I’d like to get into knitting, but struggle to be stoked with making a 101 chunky hat etc. on the knitting needles that are connected 🧶

Is it advisable to just jump into a project that I actually want to try, or is it really best to learn the skills ground up first with a beginner project?

(Also total bonus rec for HOW you learned to knit)

Question

I’d like to get into knitting, but struggle to be stoked with making a 101 chunky hat etc. on the knitting needles that are connected 🧶

Is it advisable to just jump into a project that I actually want to try, or is it really best to learn the skills ground up first with a beginner project?

(Also total bonus rec for HOW you learned to knit)

Rocky · Answer

PetiteKnit as the best patterns for beginner knitters: There are so many wonderful small indie knit pattern designers out there, but I honestly think the best place to start is with PetiteKnit’s patterns. She will set you up for success.

I see sooo many people starting to knit using a We Are Knitterns kit and I cannot emphasize enough to NOT DO THIS. Their patterns are over complicated and dumbed down and you will be frustrated and not learn actually useful and common techniques.

Best case scenario: get a PetiteKnit pattern you actually like and buy the exact recommended yarn. You won’t have to figure out which materials to use (which is why people go for WAK, I think) and you’ll have a verified well written pattern. YouTube is your best friend. Once you get comfortable, you can branch out to indie designers!

Also: join Ravelry. Absolute gold star database for every knitting pattern ever.

Christina Catherine Martinez · Answer

go to knitting store!: not a craft store, a store that  specializes in just knitting/crochet/etc … Anyone working there will likely be very excited that you want to knit and help you get started…

Amy · Answer

Join a class or knitting circle at a local yarn shop!: You’ll meet other knitters, have a teacher be able to help when you’ve gotten stuck, and learn faster than doing it alone. 🧶

Sealligator · Answer

Squish the yarn: I learned to knit from a coworker a long time ago. She gave me this advice and I didn’t take it. I went and bought something cheapish that I liked the color of and then felt obligated to knit the scratchy stuff through my whole first project.

Go squish the yarn and choose something you’re excited to spend time with.

(The yarn linked here is absurdly expensive as a reminder that whatever you pay for that skein, if you’re  not knitting with qiviut, it could’ve been worse!)

eva h · Answer

knitting kits: ok one more, sorry. it’s not fancy but filter by difficulty on the knit kit page of lion brand and you can find a project you like the look of and get everything you need for it. i got a scarf kit from them where the tldr version of the pattern was “cast on 80 stitches. knit until it’s long enough. also here’s how to make tassels” and felt a little silly but seriously the easy projects are actually easy and a great place to begin.

eva h · Answer

learn to knit from another person in person: can’t recommend enough learning the basics from a person who’s physically with you. once you’ve got the fundamentals there are lots of good videos online for techniques but i swear it’ll be so much easier to learn from a person irl. if you don’t have any friends / family that knit, check out local yarn stores (never visited one that didn’t have multiple knitting groups) and your local library.

eva h · Answer

advanced search on ravelry: you can sort by difficulty, rating, yarn weight, category, etc. etc. there’s 100000000000 options for easy projects you could start with, find one that you’re actually excited about and go from there!