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What do you want to learn to knit? I learned specifically so I could make socks, and have since branched out into all kinds of knitting. Is this your first try at learning to work with yarn?
I would suggest working with decent needles and nice yarn. First timers often have luck with wood or bamboo needles, or plastic, because the yarn is less likely to fall off. Wool is great to work with as it takes a lot of abuse (LOL) It's easier to see what you are doing with a light colored yarn but choose something you like cause you are going to be looking at it a lot.
Don't start with any of the super fuzzy yarns, or bumpy... or "designer" in any way (except maybe variegated or ombre) Use a medium weight - worsted is a good size - and match the needle size to what it recommends on the ball band of the yarn.
Thanks Diane .
You must be a mind reader, because you answered all the question I was thinking about. I found that exact website last week, and it is awesome. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my post. Thanks again.
Patti
Glad I could help. It's not mind reading... it's just what everyone wants to know when they start :)
Have you considered going to any local knitting groups? Most areas have several to choose from and there are often people very willing to share their expertise.
There's a great website with videos to watch for everything from basic to advanced. It's called Knittinghelp.com (http://www.knittinghelp.com). My name there is ARIELLURIA.
I only started to knit seriously about a year ago (been interested all my life and made 1 scarf back in 99) and look at me now!!!!!!!!!!!!! See my blog Dog Days of Knitting: http://dogdaysofknitting.blogspot.com.
Just jump in with both feet. You will get addicted ;o)
Thanks drivenbonkers, and Ladyborg for your encouragement, and helpful hints.
I joined knittting help.com ,but when I log on it will not except my password. They sent me another ,but it still will not let me enter the chat forums. Do you go there Ladyborg?
Diane I went out today and bought my first pair of needles and worsted cotton yarn. I learned the cast on stitch., and now I am trying the knit and purl stitch. I now realize had bad my eyes really are. I need to run to the store and get me pair cheap reading glasses. It hell getting old. LOL
Thansk again Ladies.
Patti
Diane in FL is giving good advice. I would also like to say this (coming from someone who has a degree in design & has expertise with alot of media) USE QUALITY MATERIALS. People almost always buy cheaper stuff when they first start learning something, thinking "well, I'll get the better quality later if I do well..." The thing is, you are setting yourself up for failure by using poor materials. Plus, when mistakes begin to happen, the learner nearly ALWAYS blames themself and quits. I wish I could tell EVERYONE this, no matter what they are wanting to learn to do: your success rate at any chosen endeavor will parallel the quality of your materials. When you are an expert knitter you can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but when learning, you need silk to make the silk purse!!! One more comment: I think worsted wool and #9 wooden needles would be the easiest for a beginner to learn on...something that will slide off the needles easily & that the stitch can be easily inspected for shape and quality.
I'll second what claywoman wrote, it's all about quality materials.
I can't count the number of 'it'll do for now' yarns I've bought, knit up and was not happy with.
Having said that though, a good quality acrylic in worsted weight is quite satisfactory for practice pieces. When I start a project, I always make up a practice piece, to check out the pattern, gauge, (and for any new technique presented in the pattern) or for stitches, example a lacy pattern, or cable or colour pattern.
It takes a bit to learn 'what it's supposed to look like' and once you master that part, the rest is just knitting.
Thank you Claywomen for your great advice. What brand of needles and yarn do you all prefer ?
I don't give up very easy. I have been wanting to learn how to knit for sometime. I just didn't know anyone that knitted. I crocket, but I was taught by someone who is left handed and I am right handed.
When I cast on I noticed it is very tight is that me or the material I am using or both?
tension (too tight or too loose) is the challenge, I found, when knitting.
If you find that casting on tight makes the first row too hard to work, try using a smaller needle for the second row, until you get the 'feel' for it. Tight enough that the needles don't slip out of the yarn, but not so tight you can't get a needle in to work the stitch.
Tight casting on may also be the method you used to cast on. There are as many methods to cast on, I think, as there are knitters, and every one has their preferance.
This is where a good book can help, one that illustrates the different steps clearly.
I don't have a "favorite" needle... I use different needles for different things, much as I use different pans when I am cooking. Most people who become "knitters" - and by that I mean those who enjoy it and move from project to project - start accumulating all different kinds!
Sometimes thrift stores have bags of needles, inexpensively... and that's a fun way to try a variety without breaking the bank.
Right now I am using bamboo straights, because I have a feather and fan (easy lace pattern) scarf, and the bamboo makes it so the fine wool I am using doesn't slide off the needles too easily.
Try casting on over two needles. I cast on over two needles for just about everything I do.
The cotton you are using can be contributing to the tightness. Cotton doesn't have much give. It makes it more difficult to get the needle into the stitch, and often causes wrist and hand pain due to the lack of stretch.
It would probably be easier for you if you used wool, a wool/acrylic blend (Lion Brand Wool-Ease is inexpensive and easy to find) or acrylic yarn to start. Some acrylics (some of any fiber yarn, when it comes right down to it) can be hard to work with. It is best if the yarn has some "spring" to it... a little bit of stretch, but not like a rubber band!
I don't have a favorite yarn, either! To me it would be like asking my favorite food... I have too many favorites : )
I only ever used knittinghelp.com for the videos, so I can't help you with your password issues. Try knittersreview.com There are many forums - discussing needles, yarn, projects, patterns - well - LOTS of forums! It is easy to use.
Since you already know how to crochet - check out the "continental knitting" method on knittinghelp It is a method where you hold the working yarn in your left hand. Crocheters often find it easier to use that method because they are used to holding the yarn that way. I "do it continental" !!!
Thanks Diane.The kntttinghelp website is awesome. I did check out the continental knitting video, and that feels very comfortable for me to use. I will use the double cast on method next time. I saw that on Knitty Gritty and forgot all about that until you mention it. Thanks again.
Patti
I was going to recommend the Continental. That's the only way I know how to knit and it seems faster to me also.
Rose, yes, I am on KH, but my name there as well as on Ravelry is ARIELLURIA. Send me a PM from there, let me know how it's going.
Materials do count, as far as needles I love the metal AND the wood ones. I started with the cheap yarn (like Red Heart from Walmart, it serves its purpose), and I'm moving up to better yarn, but I just won't shell out the big bucks for LYS (local yarn store) yarn! There ARE good deals to be had online, so that's where I shop. Typically 1/2 the price of the LYSs.
As far as moving up in yarn, but keeping it cheap I love Caron's Simply Soft (you can get it at Walmart)...the the one in the teal Irish Hiking Scarf my dog is wearing here. I'm just wearing it today for the first time because we got our first cold front and it's very comfy and I love the sheen of it!
That Lion Brand blend is a totally exellent suggestion, and very cost effective for starting out, for sure. As for needles, I'd just make sure they are good hardwood or bamboo, something that you can tell is going to slide well...and I was going to say last night that one thing I do that works really well to get your needles sliding is run them along your scalp (scratch your head & muse upon your work!!!) thereby lubricating them...may sound gross, but works like magic. This might help the tension problems a little too. Tension on your needles loosens up with with your confidence. Might try a size up in needles too.
What a great website...there's one thing I wish I could learn how to do, but don't know if I'm going to have time this winter, and that's where you have all different colors and designs all over your piece, in various shapes and sizes, requiring you to change yarns constantly, tie off, etc. Any time I tried doing this, such as on children's sweaters, the tension was terrible, puckered and the project was basicly ruined, the backside always looked terrible & snaggy. I always pride myself in the backside looking nearly as good as the inside...does anyone have any suggestions? Websites, etc.???
Hey Guys; Multi colored knitting is called "Intarsia".If you can knit and purl (stockinette) you can do Intarsia.You just have to be consistent.I'll post photo's later.I am currently doing a cotton sweater, 23 colors from yarn I bought on http://www.elann.com (Esprit).Last year i knitted a sweater in Alpaca (dk-weight) 17 colors.Looks fabulous but haven't worn it as last winter in CA was too warm.This year is supposed to be even warmer.
I also recommend "continental".If you are going to be doing Intarsia,this is the only way to go.
I did that , a simple design, it's called Fair Isle knitting. I just did it by watching a video on Knittinghelp.com. Go to http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/advanced_techniques/ and go to about the middle of the page where it says "
How to knit with 2 colors at a time: "
Here's what I made. Ripley is our model this time ;o):
Hey Guys; I hope this works- http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r71/fridom_snowbird/
I am not a computer geek.This sweater is based on a design from my friend Kaffee Fassett. The crosses are Russian Icons.This is a photo of the back.The front and sleeves are the same, however the pattern for the sleeves are reversed.(Meaning I started at the top,shoulder line, and knitted the sleeves in the color way going towards the waist).This is so when the sleeves are sewn to the bodice they are not mirroring the front.
The only difficult part of this sweater is the two color ribbing.The difficulty is knitting it loose enough to remain elastic, but yet tight enough so the vertical lines are straight.
Also the Only cast on that I use is the 2 needle Cable cast on.This also produces a perfect edge.
Wow!!!!!! I am so impressed by everyone's talent. I only wish I can knit as well as you all one day. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experiences and beautiful crafts with me.
Patti
Ladyborg, I love your knitting and your models. I agree with you about the Caron Simply Soft. It is a nice yarn to work with. I have found that if the yarn doesn't have a nice feel to me I don't enjoy knitting with it.
I have found knitters review to be very helpful.
I also find that all of my needles can get dirty from my hands I guess. I clean them with alcohol every now and then to clean them up. Then use waxed paper to smooth up your bamboo needles. Depending on what I am knitting I like to use a short needle or a circlular needle. I'm not fond of the longer needles - they seem to tire my hands.
While you are still trying things out don't use too dark or light a color. It's hard to see the stitches.
rose, a good knitting reference book that will fit in your knitting bag/basket will also come in handy. I have a lot of knitting books, but find that I turn to "The Knitter's Companion" most often. This is a little spiral bound book printed on cardstock. http://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Companion-Vicki-Square/dp/188...
I agree with the other posters that wool yarn is more forgiving and easier to learn with. It's important that you really like the yarn you are using when you are learning. I used to bring scraps of cheap yarns to the knitting classes at Stitches (a knitting conference) and found that I did not enjoy the classes or projects as much as when I used a yarn I liked.
Cascade 220 is one of my favourite "all-purpose" wool yarns. It comes in many nice colours, has a good hand and in a light colour will help you see your stiches. I use this yarn when trying out a new pattern from a knitting pattern dictionary or when trying a new technique. http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220.asp
You might want to sign up for Interweave Press's Knitting Daily newsletter to keep you inspired and moving along. Sandi has been posting her knitting mistakes as well as successes. It can be helpful to see that even "professional" knitter's flub up from time to time, and then see how the problem is solved. Here are links to a few recent issues:
