Learning to Knit

[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.

[Tuckervill]

I have a book about making socks, the sock instructions I'm currently using, and a reference book about knitting that I bought in Nashville recently. It's basically a how-to book with pictures, but just a few projects. (I'm not good at remembering titles, but I can go find it if anyone wants to know.)

None of those resources at my fingertips had instructions on how to do a yarn over bind off (YOBO)! The sock pattern that SUGGESTED it, didn't explain it well, and it is a pattern from "Really Clear Instructions"! Hello. Google didn't come up with a whole lot of help, either, (not even at knittinghelp.com) but I eventually did find pictures about 3 pages in, and was able to extrapolate enough to finish my husband's ginormous sock. (It was so gratifying to see him put it on and it fit that size 13 foot! Will need three balls of yarn for his socks from now on.)

So, there won't be one resource for every little thing you try. Try them all. I'm kinda regretting buying that reference book.

Karen

[malkin]

You can always resell, regift, or donate your book.