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!

The Ancient Art of Knitting

By Michael L Leigh 

Unlikely though it may have seemed a few years ago, it now seems that the ancient pastime of knitting, borne out of necessity through the centuries, has now been given a new lease of life with many, including celebrities, busy clicking their knitting needles at every spare opportunity. It seems that after the 'naughties', the next decade may be the decade of creating ones own wardrobe, with sewing, knitting and crocheting all seeing a great surge in popularity, and it can't all be just down to the credit crunch, with many of the more 'well off' sections of society joining the trend.

Of course, one very important issue is fashion. It appears that as soon as the fleece jackets and jumpers appeared on the scene, the hand-knitted garment was soon thrown out in favor of a machine washable, tumble dry-able, easy wearable piece of clothing which was just as stylish and warm, but more trendy and in keeping with our busy modern lives. Well, they've been around for many years now, and the tables seem to be turning a little, with a definite turn towards the fashion of more traditional hand knitted garments, some big and chunky, some delicate and lacy (not at all like your Grandmother knitted for you as a child).

We were all (well, most of us anyway) taught the basics as a child, knit one, purl one, knit two together, and as soon as you see a pattern it will all come flooding back to you, the language of knit. It really isn't difficult and you'll be amazed at how quickly you learn to make a quite intricate looking pattern if you so desire.

So, get the pictures of Grandmother out of your head, find a stylish pattern, pick up your needles and get at it. You can do it almost anywhere, while you're watching TV (if it's nothing too complicated) or traveling. You'll get such a feeling of satisfaction being able to walk out in style, in something of your own making from start to finish and soon all of your friends will be at it too.

If you enjoyed this article check out some of my other work at majorica pearl necklace or my other site on pink shag rug. I hope you found this article informative and entertaining.

What is Crochet?

By Rhelena R. 

Crochet is a way of making fabric from yarn or crochet thread by using a crochet hook. The word crochet actually means 'hook'.

When starting a crochet project, you simply start off with a slip knot, insert the crochet hook through the loop, wrap the yarn around the hook, and pull it through the first loop. Continue wrapping the yarn over the hook and pulling it through the previous loop until you have reached a desirable length. Each loop as it is passed through the previous loop is called a chain.

Once the chains have been made you can join the last chain to the first chain with a slip knot to form a circle and work in rounds, or you can simply turn the chains and work in rows. When working in rows the work gets turned at the end of every row, but when working in rounds you have the option as to whether you want to turn or not. The patterns will let you know when and when not to turn.

A crochet stitch is made when the yarn is wrapped around the hook, and one or more loops is pulled through the chain, or the stitches from the previous row, or previous round. The great thing about crochet is that at the end of each stitch there is only one active loop remaining on the hook.

With crocheting you can create all kinds of neat fabrics such as doilies, table cloths, bedspreads and afghans. Plus you can make your own clothes; anything like sweaters, ponchos, skirts, scarves, hats, headbands, socks and slippers. Other items such as bags, purses, dish cloths, place mats, and napkins can also be crocheted.

There are many tutorials on how to crochet online, especially on websites like YouTube.com. There are also many free crochet patterns available online, or you can buy pattern books at your local yarn store.

Patterns will usually tell you what kind of yarn and what size crochet hook to use. Thick yarn requires a larger size crochet hook, while thin yarn or crochet thread are worked with a smaller hook.

Learning how to crochet can be tricky; the yarn has to be held with one hand, and the crochet hook with the other, and both have to work together to bring the finished project about. Crocheting can be very time consuming for those just learning to crochet, but speed is increased with regular practice. It can also get frustrating at the beginning, but eventually as one becomes one with the yarn and hook it is actually very relaxing, and can even relieve stress.