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Over the weekend I fished CAL's hat. I was almost done when I realized that I did something wrong halfway through so I pulled it back and redid it. It only set me back about 2 hours, but its better to be perfect...right?
Pattern: Graham by: Jennifer Adams
Yarn: Rowan lima
Ok... this is not really knitting 101, but I am going to share a few tips for getting started in knitting.
I have been knitting for 10 years and I have learned a lot along the way. You can read my full knitting story here.
When you want to learn to knit it can be very overwhelming and intimidating at times but don’t worry, this post will help you take the steps you need to get started with knitting.
The first thing you need to do is go over to Ravelry and sign-up. This is an amazing site for knitters and crocheters (kind like facebook, but for knitting). On Ravelry you will find patterns, forms, tips, tricks and a place to keep track of your projects and even your supplies. It is an amazing community!
Learning to knit: Books and links to help you cast on.
I taught myself to knit from a book--I learn best on my own, at my own pace. I would love to say it is easy but if you don’t have the help you need, it can be very frustrating. When I started knitting there were no youtube videos to help me, I had to ask someone or learn it myself. I am lucky that I could do both. YOU can however, learn from books, videos and friends. :)
Books:
Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes by Elizabeth Zimmermenn
Videos:
Knitting Help website is full off helpful video's. The website wont let me share the video's here on my blog, but here are some links to the video's.
A friend:
If you know someone who knits, don’t be afraid to ask them for help. I have learned that knitters love to teach others how to knit. I love to teach people how to knit! I have taught a number of friends, who are now teaching others to knit. It is always fun to teach your craft.
Knitting Skills: to get started
making a slip knot and casting on
forming the knit stitch
forming the purl stitch
binding off, sometimes also referred to as casting off
Tools:
When you first get started as a knitter it can be overwhelming to walk into a yarn shop and see all the supplies. It makes sense, however, to buy only a few supplies when you're first getting started in knitting.
Only buy the basic supplies because you might not even like knitting and you don’t want to be stuck with supplies you wont use. Here are the basic tools you need to get started on your first project.
Yarn
Needles
A pair of scissors
A darning needle
A crochet hook
Your first project:
It's a good idea to start with something small and flat or that doesn't require shaping. Most people like to start with a scarf because it is flat and doesn't require shaping.
Many patterns, even those for beginners, seem to be written in code. Here are some tips on reading a pattern and common knitting abbreviations. If you need more help deciphering a pattern, check out Knitting Helps knitting glossery.
For your first project I would say start with a scarf. Here is a simple one to get you going.
Picking your yarn:
Since this may be your first time knitting, I would suggest going into your local yarn shop and asking them for help. Here are some question you can ask
What weight of yarn do I need?
How much yarn do I need to make a scarf?
What kind of fiber should I use?
You don't have to pick what was used in the pattern, but as a beginner that is often helpful because you can compare your finished project to the picture with the pattern more easily.
(image found here)
Needles:
I would recommend starting with straight needles for your first project, but after that go with circular needles. Straight needles can be heavy and awkward holding and they are not always easy to carry with you.
After your first project move onto circular because you can knit straight with those too. Here is a good post about knitting straight with circular needles.
As for what needles to use-- buy the size that is recommend with the pattern or size to match the gauge.
This is also a good post on knitting needles.
Finishing your project:
Binding off is really easy. Here is a video to show you how.
Here are some more resources to getting you going with knitting.
Knitting Help: Great web-sit for getting help
Ravelry : Great community for knitters
Knitty: Free patterns and help
Vogue Knitting: Magazine with fun projects
Interweave: Magazine with fun projects
Knit Picks: Needles, books, yarn, knitting help
Brooklyn Tweed: Beautiful patterns and yarn
I hope this post was helpful!
When I was in AZ for Thanksgiving I started working on the Bedford sweater by Brooklyn Tweed.
Since these photo were taken, I have knit the whole lower body and moved onto knitting the sleeves. I am really enjoying knitting this sweater and I can't wait to see it finished.
I have a few knitting projects that I need to finish before I head back to AZ on the 23rd. I love being (crafty) busy!
What projects are you working on?
I finished the Central Park Hoodie! You heard me right…this damn sweater is done! It only took me 2 years to finish, but I am happy that I stuck with it because it is wrongfully warm. This was my first sweater that I knit in pieces and had to seam together. I cannot say that I did a great job at seaming, but I did my best and I know now that I will never knit a sweater in pieces again.
I am happy to say that this sweater is 100% handmade! Dana Lloyd Design's (shop coming soon) has made the wood buttons for me and they are so beautiful. You cannot tell from the photos but the buttons are purple they were made from purpleheart wood.
(image found on We Heart It)
My weekend is going to sound like a relaxing weekend, which it was, but I was still very busy. On Friday night, I stayed with a friend in the East Bay and we hung out and listened to music . I tried to seam the shoulders on my Central Park Hoodie, but for the life of me, I could not figure it out. I watched videos on YouTube, but because I was working with a cable and ribbed pattern it did not make since to me. For the record of all the knitting, that I have done over the years this is my first sweater that I had to seam together.
My original plans for Saturday were canceled so I headed back to the city in the morning. I met up with Laurel (who just got back from an amazing vacation) and had coffee and went to the yarn shop together. At the yarn shop they helped me with the seaming of the shoulder and I found two books that I wanted. The books that I bought were “Knitting Almanac” by Elizabeth Zimmerman and “The knitting Companion” by Vicki Square. Both books are very amazing! After the yarn shop we headed to our friends house to work on projects. I sat down, seamed my shoulders, and started knitting the hood on the sweater. After a few hours more friends showed up and we decided that a movie was best for this cold rainy Saturday night. We watched “Lord of the Rings” which I have never seen. I finished my hood and fell asleep halfway through the movie.
Sunday was another cold rainy day that was meant for watching movies and working on projects. I went back to my friends house where everyone from the night before met up and watch the other two “Lord of the Rings” movies. By the end of the night (12:30am) I had sewn my Central Park Hoodie together and was weaving in all the loose ends. I still have the button band and the buttons to add to the sweater, but other than that I am finished. The next time I bring up the Central Park Hoodie it will be to show you photos of the finished sweater :)
Happy Monday!
p.s I finished the hat in the blog post below, but it came out a little big and I am going to re-knit it when I have time.
