What is the best way to learn how to knit?

[KiwiZ]

I would like to learn how to knit. Can you learn it from a book or DVD? Or do you recommend a class or one-on-one if you can find it? How did you get started and what kinds of things can you knit now? (I'm hoping to be able to make a cover up or a hat eventually; a sweater just seems way too much to even imagine at this point LOL)

[sassafrass94]

I've been learning from youtube tutorials. I've just done a search for the specific task (cast-on ribbing, knitting increase ,etc) and several short vids appear. I learn more easily watching something done rather than reading steps. It's still nice to have an actual person nearby who can help you correct mistakes, though.
Good Luck with the project

[feminist~mama]

I learned from Stitch 'n Bitch along with videos from knittinghelp.com. I don't feel like there's anything I can't make- I've been knitting almost 3 years. I've made sweaters and socks and hats and toys... A toy I made (an original design) won a blue ribbon in the county fair!

[taymakcoop]

I used knittinghelp.com and I bought the american knitter learn to knit dvd--the basics one. Both of those were invaluable!

[ma2maya]

I got a couple of books from the library. I also poked around the interwebs a bit looking for tutorials. Though I have done more things with crocheting than I have with knitting. I am still stuck in the knit a simple scarf stage lol!

[rootzdawta]

Moved from Arts and Crafts to Yarn Crafts subforum.

[MittensKittens]

Have a look at this. It has some good descriptions that might actually help. And I second YouTube!

[coryy]

I did a lot of knittinghelp.com videos, and a few nights over coffee with a knitting friend. I've taught about 6 people how to knit while we wait for our kids to finish karate!!!! Our local library has "sit and knit, stay and crochet" nights where they teach people how to knit or solve knitting mistakes, and sometimes have a knit fest with a small project for $8 or so that includes yarn, needles, and a lesson. Plus your local yarn store will have plenty of willing helpers and classes for you to check out.

[Aeress]

Well, I think it depends on the kind of learner you are-
Do diagrams and written directions work for you?
Do you like to see things demonstrated?
Can you figure things out with just words?
Are you willing to keep trying until you get it?

For me, having someone to offer help/advice was invaluable and honestly very reasonable. My first lesson was 10.00 and she would work with me for as long as it took to get it. She also offered to let me come back if I needed help- for free.

From there, I learned from videos,reading and practicing.

[Salihah]

I think 1:1 is the best way, you can ask questions and get answers right away, address what you don't understand immediately. But learning from videos is nice because then you can go at your own pace and when/where you want to learn.

The benefit of having someone teach you in person is that they can cast on for you and knit a few rows of a swatch and THEN hand it to you to try learning the knit stitch. It's easier to learn when you already have some stitches on the needles and can just focus on that one simple stitch, knit, and then purl. But it looks like lots of people have been learning from videos without having that benefit! wow! So you could just go for it, too, and dive in to some videos. Start with the cast-on, then learn to knit, then purl. I also really recommend the knittinghelp.com videos. I think Continental (the pink icon on knittinghelp.com) style is the easiest to learn, but really it is just personal preference for knitters. In the end, knowing how to do both Continental and English knitting is helpful.

I'd start with a size 8 needle or so and a worsted or aran weight yarn.

Have fun! Let us know how it goes!

[Ellien C]

I agree that it depends on what kind of learner you are. I do well with books and diagrams with written directions. I have hard time following straight visuals but it helps me to have written directions (insert right needled onto first stitch on left needle from front to back...). I find that people and videos just go too fast.

[cristeen]

I learned entirely from knittinghelp.com videos. I sat down in front of my puter with my needles and yarn and within 30 minutes was knitting. I like the videos because they're short and sweet, they show exactly what I need to see, and I don't have to worry about irritating someone if I have to see it 20 times before it makes sense. Oh, and at 2 am when I can't sleep and I want to knit - I can just pull up the video and not worry about waking anyone up.

[Ceinwen]

I learned from online videos and books. More detailed/intricate stitches, etc. I needed in person help... Which has been hard to find!

[Artichokie]

I learned from friends. If you don't have friends who knit, I really recommend a class at a lys. While you can learn to knit using youtube and knittinghelp.com, i think having an actual person sit down with me helped me to better understand the way stitches form, how to fix mistake, how it improvise rather than frog in order to fix minor errors, and how to adjust patterns for my own needs.

[hollytheteacher]

I am going to attempt to try knittinghelp.com again...I was able to cast on pretty quickly but kept getting mixed up with the knitting part...off to try again!!!

[olliepop]

I learned using this Learn to Knit DVD series. I was able to get them from the library. My first project was a dishcloth in the first DVD and my latest (and biggest) project is a turtleneck shrug. I've also made tons of hats, mittens, scarves, baby blankets, and a cute cupcake hat. I've been knitting for about three years now.

[Jenn_M]

Originally Posted by cristeen

I learned entirely from knittinghelp.com videos. I sat down in front of my puter with my needles and yarn and within 30 minutes was knitting. I like the videos because they're short and sweet, they show exactly what I need to see, and I don't have to worry about irritating someone if I have to see it 20 times before it makes sense. Oh, and at 2 am when I can't sleep and I want to knit - I can just pull up the video and not worry about waking anyone up.

Ditto all this!

Good luck!!

[momo7]

I just learned to knit myself. I actually found my teacher at Hobby Lobby. At the very front of the store (right when you walk in) there is usually a listing of classes that are offered there. So I signed up. Books do not help me at all, I really need to see it worked in real time.

In my opinion, the best site on line is here: http://knittingtipsbyjudy.com/

This lady is great and I have actually bought a couple of her DVD's. But her website is loaded with free videos. She has all sorts of cool tips and techniques. Check it out and see what you think.

[Love Wins]

It gives me so much hope to hear from others who have figured this out by watching videos/tutorials. Crocheting came so easy to me, but knitting, well.....it's definitely building my patience!

[ScarletBegonias]

i just started knitting, and i "taught" myself from a book and online tutorials. that said, i was stuck for months on projects that interchange between knitting and purling in the same row. why? because none of my books said you have to switch your working yarn from front to back and vice-versa when knitting/purling the same row.

or that i was yarning-over opposite of how i should have been.

sometimes the angle of the camera in online video obscures the view, and you can't see *exactly* what the teacher is doing.

it's the simple things like that that seem so obvious, but when you're a noob, one-on-one help is invaluable.

i'm actually going to pay to take a 3-class beginner knitter series at the local yarn shop in april. it's $40, but for me personally, i learn best when someone shows me, watches me do it, and corrects me; and then if i have a written tutorial to refer to later. i sometimes will take written words too literally when i'm learning something new (Amelia Bedelia-style), so having that human element is crucial for me.