Knitting 101

I tried to teach myself to knit a couple years ago from a book I bought.  After a couple failed attempts, I took a class.  And from then on, I've been knitting up a storm.  After getting the hang of it, I found knitting to be very therapeutic and relaxing.  I would take my knitting everywhere.  I got a lot of knitting done while waiting at the doctor's office (for the zillion of prenatal visits I had).  I knit while my husband watches tv (much easier to do than try to read and we can hang out in the same room).  The first winter after I learned how to knit, everyone got a scarf.  This year it was hats. 

If you are thinking about taking up knitting here are some tips:

1. Take a class.  I made a couple attempts at trying to teach myself from a book and I could never figure it out.  It was a piece of cake once I took a class and had someone show me with the needles and yarn in my hands and helping me with my mistakes.  Once I learned the two basic stitches (knit and purl) and casting on and off, I was off and running.  The other stitches are easy to pick up from a book.  Most knitting stores offer beginner classes.  I've also seen knitting offered through some city parks and recreation programs.   If you don't want to take a class, have a friend teach you.  They work to your schedule and it saves you some money.  I've taught a couple people to knit.  I taught my sister and now she knits circles around me.

2.  Needles.  My first pair of needles was a straight acrylic size 9.  Perfect for a beginner because the yarn doesn't go flying off. My favorite needles are the circular Skacel addiTurbo needles.  They are so slick; I can go really fast with them.  Susan Bates Quicksilver circulars are similar and cheaper.  For double pointed needles, I like the Crystal Palace Bamboo needles.  They have just the right slickness to work with when you need double pointed needles (for example, finishing off a hat).  Great needles, like the addiTurbos are really expensive, so I have added to my collection as I graduated from the basic scarf to hats and other apparel.  About half of my needle collection is hand me downs from my grandmother.  They are still in pretty good condition.  I've heard that garage sales are a great place to pick up knitting needles.

3.  Yarn.  When you are just learning, any cheap yarn is good practice yarn.  Don't go buying a skein (ball) of $20 yarn to learn how to knit on, save that for the scarf you knit your mom for her birthday.  Any craft store (like Michael's) has a good selection of cheap yarns.  When you are ready for your first project that you think you might wear (or give as a gift), then you are ready for the good stuff.  In the Bay Area most downtown area main streets have a knitting store.  My favorite is Knitting Arts in Saratoga.  I love the ambiance of the store and the staff is so helpful.  They have a fabulous collection of yarn and there's always new stuff because they have great sales every few months to turn over their stock.  Someone is always available to answer you questions (they even have a "Knitting Doctor") and they have knitting and crocheting classes.

4.  Books.  Once you have the basics down, you'll need a book to help you with new stitches and give you some patterns for projects.  Stitch 'N Bitch:The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stroller is a great book.  It gives great step by step instructions and stylish patterns for beginners and also the advanced knitters. The sequel Stitch 'n Bitch Nation is also a good buy.  When you get more advanced and are planning your own patterns or want to keep track of your supplies Stitch 'N Bitch A Knitter's Design Journal : A Knitter's Design Journal by Debbie Stroller is a handy thing to have in your knitting bag.  You can design your own projects or download ones from the internet, but you need a book as a reference tool.

5. Knitting Bag.  So where do you put your masterpiece in progress and handy knitting journal?  Why a knitting bag, of course.  You can use any old bag that will fit your gear, but if you want to look chic while toting your knitting around town there are bags designed to hold it all.  Most are made wide to fit those long needles and have pockets for your little things (tape measurer, scissors, stitch markers).  I have my eyes on one of these: In the Bag , but am currently using an old diaper bag.  One hint for storing your yarn, use ziplock baggies.  I store my yarn individually in baggies, and when I'm working with them I leave them in the baggie with just the string coming out of a small opening.  This keeps your yarn from getting all tangled up and dirty.

Happy Knitting!