Who is learning to knit soakers?

[Sandra Dee]

I have three skeins of wool here - no knitting needles - nor any idea how to begin

I had to get the wool - the coupon was going to expire

So - now what do I do with it?

I *really* really really want to learn how - and we have a long road trip coming up and I will have lots of time to knit!

Should I learn basic stitches (or whatever they're called) before I start with a pattern?

THANKS!

P.S. - this goes in diapering, right? since it isn't sewing?

[Carolinamidwife]

You might want to put this down in sewing and crafts too.

Do you know how to knit at all? If not I don't see how you could start a pattern, lol!

There are some learning to knit kits at Michael's that come with needles and good directions about casting on and basic stitches. It really helps if you know someone IRL who can sit with you and show you a few things.

What kind of soaker pattern do you have?

Amy

[sm3247]

You're not alone. I just bought the LTK pattern and some yarn and realized that

A. I don't have any knitting needles
B. I don't know how to knit.

this should be interesting.

[jen and her girls]

I'm in the same boat

I *thought* I knew how to knit until I bought the LTK pattern. Now I have the pattern, the needles, a whole bag full of wool, and no clue.

I went out and bought a basic knitting manual so I could reteach myself. This could be a much more involved process that I had imagined.

[panda]

I bet the library would have some books with basic knitting instructions. Since you'll only need the book when you're starting out, that might be a good option. About.com has a pretty good knitting section with some free patterns. I haven't looked at their beginning stuff, but you could check that, too.

I'd say it depends on your personality, whether you should practice first or just jump in and do a pattern. I'm the type who'd rather make a "real" project right away and have it be full of mistakes and craziness, rather than making practice pieces.

Choose your pattern before you buy needles, since they come in lots of different sizes and each pattern calls for a specific size and type (circular or regular). I don't know the LTK pattern, and I've never knit in the round - if you're doing that you'll need circular needles (two needles connected by a cord).

You'll need to know how to cast on (this is not hard), how to make basic knit stitches. Other things you may or may not need to learn depending on the pattern you choose: purl stitches (a backward knit stitch), how to increase and decrease. Eventually you'll have to figure out how to bind off, too, but by that time, you're almost done!

Have fun, and let us know how it's going. What kind of wool did you get? I have 3 skeins at home from a long-ago project I've never finished, but it feels a little scratchy. I'm wondering if it will be okay, or if I can find something softer for soakers. I've never knit one. My babe's not due until Nov., but I've sewn one, and I love the way they look.

[Maribel]

Check out this site. Has some good instructions. http://www.wonderful-things.com/newknit.htm

You may want to go to your local yarn shop. Usually, if you buy some yarn or a pattern from them, they'll teach you how to knit. Some of them hold classes....that's how I learned. Another yarn shop I know just has open sessions all day on Saturday where you just drop in with a project and they have people readily available to show you techniques or help decifer instruction as they can be confusing.

I'm dying to get the LTK patterns....those of you who have it will have to let us know how your soaker comes out....post some pics.

[mnnice]

I am working on a LTK soaker right now. It is just my second project, I made a scarf for dh. I have tons of mistakes, but am just going to live with them.

[Mattia]

This is what I did. I bought a bunch of needles(in assorted sizes); a few "how to" books; some cheap yarn; and taught myself the basics. I made practice swatches of different fabrics you can make with the knit and purl stitches; until eventually they looked almost perfect, and my stitches looked consistant. THEN I picked an easy starter project, so I could get familiar with following a pattern.

Now I'm pretty consistant with the basics, and have completed about 75% of my first project successfully. I'm just starting to look at the 4 soaker patterns I ordered last month, and taking notice of the techniques I still need to learn before beginning.

I give credit to anyone who can learn to knit, and do a soaker right away! I'm pretty anal, and there was no way I was going to start such a big project before I was sure I could complete it without wasting a lot of wool yarn and time. Now that I'm more confident, I imagine I'll try one of the soaker patterns soon. I went out and bought some gorgeous wool yarn a few weeks ago that I'm dying to work with.

BTW... you should look for a local yarn shoppe! I found a shoppe a few blocks from home, and plan to take a weekly class there starting in September, since my husband and baby are welcome to join me. I also joined a knitting guild, and hope to start attending weekly meetings soon. I hope to learn a lot from fellow knitters in my area!