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Where do I start???  

post #1 of 11
6/19/08 at 5:53am
Thread Starter 
Hi talented and crafted ladies, I want to be like you ...but I dunno where to start!

I'd really like to learn how to knit so hopefully by the time I have a baby, I can knit some sweaters, soakers, toys...or at least a cute little hat!
My grandmother did teach me to knit years ago when I was a kid, but I forgot and even then it was only a scarf. I need to start from scratch again.

What exactly should I get to start learning? Any tips?
post #2 of 11
6/19/08 at 8:27am
I was like you when I started knitting more, I'd been taught as a kid and forgot. I used simple patterns for soakers (I was pregnant) and www.knittinghelp.com Awesome website.
post #3 of 11
6/19/08 at 8:36am


I learned completely from knittinghelp.com. Then I bought the Little Turtle Knits Picky Pants Pattern and that was my first real project. I've now been knitting for over 2 years and I love it!
post #4 of 11
6/19/08 at 3:46pm
If you have a Yarn store near you- go there. They will almost curely have a group you can knit with at no charge. One of the groups I moderate is all young moms with kids- gets a little nuts sometimes but as a 3 time grandma who has been knitting for 40 years, I love passing along the craft.
post #5 of 11
6/20/08 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks so much for all the great info- I just checked out knittinghelp and it looks great- hopefully I'll be getting started really soon! I am excited...

I live in Asia and unfortunately I have never seen a knitting store in my city like the one they have at home- so I'll be ordering yarn and needles online or asking my mom to send them to me. What needles (are there specific sizes and kinds...?) and yarn (safe and soft for baby) should I order?

Thanks again!
post #6 of 11
6/20/08 at 8:14pm
i would start by getting size 6 needles cotton yarn and making a basic garter stitch or stocknet stitch washcloth! and knitting help will teach you all you need to know!
post #7 of 11
6/20/08 at 9:12pm
I would do the following

a- go to www.knittinghelp.com and drink in the wisdom

b- go to www.ravelry.com and get on the waiting list (trust me....)

c - start with wool or a wool blend, smooth, worsted weight, on size 8's (I personally would stay away form cotton for a while, as it is a lot tougher on your hands and isn't very forgiving. Wool or god forbid, even acrylic will give more and look nicer the first time around)

d - just knit garter stitch, but don't try to do a scarf or something terminal like that, you might get so bored you never finish, and that wouldn't help the knitting mojo. My first project was the bib on knitting help, and then a simple rectangle folded and sewn up the sides as a little purse for my son.

You could even do a sampler, trying different stitch patterns as you progress. This doesn't have to be a project you ever complete, it could be a guest knitting project for when people come over and sit in awe of your magical abilities with two sticks and some string and want to be just like you.. Stick the sampler in a basket with some needles and little balls of wool and no one will be able to resist.


Welcome to the dark, ahem, I mean wooly side;.....
post #8 of 11
6/20/08 at 9:42pm
The key to knitting is to get the most bang for your buck so you aren't intimidated and bored. So something simple and short. I am going to be teaching a friend of mine how to knit this weekend and we are going to do this http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/...lorimetry.html.
post #9 of 11
6/21/08 at 7:11am
Thread Starter 
:
thanks again for the great tips-

I am going to order some needles and yarn right away as an early birthday present to myself~
Lyttlewon I LOVED that hairband you are knitting this weekend- I think I will try to tackle that once I get some practice in on some washcloths or a bib like BellaBabe suggested.

In the meantime I'll be : around here for more info from you wise ones, and checking out knittinghelp.com and I signed up for ravelry.com too!

post #10 of 11
6/21/08 at 12:34pm
I love Calorimetry! I have made a few and wear them a lot in the winter. Unless you have a big ol noggin, I would size it down a bit though, I only cast on something like 80 stitches for mine, and it worked great.
post #11 of 11
6/23/08 at 4:01am
Thread Starter 
RAVELRY.COM IS GREAT!

I finally got all signed up and I have been exploring the site for the last hour and I have saved about a million patterns of things that I want to make.There are sooo many patterns for sweet and adorable baby things! I can't wait 'till my yarn and needles arrive in the mail so I can get started!!!
I am finishing work in January so if ( I get pregnant soon I'll have a couple of months to really get knitting before baby comes. Until then I have to practice, practice, practice.

I never thought I would be so interested in knitting or sewing- I've always been artsy, but so much of a tomboy. Now that we are TTC and I have babies on the brain, knitting seems like it will be such a great way to spend all of my anxious waiting-for-baby energy!

Thanks so much (again) everyone!:
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