Potential Beginning Knitter Needs Advice

Parent Cafe
1

<p>So I thought it would be fun to take a beginning knitting class this winter - just for something new to try and to keep my hands busy in the evening and off the iPad a bit ;)</p>

<p>I’d like to try and convince my 16 year old D to take the class with me. </p>

<p>Here are some questions I have:

  • I’m a lefty - will it be harder for me to learn or to teach me???
  • D says she will take the class if she can learn how to make infinity scarves (knitted) - is that something that would be reachable for a beginner??
  • What kind of stuff exactly CAN a beginner make? I don’t really know for sure what I want to make, but just like the idea of learning and maybe making some of the cute simple things I see on Pinterest (maybe more stuff for the home than for me personally - don’t plan on learning how to knit a sweater!!!)
  • what else should I look for or consider in making this decision? How many classes should I be looking at taking to get some basic knowledge???</p>

<p>I know there must be some serious, fun knitting friends here on CC!!! :)</p>

2

<p>Hi, I have been knitting for about 20 years. I love it as it does keep hands out of the chip bowl and gives me something to do while watching a movie or TV.</p>

<p>As far as I know, re: being left handed—some lefties knit as righties do, and some knit “opposite” as lefties, but according to this blog, that may cause issues down the line with certain stitches [Wise</a> Hilda Knits: Leftie Knitting](<a href=“http://wisehilda.blogspot.com/2012/08/leftie-knitting.html]Wise”>http://wisehilda.blogspot.com/2012/08/leftie-knitting.html) It seems to depend how strong you are with your right hand which will be the best way to learn.</p>

<p>It is definitely possible to make an infinity or Moebius scarf as a beginning project; I googled it and found quite a few videos and patterns specifically for beginners.</p>

<p>Beginner projects might typically be dish cloths, scarves, shawls, blankets, cases for phones or iPads, hats, or even a simple sweater. I just taught my husband to knit a few months ago; he started with a “practice” scarf where he got the hang of things and experimented with a few different stitches, and then moved on to a couple of hats and a Tardis kindle case. Now he is working on a basic sweater. My sons (2 of 3 wanted to learn) have made bookmarks or scarves for the cat. :-)</p>

<p>As to how many classes—I’m not sure, as I have never taken one. I learned mostly from books. Now with the internet, you can find tons of videos showing you every stitch and technique under the sun. Do you have a local yarn store (LYS)? Often the people who work there are more than willing to sit with you if you have a question or can’t figure something out. I can say that both my kids (9 and 12 at the time) were off and doing basic knitting within an hour; they still need help casting on and binding off, and it took a separate lesson for them to get the hang of purling. My husband was similarly quick.</p>

<p>This isn’t to say they were perfect—there were lots of dropped stitches and added stitches and other mistakes. But they grasped the basic idea pretty quickly. </p>

<p>Another thing I’ll add—people knit in a hundred different ways. They way they hold the needles, or wrap the yarn or complete the stitch…I knit in a completely goofy, odd looking way, and even though I taught 3 people, they all look different from me doing it. You find your own comfortable way that works for you. As long as the fabric comes out looking correct, who cares how you get there. My MIL started knitting about 5 years ago and when she sees me or my DH knit she says every time, “It would be so much easier if you did it this way”, but after 20 years I am very comfortable and see no reason to change what works.</p>

3

<p>As a long-time knitter, I say “Good for you”! Keep it simple, don’t start with anything too ambitious, and realize that your first project should be something that doesn’t use expensive yarns, because you are just learning. I teach 2nd graders, girls and boys, to knit in an afterschool enrichment program, and if they can succeed, so can you. I have had lefties and have taught them to do the knit stitch, but have not been able to get a way of helping them do the purl stitch. I have inquired for them at several local knitting stores in our area, and the owners pooh-pooh me and tell me that the kids should do it righty. I feel that it is insulting to the kids, and the store owners are trying to take the easy way out. If you can find a lefty knitter to teach you, I think it’s your best bet. My kids start with a simple headband, and work up from there. I would suggest you make something that doesn’t need to fit exactly.</p>

4

<p>an easy way to knit a mobius scarf is to knit a regular scarf, half twist, then sew ends together…I have done the mobius using circular needles and it is a bit of a challenge for a beginner.</p>

5

<p>My mother was a lefty, I’m a righty. She taught me to knit, and for the most part it was fine. When I was older, I was sitting around with a group of knitters one day, knitting and chatting (nothing formal), and one of the women noticed that I was twisting my stitches because I was knitting/purling them backwards! Instead of going into the front of the stitch, like a righty, I went into the back of the stitch, like a lefty, but with my right hand. She showed me how to correct the issue and now I only have the issue when I turn the needles or add another color.</p>

<p>If you do learn how to knit “righty”, find a knitting group perhaps on Craigslist, and see if they have a lefty who can show you how to untwist the stitches.</p>

<p>Your daughter will eventually learn to knit an infinity scarf. Perhaps not as the first lesson, but not too long after that. (She can always knit just a scarf, and then crochet the ends together so that the seam doesn’t show!)</p>

6

<p>Then we have to learn how to crochet too!!! Yikes! :)</p>

<p>I have a neighbor who is an avid knitter - I am not super close with her but I know I could ask her to recommend a local shop/teacher who would be patient and who offers classes. I am a better visual learner at first so I like the initial class concept.</p>

<p>I suppose I could try “righty” first and see what my hands think of it. I do some things right handed. </p>

<p>When I was a little girl, my mom did teach me a little so I do remember a BIT about the basic stitch (whatever it’s called!). I remember her being frustrated teaching me though because I was a lefty. :(</p>

7

<p>I think you’d be better off learning to knit left-handed. If the teacher can’t show you, just bring a mirror to class. And watch Internet videos in the mirror.</p>

<p>If you’re knitting something small to start with, I suggest using some gorgeous yarn you love (provided it’s not a difficult novelty yarn). A lovely 100% wool yarn will cost more, but so what? You’re knitting for enjoyment and it’ll just be one or two balls. No sense slogging along with some cheap ugly synthetic and hating every stitch.</p>

<p>Knitting an infinity scarf sideways on a circ is dead easy. I could teach you to do it in ten minutes.</p>

8

<p>Abasket, I love to knit and spin as well. I’m a sock knitter and have knit somewhere around 50 pairs. I did not start knitting until, what, maybe around 15 years ago? A typical progression is scarves (flat – initially you might enjoy working with bigger needles, too), hats (knitting in the round), and then a more challenging project. I like socks because I get in a lot of knitting off one hank of yarn, and the socks are very comfortable!</p>

9

<p>Knitting is so cool - you can do really complicated things only knowing how to knit and purl. It’s something I’ve always wanted to go back to. I knit European style which has advantages and disadvantages. (You move needle instead of yarn to make stitches basically.) You can definitely make the tam from Knitting without Tears as a total beginner. Scarves are easy, but the nice thing about hats is that they are small.</p>

10

<p>Deborah T, aren’t knitted socks heavy to wear - do you wear them with shoes?? (I’m a lightweight sock kinda girl :slight_smile: ) I see pics of them on Pinterest though and they are darling. Maybe I can knit them and just hang them around the house…</p>

11

<p>Yeah, they’re thick, at least the ones I knit. :)</p>

<p>Here’s some yarn I love:
[Mountain</a> Colors Bearfoot Sock Yarn Paradise Fibers](<a href=“http://www.paradisefibers.com/mountain-colors-bearfoot-sock-yarn-400-yard-skein.html]Mountain”>http://www.paradisefibers.com/mountain-colors-bearfoot-sock-yarn-400-yard-skein.html)</p>

12

<p>That’s beautiful…I am a sucker for “color” so I know I’d have a field day in a yarn shop…</p>

13

<p>I taught myself how to knit in my 20s. I didn’t start with a scarf, I went right into a sweater for H. I even made some Irish cable sweaters. I found the ability to count was very important, make sure you don’t pull the yarn too tight, especially around the neck and sleeves. I used to have a dream of owning a yarn shop.</p>

14

<p>I learned from a friend, have since taught other friends, but was on call when they dropped stitches for rescue work. Do not knit socks unless they are are just for bed or reinforced wool with nylon. Others, if worn for any amount of walking, will get holes too quickly, and that will really make you crabby. I don’t know about left and right. I developed my own way which seemed more efficient, and someone told me that was the German way. It does keep the hands busy. Wool yarn with heavy lanolin content is the best thing for winter time knitting, keeps the hands so lubricated, will hardly need lotion. I dislike sewing things together, so I tend to do blankets and scarves, though I have done sweaters. It is so difficult to get the size right. One of my friends knit one for her husband to be and it wound up as the dog bed, looked like it would fit an orangutan! We still laugh about that one. Scarves are the easiest, even the infinity scarves. Have fun!</p>

15

<p>Awww, I’d love to make something cute, colorful and cozy to put a top my dog’s bed top!!!</p>

16

<p>I’ve found that if I knit socks with sock yarn (which is normally part wool, part nylon) they last a good long time, are machine washable, fit better than purchased socks, and are incredibly comfortable at all temperatures. Plus, nowadays yarn stores have incredible stocks of sock yarns.</p>

<p>Handknit socks are thicker than thin cotton socks, but thinner than something like a crew sock. I love handknit socks and wish I had more of them. I wear them every day, all year, unless I don’t have enough pairs. I need to get knitting!</p>

<p>I don’t suggest learning to knit by knitting a sock from standard sock yarn. The small gauge of the yarn and the thin needles makes the process a bit fiddly for a beginner. I’d suggest a scarf or a dishcloth. Starting with a bigger project in a thicker yarn would also be a possibility. My first project was a sweater in Icelandic wool, which is so thick the knitting goes fast.</p>

17

<p>If knitting resembles “sewing” in too many ways, I’m doomed. Hate to sew.</p>

<p>However, if knitting can resemble cross stitch in some ways (following a pattern, etc.) than I might succeed. :)</p>

18

<p>abasket, thanks for a great idea! I’ve been looking for something new to do with my time and this may be it.</p>

19

<p>I’m guessing the initial investment is small if it doesn’t work out - correct, knitters??? How much can some needles and a little yarn cost? Other supplies needed???</p>

20

<p>I too dislike sewing, which is crazy because I make a bunch of sweaters, but once you learn to knit in the round on a circular needle, you can get rid of a lot of the seams. On a few sweaters, the only part I had to seam was an inch or two at the underarms. Sweet!</p>