Learn to do Hand Knitting
Ranked #14,895 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #226,089 overall
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!
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!
eBay is a great source for knitting yarns and more!
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
I'd love to know if you enjoyed my lens!
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Gail47
Nov 5, 2010 @ 7:15 am | delete
- I used to knit and crochet for many years. Been too busy recently, but I sure do miss it. Found you through B/O editors forum. Great lens you have here - leaving Angel dust for you!
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my_never_bored_hands
Oct 26, 2010 @ 9:51 pm | delete
- Very informative lens, thanks.
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CJM1957
Jan 16, 2009 @ 10:38 pm | delete
- Nice Lens.
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badmsm Aug 20, 2008 @ 12:38 am | delete
- Great job Gillie! Welcome to the Fiber Arts Forum
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tarap
Apr 15, 2008 @ 1:51 pm | delete
- 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
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by Gillie2tat
I'm passionately interested in needlecrafts and write as the Classical Music Editor for BellaOnline. I also collect teddy bears, Sasha dolls, playing cards... more »
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