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Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:46 pm  |
I have been interested in learning how to knit for some time. Recently our local Jo-Ann Fabrics was having a going out of business sale and I picked up some beautiful marked down yarn and a pretty nice set of knitting needles (Ok I think they are a nice set...everything was 80% of and they Had been the most expensive pair there but I nabbed them for $2. I know more $ doesn't always mean better product but I had no clue and other than price they all looked basically the same! Anyway.)
I was wondering if anyone here knits and maybe had some advice on good websites or books or just tips I could use for getting started. It just seems like there are so many different techniques and needle gauges and projects and types of yarn and apparently the yarn even comes in different sizes??? I had no idea! Where do I start? Anyone?
I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. 
I thought knitting was supposed to be relaxing. |
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Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:15 pm |
Hi Olyn,
I started knitting a few months ago and I'm hooked! It is a bit overwhelming at first and more than a bit frustrating, but after you understand the language, it gets better and better. I just completed my first sweater. It's pretty terrible, but I did it  !
Here are some sites that can help:
http://knitting.about.com/
http://www.straw.com/index.html
http://www.lionbrand.com/
http://www.usabilityviews.com/bloglines/top_knitting_sites.htm
You should also check your local yarn shop.
Some fun books:
Teach Yourself Visually:Knitting by Sharon Turner (on amazon.com)
Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti (on Amazon.com)
Stitch and Bitch Nation by Debbie Stoller (on amazon.com)
Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee on amazon.com) Also check out her knitting blog:www.yarnharlot.com
Also eBay is good for knitting needles, vintage patterns and some beautiful yarn.
Happy knitting, Joani |
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oily/dehydrated/acne prone/few wrinkles/olive coloring/older than you! |
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Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:43 pm |
In theory it is, lol - it took my entire pregnancy & a very patient co-worker to teach me.
Michaels offers classes you might want to check out. I find something like that was easier to learn in person than in a book (which I still can't understand!) or off the 'net.
Still can't make round things (I've finally gotten to a ovally type looking thing) - but can whip out a baby blanket now in about a week. Nothing fancy, but I like em. |
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Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~ Voltaire www.Candessence.com |
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Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:49 pm |
Wow Joani, thanks for all the info! I will be sure to check it out. I had tried to find a few websites on my own but since I have dialup (I know, I know) I have to be choosy about what I want to wait to load up, and trying to narrow down the best ones on my own was taking Forever.
Candy, that is a great idea about taking classes at Michaels! I had no idea they did that. I will probably do that as my first step if they have classes available in my area, and then once I have a better handle on things, check into some of the resources Joani mentioned. Do you need to bring your own supplies?
Thanks to you both! |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:34 pm |
I find knitting very therapeutic. I'm not good at it though. I only do scarves. You should see my cats with scarves around their necks.  |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:36 pm |
Hi Olyn!
I have been knitting about 2 years now... I'm still just making scarves, but i'm trying different stitches and stuff now and it's a lot of fun (and great de-stresser!)
My mom bought me a book titled "Stitch 'n Bitch" and it is a great resource for beginners! It walks you through all the basics, and has some fun patterns! and is pretty quirky to boot!
I think scarves are a super easy way to start knitting (and make fantastic christmas gifts!)
There are also some good websites that show/teach about different types of stitches (i'm apparently not allowed to post the web address... but just type knitting stitches in any search engine and you should be good!)
HTH!
good luck and more imporantly, enjoy! |
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Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:51 pm |
| Yen wrote: |
| I find knitting very therapeutic. I'm not good at it though. I only do scarves. You should see my cats with scarves around their necks. |
Yen you are to darn funny
I too can only knit scarves. Well, they kinda sorta look like scarves...I've never finished one yet  |
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Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:04 pm |
another scarf knitter here! well, kind of. for Yen's cats at least  my grandma tought me when i was a wee one, left-handed (continental, i think they call it?) and no oe's ever been able to show me how to purl. so i knit.... just bought some yarn and thread and am starting again. so, Yen, how to your cat's feel about black fuzzy material with little bits of colour??? |
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Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:20 pm |
| Rufus wrote: |
| Yen wrote: |
| I find knitting very therapeutic. I'm not good at it though. I only do scarves. You should see my cats with scarves around their necks. |
Yen you are to darn funny
I too can only knit scarves. Well, they kinda sorta look like scarves...I've never finished one yet |
So you make potholders? |
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Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~ Voltaire www.Candessence.com |
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Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:48 pm |
| Candy8865 wrote: |
| Rufus wrote: |
| Yen wrote: |
| I find knitting very therapeutic. I'm not good at it though. I only do scarves. You should see my cats with scarves around their necks. |
Yen you are to darn funny
I too can only knit scarves. Well, they kinda sorta look like scarves...I've never finished one yet |
So you make potholders? |
Sure, and they would begin to look like a scarf and never be finished.  |
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Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:07 pm |
| Yen wrote: |
| I find knitting very therapeutic. I'm not good at it though. I only do scarves. You should see my cats with scarves around their necks. |
I learned how to crochet when I was about 10 yrs old and used to make little "outfits" for my cat...which she did not appreciate much  |
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Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:21 am |
| Ok, I've taken my yarn out and admired it a few times, but haven't mustered the patience to do anything with it yet. You all make it sound so...fun. Scarves and potholders? Lovely. |
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Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:07 am |
come on, Olyn, time to knit! if i can do it one armed (for rehab), surely you can too. besides, the world can never have enough scarves  Yen's cats are getting cold.... |
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Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:52 am |
Surely it is not hard to learn how to knit. I learnt the basic knitting stitches when I was in primary school. There's just two stitches: knit and purl and then it's just variations of these two stitches.
I learnt to read patterns by myself when I decided that I wanted to knit jumpers etc. It was a bit of trial and error at first.
I agree that it is better if you learn from some else and not from a book at first as sometimes it is easier to see actually how it is done.
I have knitted numerous jumpers, skirs, suits and clothes for myself and my kids. It just takes a bit of patience and I think really therapeutic.
I have not knitted for a about 2-3 years now; getting a bit too old now  |
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