Anyone here knit?

[juliaspindler]

I am just learning and looking for some fun beginner's patterns. Any recommendations??

[SavingEye]

I do... Not the best of my trades...but I do...

[MrsPinecone]

You could probably just Google "beginners knitting patterns" and come up with a bunch of easy stuff.

[phoenix]

http://knittinghelp.com/ Provides actual video clips and has a free pattern page

knitty.com – is a cool knitting board, and free patterns

If you can knit in the round—the Booga bag is a very easy pattern
http://www.blacksheepbags.com/booga_bag.html

Easy but cute scarf pattern
http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/fizz-chenscarf1.html

Knitting Pattern Central—all free patterns from beginner to advance
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php

If you’re looking for books:
Stitch & (B)Itch—by Debbie Stoller
The Knit Stitch—by Sally Melville
Knitting for Dummies –by Pam Allen

Don’t forget to use your Michael’s 40% off 1 item coupon to buy the books
Or, check out Hobby Lobby when they have 40-50% off all knitting books or items

[MrsPinecone]

Wow! Thanks for the links!

In the DIY Baby Items thread, there is a link to a bunch of baby knitting patterns. That's what I started with when I began knitting-- quick and easy, and makes you feel like you can actually finish a project.

[littlejo]

I knit. I would rather crochet but I do knit a few afghans a yr.

[couponnewbiemich]

I do, I'm a beginer knitter (used to knit when I was younger and have picked back up recently). I'm wondering where I can buy needles and supplies at cheap prices. I looked around ebay and everything is still super expensive.

Any tips on where to buy knitting supplies at reasonable prices?

[ritaillinois]

I do, I'm a beginer knitter (used to knit when I was younger and have picked back up recently). I'm wondering where I can buy needles and supplies at cheap prices. I looked around ebay and everything is still super expensive.

Any tips on where to buy knitting supplies at reasonable prices?

If you have a Michael's or Hobby Lobby nearby, they have 40% off coupons in the Sunday paper almost every week. You can slowly build up your supplies that way.

[scoopdecoop]

I just picked up some needles again lately and found this site good: if you sign up for the weekly newsletter it includes new stiches & patterns. Also has how to do many of the basic stitches etc.

http://cache.lionbrand.com/

[couponnewbiemich]

If you have a Michael's or Hobby Lobby nearby, they have 40% off coupons in the Sunday paper almost every week. You can slowly build up your supplies that way.

I want a Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles kit (http://www.knitdenise.com/pages/about-the-kit), but I can't find that at Michaels. I looked on ebay and they are listed at outrageous prices (used), I might as well spend the 50.00 on a new set.

[ritaillinois]

I want a Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles kit (http://www.knitdenise.com/pages/about-the-kit), but I can't find that at Michaels. I looked on ebay and they are listed at outrageous prices (used), I might as well spend the 50.00 on a new set.

Have you used the Denise Needles? I haven't, but friends who have bought the set go back to using regular circs. I don't know if it's the cables being stiff or the needles not having a smooth join to the cable.
ritaillinois

[couponnewbiemich]

Have you used the Denise Needles? I haven't, but friends who have bought the set go back to using regular circs. I don't know if it's the cables being stiff or the needles not having a smooth join to the cable.
ritaillinois

I've read a lot of reviews and I think the most common complaint is a rough joint to the cable, but I may be able to live with that for the convenience of not having to buy new needles every single time I start a project. Right now for example, I have a scarf & hat, an afghan and a pencil case in the works.

I've been putting off starting all these projects because I need all these different size needles and I don't want to spend that much money.

What I might end up doing is buying the Boye needles at Michaels, they have a 50% off coupon this Friday. That would make them roughly 30-35.00 dollars ( I think they retail for 69.99), and I won't have to pay shipping.

[tjsss1]

yes i love it..thing is, since i was raised in europe with my godmother that used to own a yarn and needle shop, they teach us a diff way from the american way, so i cant really recomend any patters or ideas ;-(....I have kknitted scarves, everyone at work always gives me compliments. Plus its a nice way to relax, and release ur stress...

[icandothis]

I knit and crochet. Dc and I learned from a video from the local library and a couple of their books. We usually get our supplies from Wally World, but thanks to the Micheal's tip, think we'll switch ponies.

[couponnewbiemich]

I knit and crochet. Dc and I learned from a video from the local library and a couple of their books. We usually get our supplies from Wally World, but thanks to the Micheal's tip, think we'll switch ponies.

Also, If you have a JoAnn's Fabric near you, you can subscribe to their mailing list, and they send you a 40% off coupon about a week later.

[MrsPinecone]

For beginners who need supplies, Michael's has a sort of "Knitting for Dummies" kind of book that comes with a bunch of the most commonly used needle sizes. It's 9.99 or 14.99 or somewhere in that neighborhood. They have knitting and crocheting versions. Much cheaper than buying the individual needles.

[The Bead Lady]

The knitting.com site helped out a lot when I started knitting! There are thousands of patterns out there for the taking!! Have fun!

[werblam]

I will be just starting to learn to knit (the library is doing a learn to knit program from a local retailer). Someone told me to check out yard sales - lots of times people have knitting needles of all sizes there...

[Clars]

Yard sales, church rummage sales and thrift stores are good places to look for supplies. I always check thrift stores for pattern books, they are so much cheaper. There are a lot of great free patterns online or you can get some funs patterns in knitting magazines.

[kori]

Bernat Yarns has some nice patterns and they are rated by difficulty. There are many easy ones for beginners. You might have to sign up for a free membership to get access to all the patterns.

Bernat: Pattern List (http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PG=homepat&PT=k)

[nashla97]

I love my Denise Needles! Made getting different sizes for circulars a lot easier. I got the set for Christmas a couple years ago and use them for almost everything except socks, which I stick with dpns for. The only time the join has given me any problems was on the smallest size needles, but I'm not the fastest of knitters so maybe that makes a difference.

There's also a similar set of needles out now by KnitPicks.com that I've heard good things about.

[The Bead Lady]

My mom dosen't knit with anything other than the Denise system! She loves them!

[corrinesmama]

So my daughter has decided that she would like to learn how to knit (she is 8, but very patient). We are both crafty, but I don't even know how to do this. Where do we start? Is there somewhere we can go and learn together, and if so, how do I find resources for classes?
And how much would youspend on a project that you've never done? I didn't even know there were diff size needles?!:rolleyes24:
Our goal is to try and make nice gifts from her to family for Christmas this year (something that grandparents can treasure forever kind of thing)
TIA

[jedda]

So my daughter has decided that she would like to learn how to knit (she is 8, but very patient). We are both crafty, but I don't even know how to do this. Where do we start? Is there somewhere we can go and learn together, and if so, how do I find resources for classes?
And how much would youspend on a project that you've never done? I didn't even know there were diff size needles?!:rolleyes24:
Our goal is to try and make nice gifts from her to family for Christmas this year (something that grandparents can treasure forever kind of thing)
TIA


Instruction first. Do you have an elderly neighbor who knits? or another relative? Knitters love to share their skill. You can check with co-workers, or people at your place of worship too. Or if you have an independent yarn shop nearby (check the yellow pages under yarn, and under knitting supplies), go in and ask about classes for kids (some teachers will not allow kids under a certain age, unless it is a class specifically for kids). Another option is that some knitting shop owners will offer private lessons for a fee (I'd expect to pay $30/hr or so) for just you and your daughter. If they don't have classes held in the shop, they will certainly be able to point you in the right direction. If all else fails, check your local Joann's (if you have one) for their Knitting 101 class.

As far as materials for projects, it really varies. You can buy needles at yard sales and thrift stores, freecycle and craigslist, and on ebay. You can buy yarn at all of these same places, plus walmart and big craft stores.

Nicer yarns will be cheaper online than in a local yarn shop, but the help and assistance at the shop is usually worth the extra $, IMO.

Patterns can be found online for free, and also in library books.

Start with a few sets of needles and some yarn for one project, and then go on from there. No point spending tons of money only to discover that you don't like the craft.

[Kristen.C]

So my daughter has decided that she would like to learn how to knit (she is 8, but very patient). We are both crafty, but I don't even know how to do this. Where do we start? Is there somewhere we can go and learn together, and if so, how do I find resources for classes?
And how much would youspend on a project that you've never done? I didn't even know there were diff size needles?!:rolleyes24:
Our goal is to try and make nice gifts from her to family for Christmas this year (something that grandparents can treasure forever kind of thing)
TIA

Jedda made some great suggestions! One other place to try would be through your county parks and recreation as well as your local community college or extension school. Both of these options should have classes for kids, especially during the summer months, and will be very affordable.

[emstclair]

When I began to knit a few years back (my mother-in-law taught me), I started with learning how to cast on. After I mastered this technique, I then learned the knit stitch. I knitted a few rows and then learned how to cast off. I made several little squares so to speak just by doing those three things. When I felt comfortable with all of those steps - casting on, knitting several rows, casting off - I made a very simple scarf just using the knit stitch. It only took a few days to make, and it gave me a lot of confidence in my knitting, as well as the accomplishment that I was looking for. Now I love to knit and do it whenever I have the time! :)

I also like the website knittinghelp.com. It's very helpful and I love the videos!