Learn To Knit On YouTube

I'm going to share with you some of the videos I used to learn how to cast on and learn how to knit by the continental method. Knitting isn't so hard to learn when you can "rewind" the video, or stop it to see what's going on! WOW!

I was able to try out several different ways of casting on until I found the way that works for me. Now it's easy peezy and I can fly.

Even better, I realized why I had such a hard time learning how to knit before. It was just too awkward for me and I couldn't "get it." Now, I learned the continental method, also called "picking," where you hold the yarn in your left hand - and WOW again! It just feels more like crocheting. Once I got that down...the needles really started flying!

Now I'm working on getting the basic knitting stitches down, and there won't be any stopping me! But that's another story...

What do you need to get started?

*knitting needles; probably at least a size 9 or 10 pair. I would recommend the bamboo needles. This was another problem I had, was trying to use the aluminum needles which are too slippery - or at least they are for me.

*a good soft yarn; worsted weight; your favorite brand. For learning, I just grabbed a skein of yarn out of my bulging stash. LOL

*your computer and internet connection to watch the YouTube videos. Me, I just pulled up a comfy chair to my desk and played them on my laptop while I practiced. It worked really well!

Casting on in knitting doesn't have anything to do with fish. LOL - sorry that was a REALLY bad joke. Let's try that again...casting on in knitting just means getting your base stitches, or the first stitches on one of the needles.

The first thing I learned was that there are dozens of ways of casting on. Oh my! So, the best thing to do is to try different ones and see which one is the most comfortable for you.

There are two styles of knitting, based on how the yarn is held and worked. The Continental method or the American method. Choosing between them is basically a matter of preference.

After years of failing at the American method, I learned the continental method in one evening. Personally, I believe the stitches are more uniform and the tension in the yarn is easier to control. The videos I'll show you instruct you to wrap the yarn around your pinkie finger as well as your hand. I've even stopped doing that as I've gotten used to the stitch. But remember, I've crocheted for 30 years (*cough*...ok a little longer), so I'm used to controlling yarn tension.

I also think you have to be as comfortable as possible with your choice because you'll want it to become second nature to you for speed later. You'll see what I mean as you try them out.

Following the videos in this section, you'll also learn the knit or "garter" stitch in each style or method. It's the basic stitch for knitting. Cool, eh?

Now it's time to learn the second basic stitch in knitting ~ the purl stitch. Just a tiny bit awkward at first, but easy to pick up. The purl stitch is also called stockinette or stocking stitch. With this, you alternate between knit and purl stitches on the same or different rows to create different effects.