Best way to start knitting(?)

[jaspercornbread]

I have been reading Bramblestiches blog about knitting socks, and I thought I would like to finally make socks that are actually comfortable.

When I went to the library and saw all the books on knitting, I was rather overwhelmed. I'm guessing that socks are probably not the place to learn to start knitting. I doubt that I ever make it to sweaters, but who knows. I would like to make some socks someday. Maybe some other useful items - throws, washcloths, etc.

Does anybody have any good suggestions for how to start knitting?

[Shamrock1121]

I have been reading Bramblestiches blog about knitting socks, and I thought I would like to finally make socks that are actually comfortable.

When I went to the library and saw all the books on knitting, I was rather overwhelmed. *I'm guessing that socks are probably not the place to learn to start knitting. *I doubt that I ever make it to sweaters, but who knows. *I would like to make some socks someday. Maybe some other useful items - throws, washcloths, etc.

Does anybody have any good suggestions for how to start knitting? *

If you happen to have a quality yarn shop around, see if they offer classes or can suggest someone to mentor you one-on-one. Check at the County Extension Office. That's where I used to teach "tons" of classes - adults as well as 4-H.

Before you can tackle socks, you'll need to learn knitting basics which should include information about yarn. Once you have the basics, you can really knit almost anything, as long as the pattern is fairly basic - EVEN SWEATERS.

Working on dish cloths is a great way to practice lots of different stitches/stitch combinations and learn to read patterns. There are lots of different books with easy-to-make ones available. I make them while watching TV. Everyone raids my stash - what a popular item.... ;D

I'm a Master Crocheter and have taught lots of classes over the last 25 years. I've worked in two yarn shops and mentored both knitters and crocheters.

Helpful hint for the day... Avoid learning using dark yarn (black, navy, dark brown), it's difficult to see for newbies.

Good luck finding someone...

-Karen

[denham]

I learned to knit with a book called the Learn to Knit Afghan Book. It is by Barbara Walker. You make different squares with knitting patterns and then sew them all together to make an afghan. Of course I never got that far but I did have fun learning.

I confess I rarely do it now, crocheting is so much easier!

[MotherCharlotte]

I am just learning to knit right now. I'm making a blanket for my daughter's doll bed--a nice ol' white rectangle, can't get much easier than that! Definitely don't start out with something tricky for your first project. Dish clothes or scarves or basically anything flat would be the easiest thing.

Karen obviously knows what she's talking about, and I would take her advice and take a class to learn rather than trying to learn from a book. I too went to the library and tried to look at the pictures in the books. They mean nothing to me! If anything those pictures just confuse me more, because they are snapshots and don't show the movements your hands actually make. I found it a million times easier to simply have someone show me (in my case, my sister). So learning in a class with an instructor who can demonstrate would probably make things go much more smoothly for you.

[Lynnkay]

Jasper, go to www.knittinghelp.com for online video help.

Also, Wal-Mart sells a book in their yarn section called, "I Can't Believe I'm Knitting." I've been knitting for about two years, and it's so relaxing. I'm currently working on a sweater

A good first project is a dish cloth as you mentioned in your earlier post. I made tons of those as I was practicing my stitches. It's a great way to begin. W-M even has a book about making those.