put the loops back on the needle. Just thread your needle in where the thread goes, and wah-la! :D

[Morr]

ok, just so i get this right...

Sorry for the whole knitting special ed mode..
But after i do one row of cast ons (say 25 of them)... I begin the actual knitting process and THAT creates rows (which eventually leads to the body of the fabric/project itself...).... Right?

At this point i got one row of cast on stiches... i am slowly learning to do a stich knit thing..

So ok, once I get the stich knit thing down, when the stiches go off from one needle to another, yada yada yada, THAT creates the fabric?

Am I making ANY sort of sense here?

[*Rain*]

That does make sense Morr, you've grasped what is going on with the knitting process, so get on with it! ;)

[Morr]

That does make sense Morr, you've grasped what is going on with the knitting process, so get on with it! ;)


LMAO

*phew!*

Knitting Special Ed. Class IS paying off!

[Faery-Wings]

:rotfl:

Hey, I am sitting inthere right next to you.

I swear, hubby thinks I am loony. I have a cheap skein of yarn that I practice with while I am watchuing tv. I'll knit a few rows, pull it out, try again.
Or I will crochet a few different stitches, pull out begin again.

Someday I will actually knit something I can actually see. :lol:

[*Rain*]

Start making a garter stitch scarf, then in 10 years time you can talk about how you learnt to knit and that you still have it on the needles unfinished.

:T Every knitter has something like that.

Big needles and the thickest yarn you can find guarantees a fairly quick finish.

[Morr]

*raises hand*

I have another Q...

So I got the knit stich down *yippie!*
But when I got all the cast ons onto the other needle using the knit stich, well, at some point they ended LOL and I didnt really know what to do, so I tried to do the same with the very last cast on loop... and when they all were on the left hand needle, the last loop stayed just that -- a loop. It didnt knit itself onto the right hand needle like the rest of them..

I mean, I figured I just had to get them all onto the right hand needle, and then switch needles around and start all over again...

*blush*..

I feel stupid LOL
So now, i have a loop at the bottom of the needle (where it should have been pulled into a snug knit like the rest of them have...)...

What do I do.. and what is next?

LOL

[Morr]

Never mind...

I think I figured it out...

[halfwaynowhere]

so, how's it going? I just taught myself to knit, and am now working on a scarf thats all knit 1, purl 1... i used http://www.stitchguide.com they have videos for different stitches, along with diagrams... it took me forever to get the hang of "purling", and then it was even harder to figure out ho to go back and forth from knit to purl... but eventually i figured out, you have to move the yarn back and forth each time... anyways, keep working on it, you'll get it eventually, and have fun!

[Faery-Wings]

Good for you halfway.
I gave up on the knitting for now. I am getting much better at crocheting. Maybe when I have more time to concentrate on knitting I'll start it up again. The one thing that really bugs me are that there are so many good online and print resources for knitting and not so much for crochet.

[halfwaynowhere]

yeah, i know what you mean... i'm still not doing much knitting, i keep poking my fingers with the tips of the needles, and it hurts! i think i'll just stick with the crocheting for now, too... i finished one afghan, and started another today, stupid me, promising afghans to people for christmas, and then realizing that christmas is almost here... anyways, it seems knitting is far more popular than crocheting, most people in my local stitch n' bitch group just knit, even if they know how to crochet... and there are a lot of cool patterns online for knit stuff, not as much for crochet, but there is still plenty, its just hard to find, you have to sift through the boring patterns to find something that looks really nice...

[mucgwyrt]

You know what would be REALLY great? If some of you guys started a knitting group in the Circle of teaching!

I get so overwhelmed looking at all the knitting tutorial sites - it would be SO great to have a week-by-week lesson with small tasks each week, and the ability to ask you guys questions as we go! You could still incorporate some of the existing tutorials online (and the videos etc) but it would be so helpful to have structured lessons and guidance :kooky:

Watcha think, Rain? keishin? :halohead:

*gonna go post in CoT*
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=117746

[mucgwyrt]

ok, odd question - are stitch markers (is that what they're called?) blunt, or are they like regular sewing pins, or hoops or...?

[KEishin]

Ooh, that's a good idea!
I'd love to teach a class, but not sure how it would work over the internet :thinks:

[KEishin]

Stitch markers look like this : http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/notions-tools---accessories-stitch-markers.html

[Sylvan]

Anything can do as a stitch marker in a pinch. I've used small loops of an off-color yarn to mark stitches before. Stitch markers don't actually attach to the stitches, they are slipped onto the needle in between stitches to help keep track of stitch counts. Like, I made a hat once, where I needed to mark between every 8 stitches. When I got to the top of the hat where I needed to decrease, I would knit two together after having slipped the marker over onto my right-hand needle. And kept going around and around until I was left with... 3 stitches, I think. :)

[Sun Sprite]

I have forgotten everything I leanred about knitting 20 years ago. I recently restarted and have been makeing sweaters, but the top around the neck never looks right. Any suggestions of sites that explain that well?

Oh and anyone who crochets and wants to teach, let me know, I wish I could crochet!

Thanks,
Sun Sprite

[mucgwyrt]

Anything can do as a stitch marker in a pinch. I've used small loops of an off-color yarn to mark stitches before. Stitch markers don't actually attach to the stitches, they are slipped onto the needle in between stitches to help keep track of stitch counts. Like, I made a hat once, where I needed to mark between every 8 stitches. When I got to the top of the hat where I needed to decrease, I would knit two together after having slipped the marker over onto my right-hand needle. And kept going around and around until I was left with... 3 stitches, I think. :)
Ahh, I see...