43 replies to this topic

[logcabinmama]

Here are a couple sites for learning to knit. I haven't read it all, but they sure look like they could help one learn.

(((((HUGS)))))

[Homesteader]

For all those who think knitting is hard, I learned as a young child.

I learned to knit when I was 7 years old. The nice old retired lady next door taught me. We were neighbors for the 13 years I grew up in that house. Since I married and left home I still keep in touch with her. She turned 90 years old in November and she still has all her marbles. In fact I asked her to send me an old pattern to make Princess a sweater and she wrote it down for me from memory!

[logcabinmama]

Well, now, Momo, I guess I just need to practice a lot more. One day I just may decide to try it again.

(((((HUGS)))))

[Becca_Anne]

Knitting is supposed to be a great stress reliever. Since I'm such a novice, I'm gonna do some research on these and other sites to increase my knowledge.

[logcabinmama]

You are so right about the stress, but if I pick up those needles, I would be under more stress.

[Aquinnah]

I had to read these posts to make me remember knitting and crocheting! I would not want to start knitting because I only know the basic stitch and could only make a scarf, but thinking aboout crocheting has made me itch to start again as with knitting I only know a basic technique that may be called a granny square but I'm not sure and I know how to make the scallop around the edges, plain as it may sound it makes a very pretty throw for the couch or chairs. Thinking about it know I am sure that would bring me some peace of mind and relieve some stress. I spent alot of time with my grandmother when I was in my teens and even thou she asked plenty of times if I wanted her to teach me how I always thought it was way to 'uncool" but I always watched her fingers and somehow it was absorbed into my dense teenage head, after she died I asked for her knitting needles and crocheting hook simply because they were hers. I was so surprised when I was pregnant for my first child and I picked them up one day because I had found some yarn and I actually could do it! I wish I could have told her I learnt how from her. Now I cant wait to get into a store and find the "perfect yarn" and begin a new throw for my couch

[Joebelle]

An excellent book for the beginning or expert knitter is Knitting for Dummies. Yes they made a for Dummies book on knitting! LOL. I am a fairly good knitter, but I still purchased and find myself pulling it out all the time. It takes you from the basics, to knitting socks on four needles!

[cartoongirl]

Knitting for dummies hey.....I'm going to see if they have that book at the library. I really want to learn how to knit. Knitted blankets are mine and ds's favorite. I'm always buying them but it would sure be rewarding to make ds one.... Want to so badly.

[cartoongirl]

Snowmom, those knitting sites look GOOD! Thank you.

[Joebelle]

I swear by the for dummies book. I have been kniting since I was 10 and still 21 years later am finding all sorts of things I didn't know from that book. I got mine from Amazon.com and I think it was around 18.00. Well, worth it.

[Jewlzm]

DH got me a knitting how to kit from walmart..The book looks more confusing than crochet. Im gonna also try those websites to see if they give any more direction than the book.

Does it matter what color or type of yarn is best for beginners? I learned when I started to crochet that the dark yarn was harder for my eyes to deal with.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

BIG NEEDLES !
and for your first try one color yarn and NOT that fancy sfuff out there now for scarfs......
leave that to the pros for now.
and lets NOT start off with a sweater or blanket ?
make a pot holder or simple scarf so that you can finish something.........

Oh.....
and relax....relax....relax

[southernesse]

www.knittinghelp.com is fantastic for learning to knit!

[Belle]

The only thing I knit anymore is dishrags. I forgot how to purl! I used to knit all kinds of things. I'm going to check out those links and see if they can refresh my memory. It would be nice to be able to make some different stitches, even if all I make is dishrags.

Nobody has ever been able to teach me to crochet. For some reason, I just can't see the stitches that I'm supposed to put the crochet hook through. It just looks like a knotted mess to me. Probably because of my dyslexia.

[Jewlzm]

ok.. I did the Biggest needles I have.. I did the one color yarn.. and I started a wash cloth.... I for the life of me cant figure out why I started with 20 stitches... and by the 9th row ended up with 25
Suggestions?

Other than that it looked pretty good.

[Belle]

You could be double-wrapping the yarn, which is how you increase, or splitting some of the stitches in two and making a stitch out of each half, which will leave a weak space. There are, probably, other possibilities, but those two are the most likely.

[Jewlzm]

hmmm.. good point.. Thank you Belle.

It is some pretty bad yarn Im working with perhaps I am splitting it.

Im getting pretty good at the knit stitch. But I throw in the purl stitch and I just get all confused LOL

[Amber]

Just a note. I was watching the HGTV and they have a spot in late morning (pacific time) for DIY and have knitting and then afterwards crochet. Sometimes they go a bit fast, but you get the jist and can watch them do the knit stitch and then the purl stitch the way you'd see it in your hands.

Today they were using 4 double end needles to do a round glove, it was interesting.

The crochet was doing a knit cap that kind of looked like an old aviators cap with long straps that went around your neck to keep warm. Based on rap, I think the lady said.

Interesting puff stitch she did and the directions are on the DIY network web page. She also stabilized the edge of the cap with beading elastic and then continued crochet over it. She said after you wear the cap awhile it has a tendency to lose its shape. The elastic was tied with a knot and she used washable fabric glue on the knot to keep it from coming undone.

You might have to find instructions on HGTV and click the link over to DIY. Sorry I did not catch the name of the show. I can catch it tomorrow if anyone wants the name.

[DebbieJ]

I learned to knit a little over two years ago from a book. "Teach Yourself to Knit". I learned to Crochet from a book, too. If I can learn at age 53, anyone can learn!