xiane / Learn how to knit! (Reply)

A bunch of people have asked me for info on how I learned to knit [looks at

wanderyng1 in particular], so I decided to post all the really helpful links I've found. With this, a ball of yarn, and a pair of knitting needles, you can get started in like two seconds. :D

First place you want to go is here: http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/
The instructions are really clear and the drawings REALLY helped me. Start with Casting On, and knit yourself a chain of stitches. I started with about 40; you might want to just make a small swatch, so maybe less. The great thing about knitting is if you make mistakes or want to just practice, you can just pull all your stitches out and start over.
After you've cast on enough, move to knit stitch, then purl. If purling confounds you at first, you're in good company. I haven't even made something using purl stitch yet, because I started with the wrong sort of yarn for a beginner.

A note about that: get yourself a SMOOTH yarn to start! Trust me on this one - a homespun looks gorgeous but is a BITCH to work with at first. Also, since one of the wonderful benefits of knitting is the soothing feeling of the needles and yarn sliding through your hands - trust me, it's really relaxing, once you've got it down - I recommend buying the nicest smooth yarn and needles you can. I started on a thick wool-blend and bamboo needles and I really appreciated how they felt in my hands. Remember, if you decide you hate knitting, there are plenty of hipster-types who will want to buy your stuff from you. ;)

Here's another how-to-knit page: http://www.learntoknit.com/instructions_kn.php3
If you're curious, I knit Continental style. That means I hold the yarn with my left hand. If you want to see how this works, here's a picture explanation: http://glampyreknits.tripod.com/glampyrephotos/id49.html

I recommend the ubiquitous scarf as your first project, as SOMEONE you know will need one, and it is a simple project that you can finish quickly, so you can bask in your feeling of accomplishment.
If you want some other places to find patterns, here are some of the links I've amassed:

http://www.learntoknit.com/project_ideas.php3
http://www.knitty.com/ [excellent, cool patterns that you have no hope of doing as a beginner, hehee.]
http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PG=acc&PT=k
http://helloyarn.com/miniskulltote.htm
http://knitting.about.com/blpattern.htm
http://glampyreknits.tripod.com/glampyrephotos/id18.html
http://www.domiknitrix.com/knittingpatterns/index.cfm
http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/free_patterns/
http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/kpatt10.htm
http://www.knittingknonsense.com/skullcrossbones.html
http://wendyknits.net/knit/mousepat.htm
http://freeknittingpatterns.blogspot.com/
http://www.dailyknitter.com/
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/index.php
http://www.knitkit.com/SpecialCompanion.htm
http://wendyknits.net/wendy/knitting.htm

And finally, an online 'zine for knitters: http://www.spunmag.com/

Questions? Comments? Links to add? Hit me up, baby!