Learning to Knit - Some Advice For People Who Would Like to Learn

Written by Debbie Simpson

Gone are the days where knitting was a skill passed from one generation to another or a subject at school! It seems like only yesterday the thinking was that knitting was a hobby for little old ladies, but finally the times are changing!!! Knitting is not only popular but some would say one of the latest crazes of the 21st century.

I have found that knitting is definitely not just for those born before 1940! I was 26 when I first learnt to knit and I find immense pleasure in the hobby. Not only is it fun to do, but you can feel really proud of yourself when you look down and see the work of art you have just created and enjoy the complements from family and friends when they see what you have created!!!

So how do you make a start? Well there are some brilliant instructional books on the market and plenty of information available on the super highway we call the internet!!! These are all helpful but I found the best way to learn was to observe and be taught by someone who can already knit!!

Fortunately I was in a position where a close friend was a pro knitter and she got me started. I had tried to learn from books and found that I had learnt certain stitches all wrong and picked up some bad techniques, particularly with regard to the way I held my needles. There is a lot to be said for just sitting and watching someone else knit!!!

The other plus to learning in this way is that right from the start you learn the correct techniques which equates to seeing results almost straight away. You can look down and see with pride, that you have successfully cast on and knitted your first row!!! Nothing more inspiring!!!

Now - to find someone to teach you?

With any luck you will have a relative who still possesses this skill - a grandmother or aunty or even grandfather!. If you're fresh out of friends or family there are often local community craft groups that you can find and some church organizations often have their own craft groups and they are usually more than happy to welcome new comers.

Once you begin to learn the basics make sure you pick a project that is realistic and you are really interested in. For me, I love knitting toys and there are some great patterns for toys out there. A project will keep you focused and interested in knitting, instead of just practicing endless amounts of different stitches for the sake of learning. You will learn new things as you need to for each project you can tackle.

To find a pattern that is realistic for you, you should carefully peruse your pattern and make sure you can understand what it all means and that you have learnt each stitch and technique that is required before you begin. Reading patterns is another invaluable skill that another experienced knitter can help you with.

Another piece of advise for all new knitters is to resist the urge to knit and knit and knit for hours on end (which is very tempting to do when you're enjoying the novelty of your new skill). This can lead to some seriously sore wrist, fingers, arms, necks, shoulders and backs!!!

In closing I would like to wish you all happy knitting. May you enjoy knitting as much as I do!