new to knitting

Karen - posted on 02/02/2010

I crocheted for many years and then decided to conquer my "knitting fears" and just go for it...I am self taught...there are so many recourses if you just start googling...and Ravelry is wonderful! It's great to have many different projects going on at once because then you don't get bored....I tried to do the "picking" Continental style too but have decided that I am just comfortable as a "thrower"....it just "feels" right for me!...look me up on Ravelry, I am meanmomk : )

Kelly - posted on 01/30/2010

You might also try ravelry.com - a great resource.

Britney - posted on 01/01/2010

I have been considering trying Continental as well. I read that it is easier on joints and is faster. As a new knitter, I may as well start now.

Rebecca - posted on 12/31/2009

I was the same - started with crochet (been doing it since I was 10 or 12 on and off, but pretty regularly for the last 4 years or so), then tried my hand at knitting. Right now I'm fine with English knitting, but I'm trying to teach myself Continental knitting (holding the yarn in the left hand as opposed to the right, because you use fewer hand movements when knitting and I have carpal tunnel). I've read that Continental is how most crocheters prefer to knit anyway, because that's how they hold the yarn for crochet. It's taking me longer to re-teach myself Continental knitting than it did to teach myself to knit in the first place. I also have yet to try to tackle a gauged project like a sweater... I tend to do little things like afghan squares, scarves, blankets, and amigurumi.

I always have multiple projects open because I have craft-ADD. LOL!

Britney - posted on 12/29/2009

Thanks for the web site (knittingdaily.com)! It's awesome! I am also a new knitter and starving for new info, tips, patterns...

Danielle - posted on 12/17/2009

I've never loom knitted. I just got the hang of knitting, but have been crocheting for years . . . I subscribed to knittingdaily.com Their videos are what really helped me!

I just found this forum too! Yea!!!!

Andrea - posted on 11/27/2009

I also loom knit. =) I am going to try to start knitting soon, Looks like there is lots of great advice here.

Elliott - posted on 11/25/2008

The tough bit of learning knitting is that, to a certain point, your hands have to learn how to do it before you can be good. Like the difference between having read the Driver's Ed manual and being able to confidently merge on the highway. :->

And it's really frustrating practicing between when your head gets it and when your hands do -- it feels like trying to push spaghetti uphill longways. But between 4 and 6 hours of practice (if you lay them end to end -- half-hour or 15-minute stints are fine) should get your fingers used to the motions enough that you can divert mental resources to more fun stuff like shaping or patterns.

I used to teach knitting; feel free to warn me off if I'm babbling too much. :->

Jenna - posted on 11/25/2008

I'm in the same boat! I started with loom knitting, then learned crochet (less than a year). I'm just now starting to learn knitting and it's tough. I find it slows me down, so I'm less motivated to keep trying. I'm going to try a simple scarf as soon as my yarn arrives. :)

Elliott - posted on 11/21/2008

I've been knitting on and off since I was 8, and I have yet to complete a sweater. Apparently at the armpits lies peril, since there (and sleeve-attachment) is where I tend to careen off the rails messily.

I love making 'gaugeless' items, though, like hats, socks, and afghans, where you just adjust it as you go to make sure it fits.

Anne-Maree - posted on 11/21/2008

I do alright at knitting although I still have not gotten the hang of knitting with a motif in my items, however crochet is something that I have not been able to understand.