This has been one wild year! Many people have found that knitting is a great way to relieve stress and create beauty in the midst of uncertainty.
So let's dive in . . .
So let's dive in . . .
Your kit
Your knitting kit contains:
- a pair of size 8 knitting needles
- a ball of worsted weight yarn or a skein of yarn
- a short instruction booklet
- a printed list of resources (including my email to ask a question or pop in for a knitting meet up in person or online)
Your knitting kit contains:
- a pair of size 8 knitting needles
- a ball of worsted weight yarn or a skein of yarn
- a short instruction booklet
- a printed list of resources (including my email to ask a question or pop in for a knitting meet up in person or online)
Learn to Knit
There are MANY wonderful online and print resources that will teach you how to knit. You may need to look at a few before things click. Most importantly, you are always welcome to contact me for help at: [email protected]
There are MANY wonderful online and print resources that will teach you how to knit. You may need to look at a few before things click. Most importantly, you are always welcome to contact me for help at: [email protected]
Skein or Ball???? How do I Run this Thing?
In your bag - you either have a ball of yarn that is easily accessible (but MAY roll off the table!) OR you will have a skein of yarn. The skein is accessed by pulling the yarn from the center of the skein - do not pull the yarn from the outside! Here is a link to a video that will show you the easiest way to pull yarn from the skein.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k37i2TuBgI
In your bag - you either have a ball of yarn that is easily accessible (but MAY roll off the table!) OR you will have a skein of yarn. The skein is accessed by pulling the yarn from the center of the skein - do not pull the yarn from the outside! Here is a link to a video that will show you the easiest way to pull yarn from the skein.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k37i2TuBgI
Online Resources
If you are like me - I learn by seeing and imitating. This is a great video that shows the knitting basics. Remember there are only TWO stitches in knitting - the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Once you have mastered them, you can do anything. That said - you WILL make mistakes and there will be holes . . . laugh, take a sip of coffee and keep going:)
If you are like me - I learn by seeing and imitating. This is a great video that shows the knitting basics. Remember there are only TWO stitches in knitting - the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Once you have mastered them, you can do anything. That said - you WILL make mistakes and there will be holes . . . laugh, take a sip of coffee and keep going:)
Below is a link to a really good website that will show you how to CAST ON and how to KNIT your first stitches. The site contains videos and step-by-step instructions with pictures.
sheepandstitch.com/how-to-knit/
sheepandstitch.com/how-to-knit/
Casting on: 0:28
Starting to knit: 6:16 Ending a row: 13:21 |
Once you have mastered the knit stitch - try a scarf.
It will allow you to get lots of great practice and master gauge. |
Ravelry
Ravelry is an online database and coffee shop for knitters. It allows you to be inspired by other peoples' stunning projects and has thousands of free patterns. It is a wonderful place to explore the knitting universe. I strongly urge you to set up a free account and start exploring.
www.ravelry.com/
Ravelry is an online database and coffee shop for knitters. It allows you to be inspired by other peoples' stunning projects and has thousands of free patterns. It is a wonderful place to explore the knitting universe. I strongly urge you to set up a free account and start exploring.
www.ravelry.com/
Print Resources
The Knitting Experience: Book 1 by Sally Melville - This book contains very clear instructions and amazing clear photos that show how to hold you hands while you knit.
Stitch N' Bitch by Debbie Stoller - This is a fun, funky beginner's guide to knitting. It has some cool projects and contains great information about the tools and background of knitting. It also gives the history of the knitting movement and the popularity of Stitch n' Bitch knitting groups.
Look at your local public library - they will have these books and many more!
The Knitting Experience: Book 1 by Sally Melville - This book contains very clear instructions and amazing clear photos that show how to hold you hands while you knit.
Stitch N' Bitch by Debbie Stoller - This is a fun, funky beginner's guide to knitting. It has some cool projects and contains great information about the tools and background of knitting. It also gives the history of the knitting movement and the popularity of Stitch n' Bitch knitting groups.
Look at your local public library - they will have these books and many more!