Comments on: Knitting 101

By: Scooter

Scooter — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:49:29 +0000

Katy, I agree, just jump in! There’s also a really great site you (and any others who are interested in starting) should check out.

http://www.knittinghelp.com/

She has videos of different basic techniques, like how to start and how to knit and purl, all the way through more intermediate and advanced techniques, like adding color, doing cables, and knitting socks.

By: jenahdawn

jenahdawn — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:04:42 +0000

Katy, just jump in and do it!!!

By: Katy

Katy — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:21:28 +0000

I hope to learn how to knit over the next month or so. I don’t know anyone locally that can teach me so I’m thinking of trying out a class. I’m really looking forward to it.

By: Scooter

Scooter — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:56:25 +0000

Jenahdawn, glad you liked the topic! I taught myself to crochet this past year, and it has its pros and cons. I like that you can use it to add designs or edges to a knitted piece. I’ve got to admit it’s kind of frustrating for me, because I’m a really fast knitter and crocheting just seems much slower to me. I’m sure it would get faster over time, but I’m not sure if it would ever match my knitting speed! I think I tend to prefer the look of knitting to crocheting, too. (Sorry, crocheters, please don’t take offense!)

By: jenahdawn

jenahdawn — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:32:57 +0000

Scooter, I just want to thank you for putting one of my favorite habits “out there”!!!

I’ve been knitting for over 20 years.

Do you know how to crochet? If so, I am assuming, like me, you learned AFTER learning how to knit (since we were so young). Just wondering if you found it just as hard at first as I did. Now it’s one of my other addictions!!!!

By: Scooter

Scooter — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:40:35 +0000

zhannushka, they’re very similar! In crocheting, you wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the stitch below to make a new stitch. And then you pull the yarn through that to leave one stitch on the hook (sc). Same thing with knitting, but instead of pulling the yarn through that last time, you leave the stitch on the needle and go on to the next one. So you end up with them all on the needle. I hope that description makes sense, but it you look at it that way it might help you see what’s going on in knitting.

By: zhannushka

zhannushka — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:21:56 +0000

I’ve also tried knitting, but never got a hang of it. I’ve been crocheting for years though. A friend of mine knits very well - I should ask her to show me a few things one day, maybe I can finally learn it…

By: Scooter

Scooter — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:54:13 +0000

Jennylou, I like knitting better than crocheting, myself! It definitely helps to have someone there to help you figure out some of your questions when you first start. If you don’t have a friend who knits, there are basic knitting classes that would help.

Kari, you should try it! It’s easier than you’d think.

Littlefredpunkinhead, if your stitches are getting too tight or changing sizes, it’s because of how tightly you’re holding the yarn. When you wrap the yarn around the needle, you can do it with a gentle tension, you don’t always have to pull it tightly. After you pull the yarn through the stitch (when you’re moving on to the next stitch), practice with keeping the yarn in your right hand at the same level of loose tension each time. Also, make sure you cast on your stitches loosely when starting a project. Otherwise your first row will be really tight and set you up for some problems with keeping it even.

By: littelfredpunkinhead

littelfredpunkinhead — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:01:06 +0000

Any hints for how to keep your stitches from getting too tight? I learned to knit but have a hard time keeping a consistent stitch- they get smaller and smaller and smaller… So I switched to crocheting, but I’d love to learn to knit better!

By: kari

kari — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:39:53 +0000

I’ve always wanted to do this. It seems so relaxing.