{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!

 www.knittinghelp.com

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:

 Groovy Mom's Website - free pattern

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