Sunday, April 11, 2010

{Post 200 - How Far I've Come}

This is my 200th post.  I just want to take a moment to bask in how incredible that seems to me.... .... .... okay I'm done.   Moving on.

I'm so excited to be featured on Molto Di Moda Designs Helpful Hints! Welcome to her readers!  


So.. I present to you...


How To Learn To Knit
 

Step 1 - Ask Someone!

If you know someone who knits, this is the easiest and probably most preferable method of learning - being shown in person. Even if you just know them casually, like at work, or you know someone whose Aunt knits, don't be shy!  We knitters love the proliferation of our craft and I'm sure they'd be plenty happy to show you the basics, step you through and answer questions.

Or Learn Online


The second best way, and the way I taught myself the majority of knitting, is through online tutorials.  Knittinghelp.com is one of the best resources that the web has to offer to beginning knitters.  It's totally free and she's got tons of videos showing most of the basic skills.  It takes patience and you may have to stop and start the videos 10 times to understand what you're seeing, but hang in there! It's worth it!




If you go this route, you'll get to choose how you want to knit: English style or Continental style.   Try them both and see if one of them feels more comfy for you!  I'm an English knitter myself. 

Step 2 - Buying Materials

Either way, you'll need to purchase a few materials: a set of knitting needles and some yarn.  For starter needles the size isn't important, but a medium sized 8 or 9 may be best, and about 10" will be fine.  The material you choose for your first needles may take some thought. Metal is the most common and come in a lot of fun colours, but for beginners they may tend to be more slippery than you would like.  My suggestion is to go with wood. 



Ooooo... purdy...

 Wood knitting needles are going to keep a little big of drag on your stitches so they are less likely just to slip out by accident. These are from KnitPicks.com (one of my favorite online sites for buying all knitting related goodies).


For yarn, pick something inexpensive that you won't feel too bad about butchering! A pretty colour that inspires you is a must.  Knit Picks has a ton of fun stuff to choose from so if you follow my advice and get size 8 wooden needles, pick up some worsted (medium) weight yarn while you're there.


Step 3 - Picking a First Pattern

Get ready to try a pattern! My suggestion for a first pattern would be a dishcloth.  It's the same shape as a scarf, but a ton shorter and in the end you have something functional!   Just cast on however many stitches you want, knit every row back and forth until it's a square (or rectangle, or whatever) and then cast off.   When you feel like a challenge try this cloth:




This one is knit from corner to corner and you'll use a few more basic skills like increasing and decreasing.  Look to knittinghelp.com for videos.    Oh and make sure you buy 100% cotton  so you can wash and dry your clothes. Lily's Sugar N' Cream is a tried tested and true yarn that can be found at Micheals, or Walmart for around $1.50 and you should be able to get two dishclothes from it.  There are tons of colours to choose from too! This one looks cute with my blog, doesn't it? ;)



Step 4- Enjoy!

That's about it! Once you know how to cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, and cast off, you're pretty much ready to go!  Just about every knitting pattern out there is a combination of those skills.  Have fun!!

Come check me out at www.Ravelry.com ! It's an online knitting and crochet community where you can keep track of your Yarn Stash, there are tons of free (or not) patterns, participate in the community forums and tons tons more!  My name there is Nalamienea - search for me and add me as a friend! I'll be happy to try to answer any questions you may have, or I can find an answer for you.

In the end, you may just have a found a new   relaxing wonderful hobby   Stress Reliever!  :P



9 comments:

  1. Yay, congratulations on 200 posts! That's huge! And not to mention the feature, I loved your article about learning to knit! I actually learned most of my skill from the Vouge Knitting book, but I also had some help from a friend of mine who also knits. But I love the fun and light tone of your learning to knit-tips, it was really well written! Congrats again! (And now I'll stop abusing the exclamation mark...)

    Hugs / Jenny

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  2. This is such an awesome post! You make it sound so easy to get started!!! I can't wait to post about you. I forwarded the questions to you so I can properly introduce you.

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  3. omg LOL! i just recieved some knitters buttons in a swap and one of them just so happens to say "I knit so i don't kill people" xD

    imagine my surprise when i got to the end of your glorious 200th post (congrats btw ^.^) and saw that same phrase. i guess the days of knitters being seen as grannies are long gone

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  4. YAY. Happy 200th! Your blanket looks really nice. It looks like it would be kind of fun to work on too.I'm working on one but it's just big blocks of lionbrand homespun in different colors. Boring in comparison :p

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  5. What a great post with some great advice. I've enjoyed your blog for quite some time. I look forward to your 300th post!

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  6. How nice that you took the time to help novice knitters. Knitters can be so nurturing with each other and this little post is certainly going to be appreciated.

    I am an avid and passionate knitter. My blog is mostly knitting related as well. I love yarn - I obsess about yarn - it is really bad in th Sacred Yarn Room! But - it is mine, all mine, and I LOVE it.

    The joy of knitting is a wonderful thing and the peace and spirit of calm that it brings to my life is what keeps me sane.

    Congradulations on your 200 postings!

    Vicki

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  7. I have a friend who is going to teach me to knit and I can't wait!

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  8. Congrats on 200! I love that S and C cotton yarn!!! It crochets so well!

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