Learning to knit where to start?

[Kristin0105]

I want to learn to knit and am wondering what would you start with? I have a friend who is willing to teach me and I figure I could find tutorials on the net. So what would you start with? Would you start out trying to make something? or just practice stitches and not make anything at all?

[Mackenzie]

http://www.knittinghelp.com/
and join ravelry...

[MeepyCat]

I'd start out planning to make something. Do a little bit of practicing stitches and not making anything, but practice the stitches you'll need to make what you want to make, and once you have those comfortably down, start in on your project.

[Mackenzie]

I would start off getting the basic stitches and patterns down; cast on, knit, purl, garter, stockingette and basic rib, and bind off down... That is not to say you can't make something from them... depending on how wide and long you go, you will have some great practice coasters, dishcloths, and scarves

[LaughingHyena]

I just lept in and started knitting a dolls outfit for one of DDs dolls. I figured it was something small that I was likely to actually finish and the doll wouldn't mind if it was a bit wonky

I found the videos here http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn-to-knit helpful.

I did have a basic grasp though, various people tried to get me to knit as a child but I never stuck with it and finished anything. The key for me has definatly been to find something that I actually want or will be able to use at the end.

[Kristin0105]

Cool thanks for the links. I think if I have a project I'd stick with it but I am a perfectionist so if it turns out whonky it's bug me to no end. Something that won't matter as much sounds good. doll blankets or something sounds good.

[cristeen]

I just started with some cotton and practicing the stitches, putting them together in different patterns. I wound up with a nice little dishcloth, looks like a sampler, but perfectly useful.

And I used knittinghelp too, it's a great resource.

[Monkey pants]

YouTube!! I taught my then 8yo daughter to knit with the help of Youtube! The best videos had a black background and you just saw the hands working with explanations. VERY Very helpfull!!

Have fun and good luck!

Handy tip: get just plain yarn, nothing with nubbs or loopy parts because they get all tangly at first and its hard to see your stiches. (i made this mistake)

[JamieCatheryn]

I started with a patch I worked and pulled apart over and over til I got the hang of it (perfectionist here too), then I made a stockinette cap worked flat and sewn up the side. A doll blanket or doll sleeping bag would be a perfect size for a first project and completely simple. Cotton dishcloths are great too for small and simple, but cotton has no stretch so it's hard to work with at first.

[pumpkin]

Dishcloths and scarves can be good starts. My first project was a sweater. I was taking a class though. Most people did a baby sweater. It allowed us to cover calculating guage, casting on, knitting, purling, binding off, and piecing together and finishing.
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