(by 11 people)
Learn how to knit by hand and make lots of cool items for yourself and your friends!
Hand knitting has undergone a rebirth in recent years. The internet has provided hundreds if not thousands of wonderful free patterns, online knitting stores stock many yummy knitting yarns and accessories and there are loads of online groups to help you get started. Knitting is also great fun to do and very relaxing - ever tried travelling on public transport and been stressed out by personal stereos blaring out unwanted noise? Bring out your knitting needles and enjoy knitting a sock or something else that is small - it's a great de-stressor!
The first thing you need to buy yourself to get started in learning to hand knit is a pair of medium sized knitting needles, and a ball of knitting yarn. Don't expect to be able to make a sweater or other large garment right away, you'll be far better starting with a simple bag, dishcloth, bookmark or other similar item.
The easiest weight of yarn for a beginner is worsted to aran. This will be advertised on the ball band as knitting around 16-20 stitches over 4 inches/10 centimetres. This will require a pair of knitting needles of approximately 5 millimetres to 5.5 millimetres. Unfortunately there are three different systems of sizing knitting needles - the US has its own system of size numbers, up until about 1980 the UK had its own numbering system and then metric sized knitting needles were brought into being! There are however lots of conversion charts online and your wool shop should certainly be able to tell you what size of needle to buy for which yarn.
You should also buy a packet of knitting sewing up needles, again these will be readily available from your local yarn shop.
Knitting books are an important addition to your library
Every knitter needs a technical reference book!
A Knitting Glossary
This is a super DVD by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen, in which they demonstrate over 100 knitting techniques.
Amazon Price: $40.00 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $40.00
The Knitting Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask
A wonderful little reference book here, packed with hundreds of tricks and techniques - I learn something every time I open it! It's small so can easily be carried about in your knitting bag.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book
This superb reference book covers knitting techniques in full photographic detail, and includes a collection of classic style patterns at the end. It's a rather large and heavy hardback so not for carrying around but if you want to know how to do something it's probably in this book.
Amazon Price: $25.71 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $38.95
Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes
Elizabeth Zimmermann teaches how to make circular knit seamless sweaters, socks, hats and more in this 1970s classic.
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $16.95
Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters' Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures
This volume covers all sorts of items to knit for the home and to wear, and is written in a slightly off the cuff style. However if you want to know how to do garter stitch log cabin once you've read this book you'll know how to do it.
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $29.95
Learn how to knit with these easy to follow articles!
The articles linked in this section will have you knitting like a pro in no time!
- Beginner's Knitting Tools
- Learn about the basic tools you will need to start hand knitting.
- Different types of knitting needles
- Learn about the different knitting needles available today.
- How to wind a skein of yarn into a ball
- Here is a description of how to wind your skeined knitting yarn into a ball.
- How to make a slip knot to start your knitting
- You will need a slip knot to begin knitting - here's how to make one!
- How to do the Two Needle Cabled Cast On
- Here is a neat way to cast on your first row.
- How to make a knit stitch
- Learn to form a knit stitch.
- How to make a Purl Stitch
- Learn to make the purl stitch.
- Creating a knitted selvedge
- Here are two different knitted selvedges which will give a neat finish.
- How to Cast Off your knitting
- Learn a neat way to cast off the knitting when you've finished it.
- How to thread a Yarn Needle
- Here is a trick to make threading your yarn needle easy.
- How to darn ends into your knitting
- Hide the ends once you've finished!
- Comparing and Contrasting Stocking Stitch and Garter Stitch
- Learn some important considerations when working with stocking stitch and garter stitch.
- How to knit a Tension Square
- Your gauge swatch or tension square is very important and should not be skipped!
- Reverse Stocking Stitch
- Here are some ways to use Reverse Stocking Stitch for a different look.
- How to join on a new length of yarn
- Sometimes you need to tie in a new ball of yarn. Here's how!
- How to decrease with Knit 2 together
- Learn a simple decrease.
- How to knit and purl into the back of a stitch
- Learn how to work into the back loops of your stitches.
- How to work SSK and SKPO
- Learn more about two important decreases.
- How to use Stitch Markers in your knitting
- Learn some marking techniques to make your knitting life easier.
- How to fix dropped stitches in knitting
- We all have disasters and here are some hints and tips on how to fix some of the ones which may occur when you knit!
- How to increase a single stitch in your knitting
- Learn some useful ways of increasing in your work.
Every knitter needs patterns, here are some great ones!
Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop
This superb hardback book is not too large and is therefore easy to carry around, however this does not mean it is lacking in information. It is packed with a series of lessons on hand knitting on circular needles, teaching everything from seamless sweaters (with instructions for 7 different raglan styles) and lots more besides. Elizabeth Zimmermann's designs are classic and great fun to knit.
Amazon Price: $18.00 (as of 10/06/2008)
Learn-To-Knit-Afghan Book
This excellent little volume by Barbara Walker contains detailed descriptions on knitting a range of 63 different knitted squares which are then put together to form an Afghan. All instructions are included in the book and by the time you've knitted the afghan you'll have covered almost every knitting technique.
Amazon Price: $20.00 (as of 10/06/2008)
Scarf Style: Innovative to Traditional, 31 Inspirational Styles to Knit and Crochet (Style series)
Here is a wonderful pattern book of knitted scarves for all occasions!
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 10/06/2008)
Unexpected Knitting
Debbie New is at the forefront of innovative knitting and although you might not want to try her things as a beginner it's a must for your bookshelf later on.
Amazon Price: $40.00 (as of 10/06/2008)
The Knitters Bible - Knitted Bags: 25 Irresistible Projects from Frivolously Fun to Smart City Chic (Knitter's Bible)
Knitted bags are always useful and here is a fun collection!
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 10/06/2008)
eBay is a great source for knitting yarns and more!
eBay is an essential source for knitters these days. Many yarns can be found much more cheaply than in the shops (on or offline) and it's often possible to find all the accessories you will need. If you're looking for a particular pattern it's worth watching eBay for it too.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Knitting Shops Online
- Get Knitted
- Get Knitted is a UK supplier. They stock a very wide range of fine quality knitting yarns including Lorna's Laces and Cascade. I've always found their service to be excellent, the goods usually arrive the next day.
- Heirloom Knitting
- This is a specialist lace knitting online store which is again based in the UK. Again I have used them and found their service to be excellent.
- Jamieson & Smith
- Jamieson & Smith are one of the oldest specialist makers of real Shetland knitting yarns and sell the fine cobweb laceweight as well as 4 ply Jumper weight yarns which are famous the world over. They can also send you fleeces for hand spinning and lots more besides.
- Schoolhouse Press
- Again I have used Schoolhouse Press on several occasions and cannot recommend them too highly! This company was formed by Elizabeth Zimmermann in the 1950s and is today run by her daughter, Meg Swansen.
- Knitpicks Yarns
- Knitpicks is a wonderful online store stocking beautiful quality knitting yarns and the well known Knitpicks Options circular needle packs so well beloved of many knitters. Do be aware that they do not send their goods outside the US and Canada.
- Elann
- Elann is another fantastic online knitting shop with a tremendous range of goods. The last time I looked they also stocked knitting machines. Don't forget to check out their free patterns!
Free patterns online
- Knitty
- Knitty is the biggest online e-zine which has now been online for several years. The patterns are free and of the quality shown in the best knitting magazines. There is a superb range of technique articles and a web forum as well. Highly recommended.
- Free Patterns
- This is a rather nice online database of patterns for a wide range of different crafts. The patterns are in PDF format and you need to sign into the site to download them, but I've never had any problems with spam from them.
- Knitting Pattern Central
- This site does its best to link to just about every free pattern on the internet! If it's online it's probably listed here.
Knitting Blogs
- Yarn Harlot
- Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's blog is one of the most popular and is often very entertaining to read!
- Wendy Knits
- Wendy Johnson has another really great blog and I particularly love her generic sock patterns (which are free).
Knitting Lenses
Here are some other knitting lenses I have enjoyed.-
Best in Knitting Art, Techniques - The Weird, Wacky and Wonderful
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We'd like to introduce you to innovative groups we come across, interesting knitting art, new techniques and yes, weird knitting. Alice in Stitches would like to foster all textile and fiber arts and this lens will focus on the knitting world. P...
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Knitting Pretty
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Knit and Crochet
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A guide to the world of knit and crochet on and off the net. It's about fashion, fiber, charity, creativity, color and relaxation. I'll keep an up-to-date list of what to read, buy, visit and how to add to your skills. Photo used with permissio...
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Knitting Basics
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Are you looking to get started in knitting? Some say knitting is a dying art. I sure hope not. There is nothing like home knitted garments. This lens has some great knitting resources and tips to help you on your way.
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Read more about sharing Knitting and Crochet Great Ideas!
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10,000 Great Ideas is a project seeking to collect and share Great Ideas on all things related to the wonderful world of Knitting, Crochet and all things woolly!! We have free patterns, reviews, tips and techniques and you are welcome to come a...
I'd love to know if you enjoyed my lens!
Thanks for the post, it was very informative! I have been making a lot of slip covers for my new cottage, I learned how to at http://www.allaboutslipcovers.com
Posted April 15, 2008
I hope to learn how to hand knit one day. Visit my loom knitting lens at http://www.squidoo.com/theloomybin
Posted January 17, 2008
I've just started knitting a long-length zip-up cardigan at the moment, so I don't dare look at those free patterns just yet. Move away from the mouse... ;-)
Posted September 21, 2007
