<p>An easy way to make an infinity scarf for a beginner is to make a wide scarf and then bind then ends together. There you go, easy peasy infinity scarf!</p>
<p>I really liked all of the Debbie Stoller books, and still use them all the time. They are meant to be a bit “edgy” so they might not be for everyone, but they have very good diagrams/illustrations. There is also a set of dvds you can buy on amazon by Elizabeth Zimmerman and they are amazing imo. </p>
<p>And there is always loom knitting too which is great for people with carpral tunnel.</p>
<p>I didn’t teach a left-handed friend to knit a few months ago, but I did tell her where to go to learn. Why didn’t I teach her? Because I knit English style, and if you’re left-handed, continental style is MUCH MUCH easier to learn and about a zillion times faster. </p>
<p>My friend learned by watching YouTube videos of continental knitting. It took her one evening of practice to start her first scarf. </p>
<p>I was taught to knit twice and didn’t particularly care for it either time. (Once was in grade school – maybe as part of Girl Scouts? – and once after I was newly married and I made my husband a scarf.) My dislike turned out to be that I got bored with garter stitch. </p>
<p>Fast forward to a few years ago: a colleague was recruiting knitters to pledge to knit a certain number of 8x8 squares for charity. I figured I was good for one square Then she emailed around some different patterns for inspiration. I was shocked to discover how many different patterns could be created knowing only how to knit and purl. Cables! Eyelet designs! Diagonal patterns! I think I made ~15 squares. I used youtube videos to re-learn knitting and played with different patterns. Even if I didn’t like knitting a particular pattern (for whatever reason), I only had to complete my square.</p>
<p>After about 2 years of “practicing” on squares, I took the leap and knit a beginner shawl. It was supposed to be for me, but it ended up looking too much like a dear family member, so it became hers. Although I’ve used circular needles, I still haven’t made the leap to anything requiring actual circular knitting like socks or hats. But I’m quite happy with shawls, scarves and charity squares for the time being…</p>
<p>Just wondering…is it possible to knit and be on CC? </p>
<p>I have wanted to learn to knit for ages. Maryland has a wonderful wool show in the spring. You can buy everything from bags of wool to knitted sweaters. You could probably buy sheep. It is a fun day.</p>
<p>I’m a rightie, but I like continental style too. I can’t figure out why continental style would be better for lefties than righties; I think it’s a good way to knit for both groups. I say, try English and continental and see which feels more natural than the other.</p>
<p>CF: I agree that continental knitting is just fine for right-handed people. I wish I’d learned it first, but I learned to knit English-style when I was eight, I can knit in the dark now, and knitting continental-style requires lights (for me). Since I knit while I watch TV, case closed. I think continental is significantly easier for left-handed people because almost all the control of the yarn is in the left hand. JMHO.</p>
<p>Oh, you’re saying lefties should knit right handed, but continental style. That would be better than right handed, English style, but I think lefties should knit left handed, either continental or English.</p>
<p>Or you could do the obvious, and print the chart backwards. Unless you’re doing something like lettering, it’s not going to matter at all that you knitted the entire thing backwards.</p>
<p>Another vote for the continental style. Learned ‘English’ style in Asia as a child then switched to Continental when I lived in Europe (on the Continent :D) as an exchange student. Never went back. When I see people doing English, i want to tell them, here try this, it’s <em>so</em> much faster and smoother. They’re not interested.</p>
<p>I’m a very non-craftsy person who took up knitting a few years ago… and was hooked almost instantly. It’s SO relaxing… like yoga without the sweat but with a little project as reward a the end. </p>
<p>I’ve made a zillion scarves I don’t wear. My favorite project is a blanket or afghan. You learn the pattern, then just keep doing it forever. I like to knit while watching TV. It seems less of a time-waster. And everyone in my family has gotten a handknit blanket whether they wanted one or not! </p>
<p>I also like to take classes - most good yarn shops have them - where I do more ambitious projects (like sweaters.) Mind you, I have yet to make a sweater that looks decent enough to wear in public but I don’t care </p>
<p>BTW, knitting is a GREAT occupation on long flights. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t fly without a pair of needles which, somewhat surprisingly, always make it through security. </p>
<p>My sock on double point needles (dpns) got turned away when I went for jury duty last time. Bummer. Lot of time hanging out waiting to be called in for jury selection.</p>
That’s me to a T. I do counted cross stitch and knit, but I can’t sew worth a darn. That’s why I crochet the seams together rather than sew them! (I think they also look better.) And learning that crochet stitch takes 27 seconds.</p>
Then she emailed around some different patterns for inspiration. I was shocked to discover how many different patterns could be created knowing only how to knit and purl. Cables! Eyelet designs! Diagonal patterns! I think I made ~15 squares. I used youtube videos to re-learn knitting and played with different patterns. Even if I didn’t like knitting a particular pattern (for whatever reason), I only had to complete my square.</p>
Bummer. Lot of time hanging out waiting to be called in for jury selection.</p>