<p>And I don’t mean John Does band.
I am inspired to relearn how to knit, to have something to do over winter break after skiing.
I haven’t knit anything for years, although oldest taught herself & is quite accomplished.
I’m planning on knitting an afghan to start, the kind that is made up of squares sewn together.
But it’s taking me so long just to wind the yarn into balls!
Any and all tips for beginners appreciated.</p>
<p>Um…the new yarns do not have to be wound into balls…unless you are getting some kind of yarn that isn’t in those nice skeins.</p>
<p>There are HUNDREDS of YouTube videos on how to learn to knit. Try there.</p>
<p>If you’re a visual learner and need review of techniques, I would recommend <a href=“http://verypink.com”>http://verypink.com</a>. This site has a bunch of short video tutorials for a wide variety of knitting techniques. Look at the left column on the home page, scroll down to “Knitting Help Videos”. Click on that button to see the complete list of videos. </p>
<p>If you want a source of patterns, information on yarns, and a huge community of knitters, check out Ravelry. It is an amazing resource for anything fiber related. Fair warning - it is also quite addictive. </p>
<p>Have fun with your project!</p>
<p>Um…the new yarns do not have to be wound into balls…unless you are getting some kind of yarn that isn’t in those nice skeins.</p>
<p>really?
Thanks!
;)</p>
<p>I bought lions head yarn cause it was on sale, but even though it is acrylic, it seems pretty nice.</p>
<p>You may be setting yourself up for a frustrating first project. If all of your squares are not exactly the same size when you sew them up it will want to go all wonky on you. I would suggest starting with a smaller project, such as a scarf. Hone your skills a little before you go big. Also check out a local yarn shop. They are usually very supportive and helpful and also have classes where everyone knits along on the same project. Good luck!</p>
<p>Agreed…do a scarf first…not an afghan!</p>
<p>Oh gosh yes, do a scarf first! And if you do want to knit an afghan, just knit it whole. Don’t sew squares together. Making squares and sewing them together is sensible when crocheting, but not when knitting.</p>
<p>I would also suggest heading to a local yarn store, and buying enough nice wool to make a scarf-- probably a ball or two would do it. If by chance the wool you select is in skeins, which you can’t knit from, rather than a ball or hank that you can knit from, they will ball it for you for free and quickly using the ballwinder which is no doubt set up on a shelf there. You’re going to be spending time on your first project, and wool feels better to knit, is easier to knit, and looks better if you have to unknit and knit again, which you will. There are a lot of fun novelty yarns, but for a first project, I suggest a wool worsted.</p>
<p>Very likely the people at the store have free beginners classes. It only takes a few minutes to learn enough to make a scarf-- I could teach you in ten minutes.</p>
<p>Or you could make a hat. [Pattern</a> for easy hat, knitted flat.](<a href=“http://crafts.creativebug.com/knit-hat-straight-needles-1195.html]Pattern”>Knitting - Creativebug)</p>