4Real Forums: Help me learn to knit?

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Topic: Help me learn to knit?

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SusanJ
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 2:56pm \| IP Logged

I'm thinking of finally learning to knit. I have done it before--I made a small scarf or something and it was highly stress-inducing. That was many years ago. I've had slightly more recent success with crocheting but still very, very simple.

What is one good book for teaching yourself to knit (something with really good pictures!)? Any tips about needles and yarn? I think part of my problem in the past was poor yarn choices.

Also--does knitting have an advantage over crocheting? I know they are done differently and look a little different. Why do one over the other?

Susan

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asplendidtime
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 3:25pm \| IP Logged

As far as preference btwn knitting and crocheting, it comes down lots of times to what you are faster/better at. For me it depends on the project.

I would just suggest though if you want to learn, find easy small projects, like baby hats, diaper soakers, play food, washcloths, etc... Free Crochet Patterns & Free Knitting Patterns Buy a bag of yarn from a thrift store and maybe an assortment of hooks/needles cheaply, that way you can get an idea of different weights of yarn and how they work. That way no pressure, if you can't seem to get the pattern move onto something else, you can always go back to it when you are a little more experienced.

Use tutorials for knitting/crochet here The only problem with starting with a scarf, is that it proves a rather tedious project, and it takes a long time to get that wonderful satisfied feeling that you made something. Start small, feel great, move up from there.

'Hope you have lots of fun!

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Mary G
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Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 3:57pm \| IP Logged

Susan -- the best book (both for kids and adults) I think is Melanie Falick's Kids Knitting which almost all libraries have (altho I finally invested in a copy as I recommend it so much!

As far as the difference between knit and crochet -- other than the obvious that knitting uses 2 needles and crochet one hook -- the big difference is that knitting tends to be softer and more supple while crochet seems to be more rugged looking. That said, crochet is also beautiful in lace -- tabelcloths etc, but I just don't find it is as variable in texture and shaping as knitting.

I used to only crochet when I was little -- my brothers would pull out the needle and with crochet you only lose 1 stitch at a time as opposed to when they would pull out the knitting needle and I'd lose tons of stitches in one fell swoop!

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