A Yahoo Answer Question:
I recently taught myself to knit and it's proven to be quite an addiction.. I recieved some free yarn from my boss but it's going quick, and looking at the price of yarn, it can be awfully expensive... does anyone know anywhere to buy cheap yarn? I'm not looking for wool, or anything like that, just decent quality.
Also, thus far, I have made quite a few scarves and more dishcloths than I really need... each have their own design, so I still enjoy making them, but I would like to learn to knit something else.. so, does anyone know where I can find free, easy to understand knitting patterns?
My Response:
Ooooh, you make me want to pick up my needles just reading this question!
I am not a big fan of "cheap" so much as I am of VALUE. I want good yarn at a good price. Cheap makes me think of fire-engine red acrylic yarn - which has it's place, I'm sure, it's just not good for everything!
If you really want cheap, then go to WalMart, Michaels, JoAnn, etc. (they almost all send out 40 or 50% off coupons regularly.)
My favorite value yarn shop is knitpicks.com. They have great needles (I am on a sock frenzy and have their nickle-plated DPNs and circulars) It sometimes takes a minute to figure out how many balls you need to order, but I've had great success with all of their yarns.
For decadent luxury, find a local yarn shop - google "yarn shop" plus the name of your city. Then visit, touch, and ask questions if they're as friendly as most knitters - they'll love having you stop by!
Lion Bran yarn has tons of free patterns. I have found that I really like the specialty books like "Sensational Knitted Socks" or "Getting Started Knitting Socks." I search Amazon and see which ones look good, then request them from my library!
Also, added value at that local yarn shop - many of them have "home-grown" patterns with samples worked up. You can see/ touch/ feel the finished product AND get a free pattern PLUS appropriate yarn all in one stop. See how wonderful those expert knitters are!!
Have fun! Welcome to the Knitting Adventure! (Go ahead ... read a bit at www.yarnharlot.ca while you're at it. She's the best. With Crazy Aunt Purl!) (google - you'll be glad you did!)
Happy Knitting!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Socks On Circulars: The Least You Need To Know
Crazy Concept: knitting socks with two circular needles. Don't try to visualize, just believe that it works. I followed the directions from "Getting Started Knitting Socks" and whipped out a sock in ONE DAY - I was amazed after MANY hours of laboring over socks on DPNs (love those but I'm really slow with them!)
Then I got all saucy and decided to try two socks at a time on ONE circular. I bought the book "2 at a Time Socks" and a long circular from KnitPicks ... and some of their inexpensive sock yarn. Might I suggest that you order a ball each of two different colors if you want to try this, then follow the directions in "2 at a Time" for their practice socks?
This rocked! ... all of the way to the gusset increases where I completely lost it and had to take one of the socks off and work it on DPNs while the other sock remained on the long circular and made it's way to the foot. Now they're back on and I'm working happily to the toe ... shouldn't have any more troubles.
Tips and Tricks:
Good Books:
Sensational Knitted Socks
Getting Started Knitting Socks
2 at a Time Socks - Note that she has a lot of patterns for socks but doesn't spend a lot of time on the "how-to" of the sock - I think she assumes a certain knowledge of sock knitting and sock anatomy. Having one of the other books handy to help with that will be comforting!
Good Needles:
I like the nickel-plated, 47" circular (the longer the cord, the better for socks) from Knitpicks.
Good Yarn:
Two contrasting, fingering weight yarns for practice socks. I recommend KnitPicks Essentials in a light color to make it easy to see the socks.
Then I got all saucy and decided to try two socks at a time on ONE circular. I bought the book "2 at a Time Socks" and a long circular from KnitPicks ... and some of their inexpensive sock yarn. Might I suggest that you order a ball each of two different colors if you want to try this, then follow the directions in "2 at a Time" for their practice socks?
This rocked! ... all of the way to the gusset increases where I completely lost it and had to take one of the socks off and work it on DPNs while the other sock remained on the long circular and made it's way to the foot. Now they're back on and I'm working happily to the toe ... shouldn't have any more troubles.
Tips and Tricks:
Good Books:
Sensational Knitted Socks
Getting Started Knitting Socks
2 at a Time Socks - Note that she has a lot of patterns for socks but doesn't spend a lot of time on the "how-to" of the sock - I think she assumes a certain knowledge of sock knitting and sock anatomy. Having one of the other books handy to help with that will be comforting!
Good Needles:
I like the nickel-plated, 47" circular (the longer the cord, the better for socks) from Knitpicks.
Good Yarn:
Two contrasting, fingering weight yarns for practice socks. I recommend KnitPicks Essentials in a light color to make it easy to see the socks.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Magic Loop Socks!
Not only Magic Loop - here I go with two at a time on one long circular!
After learning the traditional double-pointed needle method, I think (I need to do some research!) that the two circulars is faster. I am not sure about two at a time -- there is a lot of fussing (rearranging needles halfway through each sock) but then I am doing two at once ... I think I like it! 
Of course I think maybe it would have been a good idea to practice the heel flaps before setting out on Sven's socks ... but I'll jump that bridge when I get there!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
How many stitches should I cast on to knit a full size blanket?
2. Knit a gauge swatch. Multiply stitched per inch x number of inches I want my blanket to be.
(Note: An LL Bean full size quilt measures 85" x 95")
Let's say I'm using Vanna's Choice (I don't like acrylic generally but it makes for a washable blanket) on #9 needles and it works out to 4 stitches to the inch.
4 stitches times 85 inches = 340 stitches to cast on.
That's a lot of knitting. You'll definitely want to use a circular needle to give yourself extra space for the stitches or knit in sections.
You may also want to refer to other posts regarding knit v. crochet ... crochet is a lot faster AND eats yarn. Trade off!
Happy Knitting!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Traitor!
So you've tangled up your first skein of yarn, you are ready to burn those bamboo sticks in the fireplace ... and you're wondering if maybe CROCHET might just be a better fit???
Crochet is probably easier to learn ... it's very flexible. However, it isn't long before you notice that flexibility is also a downside - there are lots of things to do wrong!
Knitting requires a few more tricks: knit/ purl, increase/ decrease but once you figure those out, you're all set. From there, the patterns and needles keep you on track for bigger, more complex projects. After all of that, it does depend upon what you're making.
Take a look through patterns somewhere like Lion Yarns and think about what projects you would like to make. That might be a better guide than "easiest."
I read somewhere that crochet works up 3 times faster but uses 3 times more yarn. Would you prefer one lacy knitted cashmere shawl or an enormous acrylic (if you're looking to spend the same $$ on yarn) blanket?
You can do both. I learned crochet, then knitting. I bounced back and forth between the two (as I grew frustrated with one, I switched to the other) for months before I really began leaning more toward knitting. Either way, have fun!
You might want to check the library for how-to and pattern books. There are a lot of good beginner books but you probably won't need them for long, so the library's a great place to start.
Crochet is probably easier to learn ... it's very flexible. However, it isn't long before you notice that flexibility is also a downside - there are lots of things to do wrong!
Knitting requires a few more tricks: knit/ purl, increase/ decrease but once you figure those out, you're all set. From there, the patterns and needles keep you on track for bigger, more complex projects. After all of that, it does depend upon what you're making.
Take a look through patterns somewhere like Lion Yarns and think about what projects you would like to make. That might be a better guide than "easiest."
I read somewhere that crochet works up 3 times faster but uses 3 times more yarn. Would you prefer one lacy knitted cashmere shawl or an enormous acrylic (if you're looking to spend the same $$ on yarn) blanket?
You can do both. I learned crochet, then knitting. I bounced back and forth between the two (as I grew frustrated with one, I switched to the other) for months before I really began leaning more toward knitting. Either way, have fun!
You might want to check the library for how-to and pattern books. There are a lot of good beginner books but you probably won't need them for long, so the library's a great place to start.
Blankets Sing to Me!
If blankets are your thing and you can't imagine any other project, here's my input:
I have knit several blankets. I find that I like knitting for smaller, finer work like baby blankets and crochet for the big, cozy throws and blankets.
Crochet uses lots more yarn but also works up a lot faster ... knitting a king-sized blanket is a real commitment! (One that would surely end when I poked my own eyes out with my knitting needles, but that's just me - you go right on ahead!)
I have knit several blankets. I find that I like knitting for smaller, finer work like baby blankets and crochet for the big, cozy throws and blankets.
Crochet uses lots more yarn but also works up a lot faster ... knitting a king-sized blanket is a real commitment! (One that would surely end when I poked my own eyes out with my knitting needles, but that's just me - you go right on ahead!)
How to Knit a Scarf
Great idea!
Scarves can be as simple as gathering needles and yarn, casting on some stitches, knitting them until it's scarf length, then casting off.
How to? Well, there are many great sites but I like Lion Brand Yarns because:
Just cast on 20 stitches or so, knit, turn, knit ... count your stitches at the end of each row to make sure you're not adding or dropping any stitches ... when it's coming out relatively even, you're ready for the scarf.
I would suggest a chunky yarn for your first scarf ... like Lion's Thick & Quick with either #13 or #15 needles. It can be a bit unwieldy to work with BUT it works up quickly. Don't forget that 5 or 6 feet of scarf is not a tiny project. You'll be glad about the 3 or 4 foot mark that you've chosen a bigger yarn/ needles!
Happy Knitting!
Scarves can be as simple as gathering needles and yarn, casting on some stitches, knitting them until it's scarf length, then casting off.
How to? Well, there are many great sites but I like Lion Brand Yarns because:
- Their yarns are readily available at the big chain stores - great for beginners.
- They provide volumes of help ... here's "Learn to Knit"http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/
Just cast on 20 stitches or so, knit, turn, knit ... count your stitches at the end of each row to make sure you're not adding or dropping any stitches ... when it's coming out relatively even, you're ready for the scarf.
I would suggest a chunky yarn for your first scarf ... like Lion's Thick & Quick with either #13 or #15 needles. It can be a bit unwieldy to work with BUT it works up quickly. Don't forget that 5 or 6 feet of scarf is not a tiny project. You'll be glad about the 3 or 4 foot mark that you've chosen a bigger yarn/ needles!
Happy Knitting!
Big loops, Tight Stitches, and Other Errata
It's Problem Fixin' Time ...
When people first knit, they over-tighten the stitches - it looks kind of sloppy if you don't, right? But you really can relax and give it some space. Don't panic - let the needles do their job! You may have minor imperfections but they will ease out, be worked out in blocking, OR become beloved marks of your handiwork. Try knitting your whole row a bit more loosely, snug that last one just a wee bit, turn knit 1, snug up just a wee bit ... then knit the rest f the row nice and easy.
Don't be afraid to "scoop out" that stitch on the needle as you're catching the yarn and bring it through for your new stitch, then be generous with your working yarn as you create that new st and slide the old one off.
The one thing that is a little hard to catch up on later is if you let your needles get really far apart ... i.e. if you separate them 6 or 8 inches between stitches (don't laugh, I've seen it done!) Keep them relatively close together and you'll be happier in the end.
When I started knitting, I followed the advice of Knitting for Dummies: I used #9 needles and a light colored, worsted (that's just your average, mid-weight wool) weight wool. The wool has a bit of stretch to it, is a nice, in-between size, and won't make your hands sweaty like acrylic might. The needle size has more to do with your yarn weight (that's how thick or thin it is) than whether you're a beginner or experienced.
You usually want to follow the guidelines on the yarn label (look at the square with the crossed knitting neeedles), but don't get too caught up in it - if it says to use US 8 and you have US 9's at home, it's OK for now. But if you use 17's with a fingering weight yarn, you'll end up with a lacy, airy bit that, while probably not offensive, won't give you the opportunity to really see your stitches forming. Stay within a size or two for now.
We'll re-visit this yarn weight and needle size topic later when you do a project that requires accurate gauge, but for now, get knitting, stay loose, and have fun!
When people first knit, they over-tighten the stitches - it looks kind of sloppy if you don't, right? But you really can relax and give it some space. Don't panic - let the needles do their job! You may have minor imperfections but they will ease out, be worked out in blocking, OR become beloved marks of your handiwork. Try knitting your whole row a bit more loosely, snug that last one just a wee bit, turn knit 1, snug up just a wee bit ... then knit the rest f the row nice and easy.
Don't be afraid to "scoop out" that stitch on the needle as you're catching the yarn and bring it through for your new stitch, then be generous with your working yarn as you create that new st and slide the old one off.
The one thing that is a little hard to catch up on later is if you let your needles get really far apart ... i.e. if you separate them 6 or 8 inches between stitches (don't laugh, I've seen it done!) Keep them relatively close together and you'll be happier in the end.
When I started knitting, I followed the advice of Knitting for Dummies: I used #9 needles and a light colored, worsted (that's just your average, mid-weight wool) weight wool. The wool has a bit of stretch to it, is a nice, in-between size, and won't make your hands sweaty like acrylic might. The needle size has more to do with your yarn weight (that's how thick or thin it is) than whether you're a beginner or experienced.
You usually want to follow the guidelines on the yarn label (look at the square with the crossed knitting neeedles), but don't get too caught up in it - if it says to use US 8 and you have US 9's at home, it's OK for now. But if you use 17's with a fingering weight yarn, you'll end up with a lacy, airy bit that, while probably not offensive, won't give you the opportunity to really see your stitches forming. Stay within a size or two for now.
We'll re-visit this yarn weight and needle size topic later when you do a project that requires accurate gauge, but for now, get knitting, stay loose, and have fun!
Joining New Yarn - Or "I've Run Out of Yarn. Now What?"
No need to rip it apart ... there are many project which require more than a skein of yarn and joining is easy.
The pros tell you that you do this: At the end of a row (if possible, you have to weave in ends and don't want to mess up the middle of a big project), simply hold the old strand plus new strand together, knit/ purl a stitch with the two held together, then drop the old, take up the new and keep going. Voila!
The reality is that I'm a bit paranoid, so even though I know I should trust The Wise Ones of Knitting and just weave those ends in a leave it, I just can't. So I tie the ends together loosely (ignore that and you might have trouble a row or two later on ... ) and then at the end of the project, tie just the teeensiest knot (ACK! That word makes real knitters cringe!) and then weave the ends in with a needle. Happy Knitting!
The pros tell you that you do this: At the end of a row (if possible, you have to weave in ends and don't want to mess up the middle of a big project), simply hold the old strand plus new strand together, knit/ purl a stitch with the two held together, then drop the old, take up the new and keep going. Voila!
The reality is that I'm a bit paranoid, so even though I know I should trust The Wise Ones of Knitting and just weave those ends in a leave it, I just can't. So I tie the ends together loosely (ignore that and you might have trouble a row or two later on ... ) and then at the end of the project, tie just the teeensiest knot (ACK! That word makes real knitters cringe!) and then weave the ends in with a needle. Happy Knitting!
Ready for a Pattern?
First, I must defer to the Queen of Modern Knitting, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Her discussions of scarves, socks, sweaters, etc. is brilliant. I highly recommend backing away from the computer and using whatever means you might have at your disposal to get your hands on "Knitting Rules." Go ahead. I'll wait.
So now that you've covered the basics, you have lots of choices. Please browse through the choices ... the Helpful Links have almost endless options. I'm sure you have a project that's calling to you ... a perky little handbag, a luxurious scarf, maybe a practical but pretty washcloth.
Great! Do it! My words of advice: don't take the "beginner/ intermediate/ advanced" levels too seriously. I now thumb my nose at the increases and decreases that scared me away from more complex patterns for too long. They weren't any harder than those darn knit-purl basket weave patterns I was "practicing" ad nauseum.
If the pattern calls for a new skill, pull out your practice wool and give it a try. Really, are you going to let a little "K2tg" stand between you and the lacy scarf of your dreams? Remember, it's only yarn. There are no knitting police. No one will judge your knitting ... unless you enter it in the county fair. Do as you see fit.
Happy Knitting!
P.S. A blanket is a BIG project for knitting. I'm just saying.
So now that you've covered the basics, you have lots of choices. Please browse through the choices ... the Helpful Links have almost endless options. I'm sure you have a project that's calling to you ... a perky little handbag, a luxurious scarf, maybe a practical but pretty washcloth.
Great! Do it! My words of advice: don't take the "beginner/ intermediate/ advanced" levels too seriously. I now thumb my nose at the increases and decreases that scared me away from more complex patterns for too long. They weren't any harder than those darn knit-purl basket weave patterns I was "practicing" ad nauseum.
If the pattern calls for a new skill, pull out your practice wool and give it a try. Really, are you going to let a little "K2tg" stand between you and the lacy scarf of your dreams? Remember, it's only yarn. There are no knitting police. No one will judge your knitting ... unless you enter it in the county fair. Do as you see fit.
Happy Knitting!
P.S. A blanket is a BIG project for knitting. I'm just saying.
How to Begin ...
For beginning knitters, I recommend some plain, light-colored, worsted weight (that's the "regular" stuff - not too thick, not too thin) wool and some #8 or #9 needles. Don't get too caught up in the exact size specified on your label (we'll get more into that later.)
Practice casting on and knitting until you have the hang of it. Be sure to count your stitches at the end of each row to make sure you're not adding/ deleting any stitches as you go.
Then review your source - be it books or online guide (see sidebar for sources) - and give purling a hand. Note that purling requires that your yarn be at the FRONT of your needles before you work the stitch ... forgetting this is the cause of many beginners adding stitches they didn't mean to add!
Notice that you really don't need to have a pattern or even a goal in mind at this point. Please don't set out to make a sweater or a king-sized blanket - it's really quite pleasant to just work through some yarn until you get a feel for knitting and purling. Soon your stitches will begin to have a wonderful evenness to them - then you're ready to start fussing with patterns and such!
Practice casting on and knitting until you have the hang of it. Be sure to count your stitches at the end of each row to make sure you're not adding/ deleting any stitches as you go.
Then review your source - be it books or online guide (see sidebar for sources) - and give purling a hand. Note that purling requires that your yarn be at the FRONT of your needles before you work the stitch ... forgetting this is the cause of many beginners adding stitches they didn't mean to add!
Notice that you really don't need to have a pattern or even a goal in mind at this point. Please don't set out to make a sweater or a king-sized blanket - it's really quite pleasant to just work through some yarn until you get a feel for knitting and purling. Soon your stitches will begin to have a wonderful evenness to them - then you're ready to start fussing with patterns and such!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
So You Want to Learn to Knit
Beginning to knit is so exciting! And a bit confusing, frustrating, and just generally tangly!
There are some wonderful sites for beginning knitters:
Lion Brand Yarns has a comprehensive"how-to" file and loads of patterns. The pattern finder allows you to narrow your searches: try "knit, free, beginner" and see what comes up!
Knitting Pattern Central
knitty is a cute one
Ravelry is the myspace of knitting ... request an invite now - you won't be sorry!
I have found books to be useful - somehow I am so much better at following them than the online guides when I'm trying something really tricky. Please feel free to browse my Shelfari shelf - my knitting faves are there!
And please head over to my main blog - I have my knitting shops and more favorite sites there!
There are some wonderful sites for beginning knitters:
Lion Brand Yarns has a comprehensive"how-to" file and loads of patterns. The pattern finder allows you to narrow your searches: try "knit, free, beginner" and see what comes up!
Knitting Pattern Central
knitty is a cute one
Ravelry is the myspace of knitting ... request an invite now - you won't be sorry!
I have found books to be useful - somehow I am so much better at following them than the online guides when I'm trying something really tricky. Please feel free to browse my Shelfari shelf - my knitting faves are there!
And please head over to my main blog - I have my knitting shops and more favorite sites there!
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