Knitting is such a wonderful craft that allows you to create stylish items with just a pair of needles and some yarn - It’s MAGIC! Don't worry if you're new to knitting and are feeling a little overwhelmed. You can learn how to start knitting with the help of this blog post. We'll go over the basics and make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you begin your knitting journey.
Choosing Your Needles:
Let's talk about knitting needles first things first. Here, you have a few choices. There are circular needles, which are more adaptable and can handle both flat and circular knitting, and there are straight needles, which are ideal for flat crafts like scarves. In order to easily practise various stitches as a beginner, I'd suggest starting with a set of medium-sized needles (about US size 8 or 9).
Selecting the Right Yarn:
Yarn comes in all sorts of fibres, weights, and textures As a beginner, it's best to stick with a medium-weight yarn, such as DK (double-knitting). These yarns are easier to work with and provide good stitch definition and progress within the project.
Basic Knitting Techniques:
Okay, let's get those needles out! Here are the fundamental knitting techniques to get you started:
- Casting On: This is the first step in any knitting project. The long-tail cast-on method is commonly used by beginners as it creates a neat and stretchy edge that works well for most projects.
- Knit Stitch: the trusty knit stitch! It's the foundation of knitting and forms those smooth "v" patterns you'll come to love. In knitting patterns, the knit stitch is often abbreviated as ‘K’
- Purl Stitch: The purl stitch adds a lovely bumpy texture to your fabric and is often used in combination with the knit stitch to create different patterns and designs. The purl stitch is abbreviated as ‘P’
- Binding Off: When you're finished with your project, you'll need to bind off to secure your stitches and create a neat edge. It's like putting the finishing touch on your masterpiece.
Essential Tools:
Let's talk about the tools every knitter needs in their kit:
- Scissors: A good pair of scissors is a must-have for cutting yarn and tidying up loose ends - once weaved in!
- Stitch Markers: These handy little rings help you keep track of specific stitches or pattern repeats, making your knitting journey much smoother.
- Tapestry Needles: These come in handy for weaving loose ends in and sewing pieces together to bring your project to life.
- Measuring Tape: Essential for checking your gauge and measuring the length of your project to ensure a perfect fit.
- Row Counter: Don't forget a row counter! It's a small but mighty tool that helps you keep track of your rows and pattern repeats.
Learning Resources:
Now that you have the tools, it's time to explore learning resources:
- Online Tutorials: You'll find step-by-step instructions and visual demonstrations from YouTube, blogs, Facebook etc
- Knitting Books: Treat yourself to beginner-friendly knitting books. They're filled with clear instructions, patterns, and helpful tips to enhance your knitting skills. These are a few of my favourite books for beginners:
- Local Knitting Groups: Consider joining a local knitting group or attending knitting classes in your area, check out your local yarn store - they can point you in the right direction.
Remember, practice makes progress! Start with small and simple projects like dishcloths or scarves to build your skills and boost your confidence, using a DK weight yarn means your project will grow quickly.
Don't worry if you make mistakes along the way; we all do. Perfectly imperfect is fine!
The important thing is to enjoy the process and learn from each project you undertake.
Knitting is such an enjoyable hobby because it allows you to make one-of-a-kind items of your own that are personalised. You'll soon be knitting complex patterns that show off your creativity and unique style if you start with the basics, such as choosing the best needles, and yarn. So pick yourself some beautiful yarn and knitting needles, and let the joy of knitting take you into a world of endless possibilities.
Happy knitting!