I have decided to take up knitting?

Question

I am actually trying to quit smoking and someone told me to get a hobby and I always thought knitting was neat. I have bought a couple of books. But I can't really learn from books. I have found some videos on youtube.com but there really aren't that many. If you know of any good websites that have videos and illustrations please help. Thank you!

Answer 1

Knitting is a great hobby! It does take a bit of practice to get comfortable but stick with it because it does get easier. I was fortunate to have the guidance of my mother when I was young but if you don't have anyone on hand who can offer support there is lots of information on the internet and many patterns that are good for beginners.



You can start by knitting dishcloths at the beginning because if you make mistakes or your tension is inconsistent, it really doesn't matter for an item like that and it still ends up being a useful item that doesn't have to be beautiful.



There are a lot of free patterns out there on the internet and some dishcloth patterns are somewhat more elaborate, so you can practice more advanced stitch patterns once you've mastered the basics (all stitch patterns in knitting are really only variations of two basic stitches). After that you'll be ready for more advanced techniques like shaping (increasing and decreasing) or cables.



I think knitting is ideal when you're trying to quit smoking....I still smoke myself but I do it a LOT less when I'm involved in a knitting project. It works wonderfully for taking your mind off it and giving your hands something to do. Good luck with that and I wish you all the best.

Answer 2

All the referrals that were given to you are good. Another site is for the show "Knitty Gritty" which can be seen on HGTV. The show originated on DIY network and they have great patterns, video how-to's....

Depending on where you live, you may want to also check your local PBS station. Some of these stations have some really helpful knitting shows. One is Knitting Daily, Knit and Crochet Today, and Kids Crafts. If you google any of these shows, they will give you the websites.



Just google the subject "knitting video" and you should get a good list, you may want to also look on ASK.COM

Answer 3

YouTube is not the best place to learn, since they are very poorly done, and there are a few that are clearly wrong.



The best place is http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn-to-knit . She does them very clearly and quite correct. Another set of DVDs is by Lucy Neatby (she has some on YouTube) http://www.lucyneatby.com//index.html There are hundreds of other sites with good instructions, many many books, and untold grandmothers with more experience than you will ever have. They are the best teachers.



Look around in your community for a knitter's guild or a group. You will get lots of help there. Check with your Local Yarn Store (LYS) for beginner classes so you can get the basics, and then the books and videos will be more meaningful.

Answer 4

Lap blankets are truly large. They get donated to nursing properties and homeless shelters. Blankets are a huge project, yet in case you get truly large knitting needles, and use various strands of yarn held at the same time, you may make an entire blanket in very few days. you'll get truly innovative with colour mixtures even as protecting an universal effortless progression. this kind you're literally not getting bored and also you're literally not getting pissed off both. ...And once you're nonetheless prepared to do the progression you stumbled on, the e book the position you purchased the progression ought to have the definitions for each and each of the abbreviations, or any "study a thanks to knit" e book.

Answer 5

I learned from youtube. It took me almost an entire night, maybe 3 hours to actually knit a small 3 inch little peace of fabric (yes there was lots of holes and dropped stitches) but now i can knit pretty well. You should be using like size 10-13 needles to learn. anything smaller its really tough to keep tight and you will get frustrated. anything bigger and you cant really follow what your doing.



this video i learned from. theres a bunch of ways to "cast on" the way this video teaches is the easiest to start knitting and what i usually still use. same with cast off, this video does a great job. Dont get impatient, watch each step a few times before you try it. you should be saying to yourself "ok, loop over finger, then push needle through", once you accomplish that, hold..... watch the video... then continue with saying something like "push off with left needle" ect ect.



just dont be impatient or try to rush it and have fun!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uw-nUvGrBY

Answer 6

I learned on youtue. expertvillage is a really good way to learn. they really helped me. you could also try wikihow. they have pictures on how to do it. That also helped me! I hoped I helped. Happy knitting!

Answer 7

here are a few videos that will teach you the basics, these videos are the best.



knittinghelp.com/videos/cast-on

knittinghelp.com/videos/knit-stitch

knittinghelp.com/videos/purl-stitch

knittinghelp.com/videos/casting-off

Answer 8

Videojug is a great site, i have used it for different stuff. Not sure of exact address, but just type it in and give it a go. It's brill.

Answer 9

knittinghelp.com taught me, they have a multitude of videos