I Did It! You Can, Too!
Where to Start?
- Knitting: The first stitch you'll learn and the easiest.
- Purling: Think of this as "knitting in reverse" because basically, that's what you're doing with your needles when you purl.
- Garter Stitch: If you were to make a scarf just using the knit stitch as you worked back and forth, then this would be called a "garter" stitch. It's also makes reversible fabric. This is one reason why a scarf makes a good first project for you to learn how to knit!
- Stockinette Stitch: When you knit on one side of your work and purl on the other, you begin to make something that resembles a sweater, called "stockinette." Go to your closet and check it out--You'll see what I mean. Purls are the "bumpy" side, knit stitches look like little "V" shapes.
- SSK, YO, PSSO, K2tog, M1, etc.: Don't worry about these right now. You need to get good at the basics! How's that scarf coming along? Once you're done with that, then you can look these acronyms up and find out what they mean. I'll tell you their secret right now: these techniques will either increase or decrease the number of stitches on your needles by adding a stitch or grouping them together.
Learn Which Style to Start With
And you may hear a few words you've never heard before in this video, but rest assured, you'll learn them all in time. For now, just watch and learn.
Continental knitting demo
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, host of the CraftSanity podcast, visits Lorilee Beltman, owner of City Knitting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a quick "Continental" knitting lesson. As a veteran "thrower" or English style knitter, Jennifer didn't want to pass up the opportunity to see how the other half knit. She brought her video camera along to record the tutorial for all of you.
Runtime: 9:48
301679 views
10 Comments:
My Favorite Source of Knitting Help
Then I found KnittingHelp.com and the rest was history! I learned how to knit, purl and do the moss stitch from this wonderful website. Not only is there a video for every stitch, there's one for knitting English and one for knitting Continental!
Here are some helpful links to get you started.
- Basic Techniques: Cast-on
- Learn all about casting-on here.
- Basic Techniques: Knit
- Learn how to knit here.
- Basic Techniques: Purl
- Learn how to purl here.
- Basic Techniques: Increasing
- Learn how to make a increasing stitch here.
- Basic Techniques: Decreasing
- Learn how to make a decreasing stitch here.
I Highly Recommend:
Clover Takumi Tapestry 13-Inch - 14-Inch Single Point Gift Set, 7 Needles Per Set
Gift set consists of one pair each of bamboo knitting needles in sizes 8, 9, 10, 10-1/2, 11, 13 and 15.
Amazon Price: $36.28 (as of 07/14/2009) 
The Long-Tail Cast-on
Watch and learn!
Debbie Bliss' Inspirational Books
Special Knits: 22 Gorgeous Handknits for Babies and Toddlers
Top knitwear designer Debbie Bliss presents a collection for newborns that will be cherished and handed down for years to come, from blankets and sweaters to hats and bootees, all using soft, snuggly yarns.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)
Debbie Bliss Home: 27 Hand Knits For Living
From top knitwear designer Debbie Bliss comes this fabulous new collection of 26 designs for your and your home, from bags and scarves to throws, cushions, and rugs.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)
Easy Knits: Over 25 Simple Designs for Babies, Children and Adults
Would you like to knit something gorgeous for a new baby, but don't have weeks to spend on it? Or are you relatively new to knitting and looking for a simple, foolproof design that will give you great results? Easy Knits is a fantastic collection of over 25 simple designs for babies, children and adults.
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 07/14/2009)
Family Knits: 25 Handknits for All Seasons
Family Knits is a heartwarming collection of hand-knit designs that celebrate making time for family and friends. From a women's delicate summer cardigan and a chunky weekend sweater, to a pint-sized hooded Guernsey for boys, to a rugged man's pullover, Debbie's latest book features styles for adults and children for every season.
Amazon Price: $21.86 (as of 07/14/2009)
Quick Baby Knits: Over 25 Quick and Easy Designs for 0-3 year olds
A collection of quick and easy designs, perfect for first-time knitters and everyone with limited time. Includes a wide range of delightful ideas, from a baby blnaket and ballerina cardigan to a stylish hooded sweater and zipped jacket. Every design is illustrated in irresistible color photography.
Amazon Price: $17.21 (as of 07/14/2009)
Why Do You Like Knitting?
There are so many reasons! Cast your vote below. Or, if you have a reason I haven't listed here, be sure to add it!
It's Practical
You like having a hands-on approach to clothing yourself.2 points
It's Infinite
There is just so much you can do with a pair of needles and some yarn... and not enough time in which to knit them all!1 point
It's Fun
You don't know how to describe your love for knitting other than the glee you have when you think about it.0 points
Knitty - The Digital Magazine for Knitters
All knitting fanatics should know about Knitty. Do you?Knitty is an on-line magazine that is published seasonally (four times a year). It includes free patterns made by real people who've submitted their designs and are sharing them with you for your own personal knitting enjoyment. Want to see what it's all about? Check out Knitty now!
The Knitty Blog
Keep up to date with all things Knitty at the Knitty Blog:
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Rockin' Knitting Bloggers
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Not too long ago, there was a challenge issued across the web to nominate your favorite bloggin' rockstars and give them a little badge so that they (and everyone else) would know that they rocked. I thought this would make a great idea for a lens, s...
Find Homespun Yarn on eBay!
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Look! Knitting is for Geeks!
More Yummy Yarn Books
One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit or Crochet
These knitted and crocheted fashion accessories and decorative accents for the home vary in their required levels of skill, but all can be completed quickly and require only one skein of yarn. The stitch patterns and clear instructions make it easy for even procrastinators and the less-than-diligent to create a ruffled cravat, a drawstring bag, a tank top, cozy scarves, arm and leg warmers, lace wristlets, fingerless gloves, a mohair pillow, and even a sweater for a baby. Several projects do not require any new yarn at all-instead projects such as the Felted Striped Tote or the Labyrinth Circle Rug are designed using up a skein's worth of leftovers from other projects. A guide to terms and techniques, a resource directory, and a bibliography are also included.
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/14/2009)
Knitting Never Felt Better: The Definitive Guide to Fabulous Felting
With her signature style, the bestselling and beloved needlework author Nicky Epstein offers the best guide to felting. Using ten chic garments and more than 150 stunning sample swatches as examples, she covers the top techniques for turning wool yarn into vibrant and dense textures. Before and after shots show how different fabrics react to the process, and there are patterns, stitches, and techniques for lace, mosaics, cables, plaids, checks, and quilting. Create bobbles, appliqués, and ruffles; combine yarns; and use clamps, marbles, cords, braids, and more to form three-dimensional shapes in the felt. Epstein also presents her unique ideas for transforming old clothes and accessories, using one sweater to demonstrate many design possibilities. An array of attractive home décor projects completes the collection beautifully.
Amazon Price: $21.86 (as of 07/14/2009)
Knit 2 Together: Patterns and Stories for Serious Knitting Fun
Passionate and funny, serious and spirited, Knit 2 Together features lively lessons for beginners and more than 30 original designs for knitters of all abilities and stripes-from witches britches and house slippers to a saucy apron and a table skirt. Complete with sidebars and vibrant color photographs, the book also relates Ullman's personal stories and reflections on her life in knitting. This one-of-a-kind brainchild of two perfectly matched creators-one a master of knitting, the other a master of wit-is sure to delight veteran and novice alike.
Amazon Price: $16.01 (as of 07/14/2009)
Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume One: Knit & Purl: The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary from the Editors of Vogue Knitting Magazine (Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Series)
An essential reference for knitters from novice to expert, this fully illustrated sourcebook is the first of three "stitch dictionaries," to be written by the professionals at Vogue® Knitting. Some 300 stitches are detailed, and hundreds of charts, photographs, and illustrations make it easy to understand how to construct each stitch, as well as the ways they can be used in projects. The experts at Vogue® Knitting demonstrate rib stitches such as brioche, herringbone, chevron, and quilted patterns; traveling patterns like parquet, ripple, and diamond stitches; lace, including daisy and wave patterns; and such unusual stitches as eye of lynx, bobble block, peppercorn, and bamboo. The most complete book of its kind, this is the definitive stitch reference!
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/14/2009)
Knitting Little Luxuries: Beautiful Accessories to Knit
Learn to pamper friends and loved ones with lavish and fun knitted gifts. Projects are broken down into four different categories by style and include hats, mittens, purses, wraps, tops, sweaters, and socks-all of which are simple to make and require minimal yarn. Tips are provided for embellishing each project with different fabrics, edgings, and stitching patterns, making personalization easy, even for novices. Beautiful photographs and color illustrations detailing how to create each piece, as well as contemporary designs and small, quick projects make this guide a must-have for the gift-giving knitter.
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 07/14/2009)
Vote!
The Guestbook
So, did you find yourself a new hobby? Or just another pretty lens? Either way, say hello!
Debmarie wrote...
Hi!
I learned to knit when I was 16. I love to watch Knitty Gritty on the DIY network. Wish I could do more now but it is a goal o'mine for the future.
Posted June 29, 2008
hmahines wrote...
This is a great lens! I once taught myself through the internet how to knit, so this is a nice refresher!
Posted November 23, 2007
by webseitler
I'm a wife and mother of two who loves digital scrapbooking, rubber stamping, homey goodness, blogging oh--and Jesus, too! I'm married to lensmaster T...
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