| Author | |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 9:56am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I know Mary G. is taking a computer break right now, but I bet there are other knitting experts out there. Maybe Mary will come out of hiding for just a minute. 
Can I teach myself to knit? Am I trying something that will end in frustration? Is this realistic?
What do I buy at the craft store to begin. Where do I begin? What kind of project?
What do you store your stuff in?
I don't want to sound like a handiwork expert, but I know how to smock, some embroidery, and how to sew, so I'm not completely foreign to working with my hands. (Not that I'm very good  ).
Anyway, if you get a minute, point me in the right direction here. . .
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 10:08am | IP Logged
|
|
|
PM Mary G for sure to get her expertise, but yes, it's doable and quite easy. If you're already doing handiwork, then you know how to follow instructions and illustrations, half the trial!
Do you have a Costco near you? Or just a bookstore? There are some cool knitting kits from Lion brand that have some yarn and some instructions that might be fun to start.
There's one book my sister used for her girl to learn knitting, but it's not dumbing down, and I thought it was excellent even for me for basics. There are some other adult books that are good, but I can't put my hand on them right now. I had asked Mary G some help in the past and I might have her recommendations. I'll see what I can find...
In my town there is a wonderful Christian woman who owns a Needlecraft store. I can go in there at any time and ask her advice on books, supplies, stitches, knitting problems and she'll give advice. Maybe you have something nearby like that?
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 10:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah -
The clearest knitting instruction book I've found has a title that should be censored: "Stitch and B****" (it's a rhyming title). Sorry about the title, but it is very clear and gives all sorts of little hints that prevent common "dumb" mistakes that everyone makes when starting. Maybe if you wrapped it in plain brown paper, you could bring it into your home ...
I know our library has a copy, so you might be able to preview it.
Hope that helps.
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
marihalojen
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1883
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 10:23am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Try the Lion Brand Website, tons of goodies there including a printable learn to knit section. Knitting Help has over 150 videos that downloaded quickly and clearly on my computer. There really is nothing quite like seeing it in action! Here is the beginning knitting section showing the differences between Continental, English and Combined knitting. I know there are many more good sites but I hope these will help!
__________________
~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawnie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 30 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 841
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah,
Yes, you can teach yourself to knit! I taught myself to knit using a little book I bought at a craft store--JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby. It's called "Teach Yourself to Knit in Just One Day!" I thought it was very clear and the price was right--only about $8. I've since discovered that our local public library has LOTS of books on knitting--both teach-yourself-to-knit books and books w/ more advanced projects. So, if you have access to a good public library, you might not need to spend any money at all on a book!
I store my knitting stuff--yarn, needles, and patterns I'm not currently using on a project in a large Rubbermaid storage box. Yarn takes up a lot of room, so I think a large box for storing your "stash" is best. For projects that I'm working on, I have a canvas bag that I keep the project, pattern, needles, yarn and other small supplies in. I have a needle case for my needles. I have a small cosmetics bag w/ lots of little pockets for the small things like little scissors, stitch markers, tapestry needles, my needle gague, and tape measure.
To begin...you'll probably start with just making 4 inch gague swatches to learn the stitches. After you're comfortable making the basic stitches (knit and purl), I would start with a small project, like a dishcloth or a scarf. You can make a dishcloth out of cotton yarn, which is inexpensive. There are lots of free patterns online. Dishcloths are quick to knit and when you're done, you have something you can actually use.  I tend to be kind of impatient, especially when first learning how to do something, so a project with instant gratification is good for me.
Knitting is kind of a slow art, but it's a lot more portable than other kinds of handiwork. You can take your knitting to the doctor's office and knit in the waiting room. You can knit on car trips (when dh is driving ). You can even knit while nursing, with certain kinds of needles. I recently finished a baby blanket for Clara--I think I put 50-60 hours of work into it. It took me 7 weeks to knit it. I can make a pair of baby booties in about 8-10 hours--I usually work on those for about 2 hours a night over 4-5 nights.
I'm not as knowledgeable about knitting as MaryG is, but if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me...maybe I can point you in the right direction!
Dawn
__________________
Mom to Mary Beth (99), Anna (02), Lucia (04), Clara (06), and Adelaide Victoria (2/28/09)
Visit my blog!Water Into Wine:Vino Per Tutto!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawnie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 30 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 841
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 1:29pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Here is a link for free dishcloth patterns.
As far as what supplies you need to start, I'd start w/ a book...pick something out of the book you'd like to knit, whether it's just a gague swatch or a small project, then go buy the supplies you'll need for the project--probably needles and yarn are all you'll need at first. If you're just knitting gague swatches at first, just get some size 7 or 8 knitting needles and some yarn that you like. Just buy plain old acrylic for learning to knit--stay away from the furry kinds of yarn while you're learning. It's really hard to see your stitches w/ that kind of yarn.
HTH
Dawn
Dawn
__________________
Mom to Mary Beth (99), Anna (02), Lucia (04), Clara (06), and Adelaide Victoria (2/28/09)
Visit my blog!Water Into Wine:Vino Per Tutto!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 3:00pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah,
My ears were burning and I decided to pop in and saw your question.
YES, you can teach yourself to knit -- I did when I was 8 (my sister was learning and my mom didn't know how; my sister still doesn't knit and I've since taught my mother!)
Anyway, I would heartily recommend all the titles and suggestions already mentioned. Another book set -- get it from the library as it's WAY TOO EXPENSIVE -- is The Knitting Experience - Book 1 Knit Stitch and The Knitting Experience - Book 2 Purl Stitch. These books will tell you EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about the knit stitch and the purl stitch -- with projects that are just knit or purl. These are the only 2 stitches you need to understand -- and then the "world is your oyster"!
Also good for learning is using Melanie Falick's Kids' Knitting which has lots of fun projects and makes it very easy to understand (which it is!)
Also, pm me if you have any knitting questions -- I LOVE to talk knitting! Also, if you'd like, I can send you a "booklet" that I put together for a knitting course I did with teens.
As far as what to buy -- go with size 7 or 8 needles (as Dawnie suggested) and a smooth wool yarn like Paton's Classic Wool or Coats & Clark Cotton Plus -- these are nice, smooth, well-spun yarns that are forgiving of being ripped out when you make a mistake (which we ALL do, so don't feel bad). Avoid the fuzzy, bumpy, funky but VERY seductive yarns -- consider them off limits until you've learned a bit. These are just frustrating to work with -- even with you've been knitting a while.
Well, that should hold you for now. BTW, you can store your stuff in anything -- cute baskets, Vera Bradley bags or grocery bags. I won't tell ...
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 3:10pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I AM SO EXCITED! And I haven't been excited in a long time here.
You gals are great! Thank you for the tips and encouragement.
I'm going to give it a try. This isn't a whim either. I've been wanting to learn for such a long time. Last year there was a HS mom knitting class and a bunch of them were learning together. I couldn't make it. But when I'd hear them talk about it and look excited about it I SO wanted to learn.
Also, I remember my mother trying to learn. She never really took off on it, but my SIL totally got into it and made the sweetest mittens and purse for us.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted! Thanks again!
God bless,
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 4:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm excited too! I didn't realize there were so many free patterns/instructions on the internet!
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
J.Anne
Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 24 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 303
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 4:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I think it is easier to just work through it that have someone teach you. You sort of need to get the feel of it. My sister and I both followed the instructions in a Martha Stewart magazine. I agree with Jenn that the smartest thing to do is to befriend your local knitting store owner - most of whom are super friendly. Mine gives me free patterns and helps if I ever get stuck on anything. Have fun!
Jennifer
As Cozy as Spring
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4 lads mom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 26 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1944
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 7:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Yay, yay, Yah!!!  Okay, that is a weak forum posting of a happy dance, but anyway...I love to knit, and I am a non crafty kind of girl, can't hardly sew a button, BUT, I took to knitting and LOVE it!! It was a lifesaver when I went through 11 surgeries in 5 years with my little guy.
Here is a GREAT item to help ANYONE to knit....a CD-ROM by Coats and Clark called, "Knitting Made Easy". It is an interactive CD-ROM...put it in your computer, keep replaying the real hands as they show you how to knit with the voice over instructions. For someone who might be overwhelmed easily visually, this is a good one because it is very low key, but packed with useful info. The BEST part...at our local store, it's only $6!!
Here's a link if you want http://www.jo-ann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=90128&PRODID=70443 &st=11
That one is JO-Ann Fabric's website...so, you might just try at the store or at a Micheal's as well.
Hope that helps!!
Happy Knitting,
4 Lads' Mom
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
alicegunther
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1992
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2006 at 10:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My friends Kari, Caroline, and our own Mary Ellen Barrett have sworn that I can be taught to knit in an afternoon. I am hoping this afternoon will take place sometime in January.
Then maybe I will be able to comment on Mary G's knitting blog with some intelligence!
__________________
Love, Alice
mother of seven!
     
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
nissag
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 23 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1511
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 8:11am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I taught myself how to knit and to crochet. I learned how to crochet when I was mmmm... about 10 years old, I think. I didn't learn to knit until after my second child was born. We were stationed in Illinois and I went out to WM and picked up a little pamphlet "Teach Yourself to Knit". It had a couple of patterns inside.
I nearly went demented trying to figure out ribbing. I'd get about 4 stitches along and the whole thing was a tangled mess. In desperation I made a very expensive phone call to my dear mother-in-law back home in Massachusetts who is an EXPERT knitter. She's talked me down from the ledge and coached me. Now I'm a proficient and happy knitter. I just happen to be a visual/tactile learner. You can, can, can teach yourself to knit. And if you run into trouble, you can call on someone for help!
I now teach knitting from age 4 to adult. The trouble is that one of my star pupils is now a better knitter than her mom, er, teacher! ;-)
Have fun! And clear a closet for all the yarn goodies!
__________________
Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 8:28am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I taught myself to knit, from several books. And then a year later someone who was an avid knitter told me my stitches were twisted(?). Could someone explain what that means? Haven't knitted in years though, after making scarves for hubby and Papa, socks for my mom, strawberry and pumpkin hats for my kids. I have a cardigan I was designing/knitting for my dad but I'm still on the second sleeve. Started it 8 years ago!
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
nissag
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 23 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1511
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 8:43am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Twisted stitches happen when you've either dropped the stitches and picked them up incorrectly, or when you are inserting your needle into the stitch incorrectly.
For knit stitches, your working yarn should be in the back and you insert your needle from the front (to the left left to right through the stitch). For purl stitches, make sure your working yarn is in front and that you insert the needle from the back of the stitch (right to left through the stitch.
Is that about as clear as mud?
How bout you just come on over, I'll make some coffee, put out a plate of cookies and show you what I mean?
__________________
Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4 lads mom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 26 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1944
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 8:48am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Just a thought...could twisted stitches be due to wrapping the yarn around the needle to make a new stitch backwards....instead of wrapping the yarn over the top of the needle, it might be that you are wrapping the yarn from the bottom...
IT is getting murkier, isn't it? I'll bring some cookies, Nissa!!
Gotta go, I'll check in later...
4 Lads' Mom
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
nissag
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 23 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1511
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 10:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
4 lads mom wrote:
Just a thought...could twisted stitches be due to wrapping the yarn around the needle to make a new stitch backwards....instead of wrapping the yarn over the top of the needle, it might be that you are wrapping the yarn from the bottom...
IT is getting murkier, isn't it? I'll bring some cookies, Nissa!!
Gotta go, I'll check in later...
4 Lads' Mom |
|
|
Yes! Just make sure you're 'catching' the sheep and not 'throwing' him away!
__________________
Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 12:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Do I start with "Continental" or "English?"
This is great. I had dreams last night I was knitting.
I sent dh to the craft store for needles yesterday since I'm still not up to going anywhere (recovering from preg. sickness-long bout) and he came back with needles that were like 4" long. Oh dear, I didn't think it would that hard for him.
We'll try again.
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 12:13pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
I sent dh to the craft store for needles yesterday since I'm still not up to going anywhere (recovering from preg. sickness-long bout) and he came back with needles that were like 4" long. Oh dear, I didn't think it would that hard for him.
|
|
|
Isn't it funny how a guy can get through medical school but be confounded by a craft store? I can't send the men in this family to the craft store either...
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
nissag
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 23 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1511
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 12:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
Do I start with "Continental" or "English?"
|
|
|
I teach and use English. Continental (I've found) is very tricky. HOWEVER, Continental eliminates the dropping of the right needle! It also tends to go a bit faster than English when you've got the hang of it.
Most English knitters will let go of the right needle to wrap. That can be a dangerous thing! So, for English knitters, I highly recommend the use of bamboo needles. Their light weight has less tendency to slide out of your stitches if you let go to wrap.
I also like LONG needles b/c I have a tendency to tuck the left needle up under my arm when I get going and get tired. Unless, of course I'm knitting in the round - which is my all-time favorite. I hate making up after...
If you're interested in different techniques, try checking out "Knitting Around the World" from the library. It's by Taunton press - the same folks who publish Threads magazine.
__________________
Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Teach myself to knit?
