I want to learn to knit (no, not to knit a uterus or anything) questions--

[Bouncy Ball]

How hard is it, seriously? On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being absurdly easy and 10 being extremely difficult.

I am NOT good with stuff like that. I have a hard time thinking in 3-D and am not normally good doing things with my hands, but I REALLY want to do this.

Where do I start? Learning from a book will NOT work. I need to have someone show me, very patiently, and possibly many times before I get it.

[demnan]

1. It's not that hard

to do basic knitting. I really loved doing the fair isle stuff but I developed a nerve problem in my hands and had to give it up.

I'm left-handed, the only one in my family, so I had to learn from a book. The first project I made turned out ok, but actually was a twisted back stitch. Turned out great in the scarf, though.

Why don't you find a yarn store in your area, especially one carrying real wool that caters to people who knit? There is one in Springfield, VA I used to go to and they even had knitting lessons and a knitting club. Check your local yellow pages to see and make some phone calls.

Craft stores also have classes for various different crafts also, or ask someone at a craft store (preferably not a chain craft store, they're hopeless).

You should also look up a book called "Knitting without Tears". It teaches you how to knit using mathmatical percentages and you can make a really nice sweater without a pattern.

[ellie]

2. You should try

a CD-ROM or a DVD. I bought a DVD called The Art of Knitting and it is really good. You can back up and repeat sequences as many times as necessary. If you can't learn off of a video, see if there is a Joann Fabrics around you that offers classes.

It's not hard at all and is a lot of fun.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. I would say it's a 3. Think it's easier than crochet. If you have

a craft store (like Michael's) or a yarn store, they often offer classes for beginners. Sometimes a Continuing Education program will have 'learn to knit' classes. There's only two basic stitches: knit and purl. All the others are combinations and variations on those two.

[AllegroRondo]

4. I taught myself last year

and taught my wife shortly after.


The basic stitches are pretty easy, and very repeditive. You can learn them in under an hour and off you go making scarves.
But you can get as complex as you want.

[Bjornsdotter]

5. It's very easy...

I learned at age 12 and I started teaching my 15 year old a couple of years ago.

At first don't wory about the gauge, just practice...make a scarf.

Some yarns are harder to knit with, find one that works for you...also everyone has a favorite type of knitting needles..for example I hate plastic and won't use it. Also the size of needle...I usually teach people on a size 8; not too big, not too small.

PM me if you have any questions...I be happy to help you.

Cheers,
Kim

[Cuban_Liberal]

6. My Mom knits, and she showed me some basic things....

I'd say it's about a 3 on your 1-10 scale.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

7. Well, I taught all five of my granddaughters to knit in one night.

(all under the age of 10 at the time - not all in one night, tho!) That includes two that are left-handed. Are their stitches nice and neat - no, not completely, not yet. But they get better with each project. They can do simple scarfs using large needles and funky yarns now available at craft shops. Once they have the basics down they can move on to harder projects with smaller needles and fancier stitches.

Next up will be a simple hat and some house slippers. You can learn if you will be patient with yourself and practice, practice, practice. Excellent hobby while watching TV, waiting at a doctor's office, etc. Light, easy to carry, and fun to see what you have created.

Have some one show you the cast on stitch (putting yarn on the needle) and then a basic knit stitch. Next up you will learn the purl stitch (same as knit, jut in reverse) and there you go. You have 90% of knitting down pat. After that it is just a combination of those two stitches, spacing and reading a pattern. When you want to get really fancy, add a second color and get crazy.

Have fun - you can do this.

[Bouncy Ball]

8. THank you SO much guys!!! Great suggestions

and I have more confidence about this now. I'm really quite klutzy, so I was apprehensive.

My good friend is having her first baby in June and I'd love to knit a baby blanket. She and her husband tried for 10 years to have this baby.

But besides that, it just seems fun. I read an article about a woman who learned and found it was very relaxing and she started doing it all the time.

She made a fine-gauge knit cap that looked like a tomato! LOL!

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

9. Kick this thread later

My sister, AKA Bullwinkle925, just learned to knit and is a total fanatic. She can give you lots of tips. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you PM'ed her about it.

[Bouncy Ball]

11. Will do! I didn't know that was your sister!

:thumbsup:

[jmowreader]

10. PM me, I'll send you my wife's e-mail address

She has knitted for a long time.

[Betsy Ross]

12. I learned to knit as a child

but taught myself to crochet as an adult. The one advantage of crochet over knit is that you only have to worry about one loop. Screw up, unravel, and grab one loop. Screw up in knitting and it can make you crazy.

Knitting is hipper right now, but I would suggest crochet to a clutz. You can make a baby blanket and the same hat in crochet; there are patterns for both K&C for various fruit and vegetable hats.