Anyone into knitting?
7So, I decided that I wanted to teach myself how to knit. Come to find out, it is a little harder than expected. Does anyone have any helpful hints? I have two sets of needles and a small loom. I know a ton of you are into crafts, hopefully I can learn from all you experts.
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I cannot, however - I know 3 people who each taught themselves to crochet (I know they're different) but watching youtube tutorials. Maybe that's a good place to start?
@Thumperchick I have been watching the youtube videos and for some reason I am just not getting it. I must be missing something.
@conandlibrarian Bummer! Do you have a local yarn shop? We have 2 in town and both usually have a group of friendly lil old ladies working on projects who love to share their knowledge - maybe you can get a better idea of what you're missing by finding an in person helper?
@Thumperchick The only yarn shop we had in town closed 2 years ago. I have been searching online to see if there is any knitting classes at our community center. I do feel a little weird being a 30-something year old guy going to one of these things, but I do want to learn.
@conandlibrarian Also look at your community college and parks department, both in my town have either classes or resources for groups.
@jaremelz I actually work at a community college, and we offer nothing. Years ago we offered quilting, that would of been fun.
@conandlibrarian Don't feel bad or odd about wanting to learn to knit. My son started knitting when he was in his mid-20's, did well enough to make a throw for his couch and a sweater. Are you near a Joannes, Hobby Lobby, or Michael's? Even if they're out of the way or too far for frequent trips, you can learn the basics in just a couple of hours; after that, you may find the youtube vidclips make more sense to you. Some grocery stores have bulletin boards for customer use: perhaps offer to pay someone for a few starter lessons?
I had a friend help me once by skype. It worked out well. Local yarn shops, or even a big box craft store like Michael's, have classes. Where are you getting stuck? What are you knitting?
@jennifern I have a Michael's about 15 minutes from me. I should check there! Right now I am just trying to understand the concept, so I am trying to knit just a square.
@conandlibrarian I've definitely seen Michael's offer knitting classes before. Check them out for sure.
@hollboll I just checked out michaels.com and it looks like there is a crochet class coming up for $25.00. I want to hold out for a knitting class, but I heard that some find crochet easier.
@conandlibrarian Aw nice, that'll be cool! TBH I'm sure you can learn some basic knitting stuff to get you started from Youtube or us. I had a really hard time trying to learn crochet online, I think that'd be a better "in person" one. :)
I am the resident knitter here, I think. And spinner. There are some great resources out there depending on how you tend to learn. I am pretty sleepy right now, but I will give you a list tomorrow of some great resources, depending on your style.
YouTube is a gem. I will tell you to do what my mother made me do when she taught me. Knit, back and forth, every row. Casting on can be the biggest struggle for most new knitters. Once you make, say, half a scarf, rip it the hell out. Start again. It's good to get used to ripping out.
If you tell me specifically what you're having trouble with, and what YouTube is lacking in terms of what you want to see, perhaps I can make a video of it and post.
@jaremelz I am using a size 7 needle as I wanted to try with a needle that felt substantial. I am getting the casting on (I am probably mixing up all of my terms), it is making the actual stitch (i.e. moving to the other needle) that I am having trouble with. I can actually make really cool designs on one needle, I just can't do anything with it.
@conandlibrarian I wish I could see how you are holding your hands and the yarn. There could be something there that's tripping you up. Tension (not how you're feeling, how you're holding the yarn ) will greatly play into how easily you are making those knit stitches. I will try to make a short video later.
@jaremelz you are awesome! Thanks!
@conandlibrarian Let's see if I can be remotely helpful before you declare that, hehe. I just love helping anyone new into the knitting world.
Also, what they have already said about local shops. They are a goldmine. Michael's has a simple booklet titled, stupidly, "I can't believe I'm knitting". It really was my best resource, and so simple.
@jaremelz I will have to see if I can find that book!
Oh my goodness, I'm going to be such a pest in this thread!
I also suggest that you use a decent sized needle and yarn. Nothing smaller than worsted weight, and a size 7 needle at least. And use light colored yarn that you can see well.
My daughter is a beast at single-needle knitting. She's the Leroy Brown of Chrochet.
I'd love for her to learn quilting.
@wickhameh I'd love to learn how to do that!
@DrunkCat That would be amazing if I could actually make a yoshi!
@conandlibrarian It's an amazing game. There's no difficulty but visually it's candy.
@DrunkCat If you liked that, and you have a Wii, you definitely want to get Kirby's Epic Yarn.
I learned to knit when I was about 10. I picked it up a lot easier than crocheting. Once you get a few stitches down it'll come super easily.
As @jaremelz mentioned, youtube is awesome for helping. I was making a blanket for @dalek back in college and forgot how to finish it. Pulled it up on youtube and finished like a champ.
Let us know how it goes @conandlibrarian!
@hollboll I was thinking of you specifically when I asked this as I know you are pretty good with this stuff. I am having a tough time making the actual stitch (I think that is the right term) and switching to the other needle. I bought a big bag of yarn on the Close5 app for $2, so at least I have plenty to practice with.
@conandlibrarian You will use two stitches at first, knit and purl. Knit stitches are what you are trying to do, going in from the front of the little loop on the left needle, snaggin the yarn in your left hand and pulling it through. Once you've pulled it through, you've naturally created a new loop on the right needle. We won't get into purl until you've done the knit stitch about 309 times :)
@conandlibrarian maybe you can send us a video so we can see what you mean? Glad you have lots of yarn, I made that mistake a few times. I'll have to check out that site!
@jaremelz, I pretty much only exclusively use Knit and purl. I'd like to learn more but haven't been that adventurous yet.
@hollboll My mom is a lace knitter to an extreme degree, it blows me away. I am a huge fan of using dropped and twisted stitches. Dropped stitches feel soooo wrong, but look so cool.
@hollboll I was thinking that I will make a quick video so you can all tell me what I am doing wrong. trust me, I need to hear it!
@jaremelz Oh man, that would make so nervous! Is this what you mean?
@hollboll Yes, that's it! I have a wrap I made that's about 7ft long with almost all dropped stitches. I love it!
@jaremelz That's crazy! It looks super cool but it would feel so wrong dropping a stitch like that!
@hollboll Its interesting you thought crochet was harder; I am the opposite and like crocheting better. I think I hold the two needles too tightly or something when I knit, more frustrating or something.
I think I've made one scarf ever but I make a ton of hats. I think its because I taught myself to crochet by working on amigurumi and I've decided that crochet in the round is the shit.
@metageist I think often it depends on which one you learned first. I learned knitting first, and cannot crochet! It drives me crazy that I can do all these other things and not crochet. I can handle the stitches just fine, but lose track of everything. But I've been meaning to try again, because it would be quicker for a project I'm working on. Maybe today I'll try. Mom suggested i just add a marker to my first row stitch until i can get the hang of it. It's just all so foreign to me.
@jaremelz I agree, a stitch marker really helps. I'm kind of OCD so I like to count, and then re-count, and then tear it out when I think the stitches don't look even enough :)
@metageist For some reason, my issue is that I can't see the dang crochet stitches. It's like I'm blind to them! Never had a problem with the knit ones, no matter how nuts the pattern.
@jaremelz If you have the patience for it, try the same pattern several times with simple yarns. In the beginning I had more trouble because I was going for that fancy ass (i.e. expensive and colorful) natural wool yarn, which is all uneven and really difficult to see your stitches.
That said, I have the same problem as you with knitting. I get frustrated because I don't understand the stitches, so I just give up and go back to crochet lol
@metageist I have tried everything, except for marking the stitch until I get used to it. Perhaps it's just the simple solutions that work best.
@metageist yeah, I'm not sure why I had a more difficult time with that. Maybe I overthought it or something? I felt like I needed to pay more attention to what I was doing, where with knitting it comes so naturally that I can knit and watch TV at the same time.
I thinke @jaremelz may be right. I learned knitting when I was about 10 and didn't really try crocheting until I was in college.
I don't know how to knit for real, but those looms are really fun and easy.
@sammydog01 I am messing with a loom right now. I am actually making progress with it, although I have no idea how I would finish the final product.
@conandlibrarian youtube will show you how to finish the scarf. Because that's what you can make- lots of scarves. Or a blanket if you have one of the twisty ones, but scarves are more fun.
@sammydog01 Couldn't you just make like fifteen scarves, and glue them together, and make a blanket that way? No twistamajig required!
@brhfl Absolutely, although I would suggest sewing rather than glue. :)
@sammydog01 I had a few minutes last night so I decided to start a scarf on my little loom. I am actually pretty happy with how it is turning out! I will take a picture of it after I go take my math test :/
My wife knits a lot. Most local shops run classes every once in a while if you want to learn, and libraries often have knitting groups. Another good option would be a makerspace or even a local makerfaire.
There is a book called something like the the Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting that's pretty helpful.
Might check the boards at local cafes as well… I know a few near me have knitting groups that meet up regularly and are quite friendly.
Thought some of you might enjoy this project:
(already funded)
@dashcloud In a desire to stay inspired and breathe new life into the same old stitches, some folks come up with some very cool stuff!
Anyone into weaving? I'm trying to convince myself that my 4-harness loom isn't wasting space. But its just so much more time consuming than knit or crochet projects.
@metageist There is nothing wrong with having a 4-harness loom just taking up space and gathering dust. I bought one fifteen years ago and have yet to use it, but damn it, it's my loom and I need it. What if society collapses? You think everyone's going to want to wear knitwear all the time? Anyway, my loom sort of folds up, so it's not quite as bulky as a traditional 4-harness. But keep yours forever, even if it doesn't fold up.
@mossygreen Ha! The apocalypse is as good excuse as any for keeping it around.
@metageist Seriously, as long as you have the space and you're not inconveniencing anyone, keep it without guilt. It will be harder to replace than most things if you change your mind later.
@metageist I just looked up what a 4-harness loom was. That thing is pretty neat! Based off of the prices, it looks like it was quite an investment!
If you can't find a local class craftsy.com has really good online classes. It feels like a real one, but with videos that are really detailed and you can watch them whenever you want. They also have forums tied to the class so you can get extra help from the teacher or other people. I've used it to switch to continental knitting (holding yarn in left hand, still working stitches from your left needle to your right) instead of English style.
They have all sorts of other classes too!
@midstarrynight I will check this out. Thanks!
I know I'm late to the party. My grandmother tried to teach me to knit when I was a kid, but it didn't stick tried a few years later with a book / kit I picked up at wally world that plus What I remembered did the trick, but I now crochet more than knit. One thing I have heard it that the metal needs are pretty slick and can lead to the stitches falling off, wood and plastic are better though I don't know which is best. I also like circular needles best even when I didn't have to use them.
@Foxborn I nearly always use circular needles, even when knitting straight.
I will second this! I feel like beginners tend to choose straight, metal needles, and no matter what project I am doing I use circular needles (just get a shorter cord length for smaller projects) -- mostly because the project can get really heavy on straight ones, and with circulars, you only need a few stitches on the needle and the rest can hang where you don't have to support it. Also, when you put it down, you can push your work to the middle where it won't fall off and drop stitches, and you never loose your second needle :D
Personally, I love the bamboo ones, but definitely try out different ones to find what you like!
@midstarrynight I am really in love with my Knit Picks Caspian and my ChaiGoo (sp) needles. And I love the circular ones for all the reasons you mentioned! I just prefer the weight being more centered, as opposed to hanging on the ends of long needles.
@midstarrynight Second the circular knitting needles. Tried "regular" needles and hated them. My MIL suggested circular needles and I haven't looked back.
All this knitting talk made me buy a beginners knitting book that was a lightening deal on Amazon today :)
I've been looking for a crafty hobby for a while and just started needle felting a couple of months ago. Why not give knitting a try too? hahaha
@stardate820926 woo! Let us know how it goes! FYI, the bigger the needle, the easier it is in the beginning. :)
Late to the party as well, but I adore knitting! Everyone's mentioned everything I was going to, with Youtube videos, Craftsy.com, and switching to wood circulars.
Nobody mentioned Ravelry, though! I'd pop on to the boards there and see if there is a knitter's circle near you who would be delighted to help a new knitter. You'd be suprised how many people knit nowadays, and plenty of menfolks do it too.
Obligatory how I got in to knitting story: My grandmother was a heck of a craftswoman. She taught me to sew by hand, embroider, and cross-stitch by the time I was six. We progressed to crochet, which absolutely stymied me. I was then informed if I couldn't manage a crochet hook, then knitting was going to be out of my grasp. Fast-forward 30 some years, and a yarn store opens right down the street from me. I have secretly been yearning to learn to knit fo years, so I go down, and they give me a lesson, and I realize I love it. Knitting is awesome! It's a portable hobby, and you have something nice for you or a loved one at the end of it.
Still can't crochet, though. Lessons and everything, and I just end up staring at the yarn going "Why does it look like a ball of knots?!?!?!"
With all this talk I wanted to share, I found a pretty nice crochet hook set on ebay 22 hooks for about $5 in a zipper case sizes 0.8mm - 6.5mm I like and cheap too!
Loom knitting is super simple
This is what I started with the loom
I was able to get it done fairly quickly, but it is definitely not long enough to be worn as a scarf. I am going to have to buy some additional yarn. I am not sure how to connect the two yarns together, but I am sure it is pretty easy to do.
@conandlibrarian That's when you sew the ends together and call it a cowl!
@jaremelz speaking of cowls, I am wearing the softest, prettiest blue cowl/infinity scarf today! It was finally cold enough to wear it.
@mikibell That makes me so happy!
@conandlibrarian So I finished the scarf today. I have no idea if I finished it off the correct way, I am so afraid it will completely unravel. Turns out it is a bit too short. It is about 5 feet, so it is great for someone who is short.
@conandlibrarian It's a scarf/cravat/tie?
@msklzannie It is a scarf. It is about 9 inches wide. The idea was that the person would fold it in half length wise to wear it. I made in for a friend who is going to Nebraska for Christmas. It is 80% wool so hopefully it will help keep the person warm.
@conandlibrarian Sorry, my weird sense of humor apparently didn't quite translate across the web. It was supposed to be a joking suggestion as to how to describe it to the recipient.
Another resource for "classes" or folks to help might be one of your local churches. Lots of them have a knitting/crochet/needlework group that meets once a week. They're pretty exclusively ladies, but I bet they'd be thrilled to show you how to cast on, make stitches, etc. Sometimes it takes another human right there to help you figure out the basics.
@lpevehou That is the one thing about the knit and crochet community, we absolutely LOVE passing the knowledge on!
hmm let's say you read this thread and are intrigued, what is the next step
asking for a friend
@Lotsofgoats Pick up a set of needles no smaller than a size 7 and a decent weight yarn, what is called worsted weight. Yarn is categorized by what is called weight, but to the new knitter, it can be confusing because we are essentially talking about the thickness of the yarn. A local yarn store is great, but these can be had at any craft store as well. Yarns will be everything from cheap acrylic to high end luxury mohair. Stick with something inexpensive and not too fuzzy or loosely spun. They just add to the headache.
I found it helpful to first do some online research on the terminology of knitting first. The next step is finding either a book or some online resources. Above, folks have mentioned some excellent sites. Craftsy is good, its all online classes. YouTube is your best friend. I used both books and online resources.
Learn to cast on first. Make yourself cast on and rip it out over and over until you really get it down. Then learn just the knit stitch. Same idea, do each new skill over and over, ripping out and starting fresh each time.
And of course, hit us up for help if your friend needs it!
@jaremelz @lotsofgoats Just found the book that helped me learn. I tried the blanket on the cover but kept messing up my stitches
www.amazon.com/Knitting-Special-Left-Handed-Section-Included/dp/B000SFBWP4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1448158440&sr=8-3&keywords=boye+taught+knitting
@Foxborn I just ordered this! for $4.49, it is quite the bargain.
Just had an unusual Idea for people wanting to learn face to face, you can try reaching out to the volunteer department at a retirement community, See if they have any residents that would be interested in helping, as a bonus for everybody it means someone visiting them two, think of all the cool stories too! Just be sure to pitch it as spending time with their residents