Learning to Knit

[alpinerabbit]

There are videos on youtube....

I can't knit "left-handed" for the life of my. Hence I prefer knitting socks, as there's almost no left-handing. But I've misplaced the instruction sheet from H.E. for making the heel....

[tulip]

I learned with the help of Learn To Knit, published by Susan Bates (big knitting supply company), but a friend also helped tremendously. Most knitting shops are very helpful if you go in with questions and they will show you. It's always a good idea to support your local shop and get some yarn or supplies there--kindof like an LBS.

[Zen]

It depends on your learning style as well.
I'm taking knitting 101 at Joann's later this month.
But I might get the book too.

[Blueberry]

I think you can learn yourself, but there will likely be a point at which you'll need help. Sometimes with knitting (at least based on my experience), you just need someone to actually show you.

Knitting is fun, though, and very relaxing (for me). I do it to fill time I couldn't otherwise use (e.g. when watching one of my few TV shows). I've also met some great friends knitting!

CA

[Tuckervill]

I've been teaching myself how to knit for the last few weeks. (I tried last year and managed to knit some socks, but it didn't "click" until this year.)

It does depend on your learning style. I'm a visual learner--I don't want anyone explaining to me in person how to do it. I need to be shown, and then I need it written down after I've been shown. But I can be shown via videos and pictures. knittinghelp.com, already mentioned, has the best videos I've found. Still the videos don't always do it for me, either, so I look at lots of sources. The free resources online are so numerous as to be overwhelming!

My first pair of socks, I used instructions from three different patterns, because the original ones kind of lost me when I got to the heel (the socks were hideous, but not because of the instructions). It's a real art to write directions that are very clear, without making assumptions! When I find someone who can, I'll let you know! Then, most people choose something less complicated than socks on double-pointed needles as their first project.

Anyway, I think you can do it. Go for it!

Karen

[malkin]

Elizabeth Zimmerman
Knitting Without Tears

It's a gem of a book.

If you buy your yarn locally, the staff at the shop will generally be endlessly helpful.

[badgercat]

http://www.knittinghelp.com/

Tons of videos. I love it.

I'm no pro, but I get by. And I've never taken a class. My mom did show me the very basics when I first started, though, but anything new I've taught myself--mostly from the above website.

I also have the Stitch and B!tch books, but I haven't found them super helpful to learn from. I do use them for quick reminders of how to do stuff, though, and there are some super fun project patterns in there. Granted, I haven't actually MADE any of them, but I have been inspired by some.