Learning to Knit
Knitting is not just for your Grandmother anymore. Knitting has become very popular with teens and young adults recently, and for good reason. It’s super fun, and you can learn how to make so many projects.
Choosing Your Tools
When you decide to learn how to knit, the first things you will need, obviously, are some knitting needles and yarn and a good sewing machine for beginners. When choosing your first needles, you want to be sure you choose a large size that feels comfortable in your hands and allows you to see your work more clearly. Start with maybe a 13, 14 or 15 size needle. These will help you see each stitch better. When choosing yarn, follow the same rule. You don’t want to go super bulky, but at the same time, you don’t want very thin fine yarn. Choosing a baby blanket yarn, such as Bernat, can help you see your stitches and learn how to knit easily. Once you learn how to knit properly, you will use the size needles and yarn the pattern calls for.
Visual Tools
Using a knitting book, or watching videos online can be most helpful. Whether you prefer to use a book and see pictures up close or watch live videos of knitting in action, there are plenty of resources out there to assist you in learning. Casting on is the first thing you need to learn how to do to knit. There are so many different ways to do this, you need to practice and find the one that is correct for you. You also need to decide which is the most comfortable way for you to hold your needles. Whether you are right handed or left handed, or if you prefer to hold your yarn in your knitting hand or free hand.
Knitting Circles
Finding a friend or group that also knit is an awesome way to get tips and visuals to help you start knitting. Check with your local church, or just ask friends if they know of any knitters. There’s bound to be a few in your circle. If you just prefer doing your crafting on your own, your local library will have plenty of material on the subject. If you would rather search online for help, there are hundreds of knitters who will share all their knowledge with you.
Abbreviations
There are so many different abbreviations used with knitting that you will need to know to read patterns. For instance, k means knit, while p means purl. Reading a pattern for the first time can seem overwhelming, but it is quite simple once you get the hang of it. Your pattern will begin with CO which means Cast On. This is how you get the yarn onto the needles. So CO36 will mean you have to cast on 36 stitches to start your project. From there it will tell you to K first row, or K1 P1 (knit one purl one) perhaps. A row is when you move yarn from one needle to the other. Then you have completed a row.
Start Easy
After you learn the basics, be sure to start simple with an easy knit stitch and something basic like a scarf so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Completing your first project will be the greatest feeling, and most likely you will be ready to start another! Happy Knitting!
