How hard is knitting?

Question

I was taught how to knit as a child but never had the chance to keep it going. I've completely forgot everything i was shown & would like to learn how to knit again so i can make a few things for my baby to treasure & pass down when she has kids.

Is it something i can learn from a book as i have no one to show me & can't afford to pay someone. Also what basic items will i need to begin & can you recommend a good book thats easy to follow.
Thanks :o)

Answer 1

Its not hard and I enjoy knitting (very relaxing to do in the evening in front of the TV when my son has gone to bed!) although I stick to basic patterns and projects, I'mnot very good at fancy stitches, cabling and the like!

Baby things are great to start off with as they are not time consuming to knit and also not that expensive - you don't need a lot of yarn for baby things, so you don't have to worry about spending a fortune on yarn for a project you never finish. I'm doing a "Hallowe'en Devil" hat for my 10 month old son at the moment!! If you google free baby knitting patterns online you will find loads of really cute little hats, jackets, toys, etc to start off with. You can even use oddments of yarn for small projects - ask any friends, neighbours or relatives who knit to donate their left over bits! I often pick up small amounts of yarn for baby items from charity shops - 50p a ball! Its a really inexpensive hobby.

You could even start off knitting a simple baby blanket, or knitting lots of coloured squares and joining them together to make a "patchwork effect" blanket from lots of coloured oddments of wool to go on your baby's cot. A good way to start off and get used to knittng before you invest in expensive yarn and try a more challenging project.

The only thing with learning from a book is that the photos can be a bit confusing and its easier to watch someone do it. Do you have a craft or wool shop nearby? Get a book and try to follow the instructions and if you get stuck go along to the wool shop and ask the lady behind the counter to show you, they are normally only too happy (especially if you buy something!)

Its not hard at all!

EDIT: Here's a nice and very very simple "heirloom" you could start with. Its a "special date" baby blanket.

http://knitting.about.com/od/patternsforbabies/p/special_blanket.htm

Answer 2

If you knew how to knit and purl as a child it will come back to you fairly easily, but like all skills requiring manual dexterity it does have a learning curve. It isn't difficult to learn, but you will have to make your hands remember it. There are some excellent learn to knit books out there and there are even some excellent and inexpensive learn to knit DVDs available (less than $20) that not only tell you how to knit, but show you as well and can be replayed until you get it. There are also a number of pretty decent knitting videos on YouTube, too.

If you're going to make what you hope will be heirlooms, though, let me suggest that you use a natural fiber, wool, cashmere, cotton or linen (the last two are not as easy to work with as they have no ease in the yarn, though). In my own experience my son's heirloom christening gown made from acryllic rotted over time and is now only a lovely memory. Natural fibers tend to stand up better.

Answer 3

my favorite beginning knitting book is Stitch n' Bit@h. the illustrations are clear, the book is fun to read, and they have some cute patterns. If you want to look on line, I recommend going to knittinghelp.com, which has on-line videos that show you how to get started. you can re run the video several times in order to get the stitches straight in your mind. I have also found some good video instructions on Youtube, and on expertvillage.com.
The basic items you need are knitting needles, a smooth yarn (not a novelty yarn, too hard for a first project) a measuring tape, and scissors. Some really easy first projects are baby wash cloths, you knit squares in a nice cotton yarn. The mistakes will not make a difference, you have made something useful, and you have not involved too much time.
When you are ready to move on to other things for baby, there are alot of patterns on the web. I knit two baby sweaters from patterns on the web. if you search for the Five hour sweater, it is really cute, and only takes a little time. (about 8 hours for me, I am not a fast knitter, and i was not in a hurry, anyway!)
Use the best yarn you can afford, there are good deals at yard sales and on e-bay. Once you invest time in something, it is a good idea to like what you make! I once made a sweater in remarkably ugly cheap yarn, then I had to wear it, cuz what else was I going to do?
It is a relaxing and soothing hobby, and creative and exhilerating too, when you figure something out. Have fun! (and congrats on the baby too)

Answer 4

Not to hard, always make a test piece of knitting before you start to knit the garment.Hope you do not drop too many stiches,If you use a machine move the side weights up every 10-15 rows and the needles are VERY SHARP Good Luck with your knitting.

Answer 5

I learned from a magazine. Then perfected my technique from a book. Stitch and ***** is the best knitting book ever. Really clear. Maran Illustrated Knitting and Crocheting is an excellent book too. I learned to knit earlier this year.

Basics will be a set of needles... 6mm-ish are prob best size. Nice middle sized needles! Wool. Chunky will prob be best as a beginner. Beyond that, scissors, tape measure and a wool needle to sew your pieces together. Very simple, pretty cheap hobby!

Answer 6

Go to your local library and I'm sure you'll find a book with simple knitting instructions. Practise with an odd ball of wool for a start, then try a plain garment.It will soon all come back to you and I'm sure you will soon be trying patterns and fancy things. Happy knitting.

Answer 7

I have just learned to knit, when you have got the basic pattern it is actually very easy. I find knitting with thicker wool is easier to begin with, then you can move onto thin, more complex things. Have a go! I found that simply by asking in my local library it was very easy to find a 'begin to knit book', or you can look on the web.

Answer 8

I think crocheting is easier to learn, because you only have 1 hook to deal with, not two needles. I do both and like them both for different things. Many times I combine them--like making a clean edge on a knitted project. I use crochet for bags and purses a lot, because it can get nice and tight. If you know how to crochet, knitting should not be too hard for you, and I think you will enjoy it.

Answer 9

Yes, you can learn from a book. See here:

http://www.fatbananafeet.com/crafts/how-to-knit-flexiback.html

My 7 year old is learning to knit now.

Answer 10

If you can remember how to do plain and purl you can knit.
Go to a wool shop and explain, usually whoever works there will be a knitter and they are only too willing to help.Start with something easy and progress from there. Good Luck and Enjoy.