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fenchurchLearning to knit was one of my goals for this year and with only three weeks left, I figured I'd better get a move on.
I've discovered, though, that I'm definitely going to have to find someone locally who can give me some pointers. Because even with pictures, written instructions and a video I can't seem to get the hang of casting on. I've tried it both left- and right-handed, I've tried both English and Continental and I'm still completely flummoxed by the process... although I strongly suspect that it's probably much, much easier than it's appearing to be.
And now I'm really wishing I'd taken the time to pick the brains of either![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
knitress or tomte when I had the chance!
I've discovered, though, that I'm definitely going to have to find someone locally who can give me some pointers. Because even with pictures, written instructions and a video I can't seem to get the hang of casting on. I've tried it both left- and right-handed, I've tried both English and Continental and I'm still completely flummoxed by the process... although I strongly suspect that it's probably much, much easier than it's appearing to be.
And now I'm really wishing I'd taken the time to pick the brains of either
knitress or tomte when I had the chance!
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Date: 2005-12-07 01:33 pm (UTC)Yes, I'm sure it's easier than you're making it out to be. One stumbling block for an absolute beginner is casting on; I usually do the cast on myself and then knit a row or two before showing a newbie the knit stitch. Once they've got that down *then* I teach cast on.
Most of the Local Yarn Stores (not the big chain places like Michaels!) provide both formal scheduled classes and do some low key "drop-in" teaching. I took classes. For just learning the knit stitch, try going in during a non-busy time (eg, during the day during the week). Buy needles and a skein of yarn there and they'll likely show you how to do the basic stitch. You want a plain smooth yarn in a light color, and ideally small (8 or 10") straight needles in bamboo or a smooth wood; I think that short needles are much easier for a beginner. Metal is frequently slippery for a beginner and plastic tends to be sticky.
Check out the "adult learning" options too -- rec centers and the like may sponsor classes.
Sally Melville's book The Knitting Experience: The Knit Stitch has really good diagrams and starts you off with a veryVERY simple cast on (backwards loop). I know several people who pretty much taught themselves from Stitch n Bitch.
And ask at church -- I'd be stunned if someone there doesn't knit!