Tips for Learning How to Knit
Knitting is a wonderful hobby that can be used to make gifts, clothing and items for your home. It is an activity that can go with you, and makes the perfect choice when you are waiting at ballet class or in the carpool line at school. It is not terribly difficult to learn how to knit basic items, and as your skill increases you can find patterns that are complex enough to accommodate your growth and hold your interest. But before you head to the craft store to pick up your first pair of needles and a skein of yarn, there are some tips that will make learning how to knit a little bit easier.
You can learn how to knit from a variety of sources, including an instructor, an instructional DVD or a book. It helps if you have someone in your social circle who already knows how to knit, so that you can get help if you get stuck on a particular stitch or technique. There are plenty of great books that can teach you how to knit, but make sure you get one with plenty of illustrations that can help to walk you through the steps. In addition to your instruction, you will need a few basic supplies to get started.
Choosing Needles and Yarn
One of the reasons that many people decide they want to learn how to knit is the glorious array of yarns in an assortment of colors and textures today. However, when you are just starting out, the best yarn to use is wool or acrylic worsted weight yarn of a single shade. This type of yarn is easy to work with because it doesn't split or ravel easily and you can clearly see your stitches to keep track of your rows. There are many fabulous acrylic yarns that can make up into quite luxurious scarves and sweaters, so shop around at yarn and craft stores for the best selection.
When choosing your knitting needles, you can opt for the traditional wood or go for the sleek aluminum tools. The aluminum can be a bit easier to slide your stitches on and off, but this can also make it easier to drop stitches when you are first learning how to knit. The most important part of purchasing your needles is to get the right size. The best sizes for beginners are generally in the 8-10 range. This is also the optimal size for working with the worsted weight yarns that are recommended for beginners.
Once you have collected your supplies, choose a project to work on. This is a better way to learn to knit because you will feel that you are actually accomplishing something instead of simply creating a bunch of little squares that you will never use for anything. Choose something simple and rectangular, like a scarf or dish towel. After you learn how to knit, you may find that this is a hobby you simply love too much to stop!
