Knitting

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Knitting

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Contributor: mmike mmike
My first post about knitting was just for fun. However, I am now looking for some serious replies. I want to start knitting because I see it as a very practical skill.

While I have searched the internet for some guidance, I was wondering if any experienced knitters had some advice or suggestions as to how/where I could learn.

Also, are there any advantages/disadvantag es when it comes to the type of needles you use? Wood, metal or plastic?
11/10/2011
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Contributor: SMichelle SMichelle
One of the best knitting sites that I've found is ravelry.com. I highly recommend joining there. Knittinghelp.com is also very useful.

Needle material is really all about preference. The first needles that I used were bamboo, and I would recommend them to beginners.
11/10/2011
Contributor: mmike mmike
Quote:
Originally posted by SMichelle
One of the best knitting sites that I've found is ravelry.com. I highly recommend joining there. Knittinghelp.com is also very useful.

Needle material is really all about preference. The first needles that I used were bamboo, and I would ... more
thanks
11/11/2011
Contributor: Theaadrian Theaadrian
Knittinghelp.com is really good, but I'd also go for a book. Stich n' bitch is a good, one with some nice patterns and good instruction on a lot of techniques. I use a lot of metal needles but wood and bamboo work just fine. It's really just personal preference. It's the yarn you need to educate yourself about. Don't waste your money on acrylic shit. Make sure to get 100% wool/alpaca/cotton/ang ora/other natural fibers. It's a good thing to be picky about yarn. if you don't like the yarn, you will never wear the garment.
11/18/2011
Contributor: mmike mmike
Quote:
Originally posted by Theaadrian
Knittinghelp.com is really good, but I'd also go for a book. Stich n' bitch is a good, one with some nice patterns and good instruction on a lot of techniques. I use a lot of metal needles but wood and bamboo work just fine. It's really ... more
thanks for the tip. the first two balls of yarn i bought are 80% acrylic, but i think they will be fine for practice. next time when i'm more confident, i'll make sure I get yarn made of only natural fibers
11/19/2011
Contributor: CS2012 CS2012
Quote:
Originally posted by Theaadrian
Knittinghelp.com is really good, but I'd also go for a book. Stich n' bitch is a good, one with some nice patterns and good instruction on a lot of techniques. I use a lot of metal needles but wood and bamboo work just fine. It's really ... more
I have to disagree with you about acrylic being shit. It is great for making purses, caps, scarves, toys and blankets. The only acrylic brand I would not recommend for scarves, caps and blankets is Red Heart Super Saver since it is kind of scratchy but it is perfect for making purses and toys like stuffed animals. I suggest for caps, scarves and blankets to use Caron Simply Soft, Vanna's Choice, Bernat Satin or Hobby Lobby's I Love This yarn. If there is not a Hobby Lobby near you they have a website you can order from. link

For garments I would not use acrylic. I made a mistake and crocheted myself a sweater made out of acrylic. My husband hand washed it in cold water and let it air dry over night then he put it in the dryer on low. The sweater stretched out ridiculously huge. I suggest using 100% wool for sweater or natural fibers like bamboo or cotton for garments.

I agree with another poster about what type of needles being a personal preference. I prefer Knit Picks' Zypher, Harmony Wood and Nickel Plated needles. I only prefer bamboo in the smaller size needles. Since the big needs made of bamboo make my hands hurt for some reason. My hands will feel like they are stinging. The Lion Brand plastic needles are also great. I love the Lion Brand plastic needles for the larger size needles.

Like another poster said Ravelry.com and knittinghelp.com are great sites. On You Tube there is a channel called very pink knits which have tons of knitting videos all of her videos are helpful. If I need help learning something new with knitting I always check out very pink knits on you tube.
01/12/2012
Contributor: arduous arduous
Another vote for ravelry! It's a great resource for patterns, recommendations on yarns for certain projects, and has a lot of great groups for starting to knit. I'm self taught from a book (Vogue Knitting), but I know a lot of people have great success learning from youtube videos.

As for needles, I'd suggest getting a few different flavors to start and experiment. I know many people love bamboo, but I'd have never continued knitting if I'd tried those first. They're really grippy and I'm a tight knitting---metal is best, for me.
01/14/2012
Contributor: CoffeeCup CoffeeCup
What type of needles to use is largely a matter of personal preference.

When I first started to learn, I had some one start something for me so I could learn the basic stitch before having to worry about learning to cast on. When I did learn to cast on, it was super easy because I had a better understand of the whole idea.

Some one taught me the basic stitch and after that, whenever I wanted to learn something new, I'd just look it up online. There is a video tutorial for just about everything!
01/14/2012
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by CS2012
I have to disagree with you about acrylic being shit. It is great for making purses, caps, scarves, toys and blankets. The only acrylic brand I would not recommend for scarves, caps and blankets is Red Heart Super Saver since it is kind of scratchy ... more
I agree with the Hobby Lobby yarn. That stuff is SUPER SOFT! I make EVERYTHING with it. No one has a problem wearing my acrylic items, and everyone talks about them being soft and warm.
01/19/2012
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
I'm a hooker, so I can't advise you on the best places to get help for knitting, but I found YouTube to be a remarkable resource for technique how-tos. I do know HOW to knit, I just find crochet to be much faster and simpler.
01/19/2012
Contributor: no.one.special no.one.special
Ravelry is hands-down my favorite place on the internet. There's a lot to it - way more than just learning to knit or showing off your projects or your yarn stash. I've found some gorgeous patterns, chipped in to fundraisers, and made some really great friends of people I met on the forums. If you want me to help you get started with Ravelry, PM any time and I'll send you a link!

One of my favorite resources for learning a new technique is YouTube. I taught myself to knit from books and it took me forever. YouTube is far easier because you can see what's going on and emulate it.
09/10/2012
Contributor: charmedtomeetyou charmedtomeetyou
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by no.one.special
Ravelry is hands-down my favorite place on the internet. There's a lot to it - way more than just learning to knit or showing off your projects or your yarn stash. I've found some gorgeous patterns, chipped in to fundraisers, and made some ... more
I love ravelry too!

I also like knittinghelp.com for learning to knit.
10/12/2012