From the article: Continental Knit Stitch
Learning to knit is a different experience for everyone. Some take to it quickly and easily, while others struggle. Looking back on when you learned to knit, what was the most helpful thing you learned that made it easier for you? Share Your Learning Tip
Stroking!
- I had a stroke in 2006 that left me with right-sided weakness. In order to regain strength and dexterity in my right hand, I made up my mind to give myself extra therapy. Through much trial and error, I taught myself to knit. I started out with a very simplistic book and read voraciously, practicing each step as I went. In the beginning, it took hours to just get through one step. But now, three years later, I can honestly say I am an avid intermediate knitter! Things come a lot easier these days, and although I still have to put the needles down after a while because of a little weakness, people say my work is pretty and consider my gifts a keepsake.
- —BonneyRabbit123
My big Sis
- My sister was learning to knit in home ec. when I was 9 years old. She in turn taught me.. lol... She said if she had to learn so did I. Later she said I knitted better than her. I always remember that very fondly. We lost her when she was 37. That was in 1982.
- —Guest Cheri P
My learning tip.
- When I was 6 years old my mother was always knitting and taught me. I am now 78+ and am still at it. I find when we are young we learn faster. At that time I also played with French kids and picked up their language.
- —Guest Margaret Duval
Learning to knit
- I learned to knit using 2 pencils. All the kids were learning and we didn't have enough money for needles! When I have taught kids to knit it was through the needles, around, over and pull through. If you keep saying the steps to yourself, it becomes automatic. Now, I don't even thing about it. Good luck, it gets easier.
- —rosemaryfe14
Free Websites
- You can find and learn a lot on the web. Also, check your area for a knitting guild...lots of help there! Relax..take your time. As with anything...practice...practice...practice!!
- —Guest Gabbiex1
Gettting to Gauge
- Gauge has always been my downfall. My first knitting project was a pair of gloves. The pattern called for 4 oz of sport weight yarn and I ended up using all 4 oz in one glove. It was gigantic, perfectly proportioned, but it would have fit the Jolly Green Giant :) Since then I've never forgotten to check my gauge.
- —Guest kathy
Learing from Grandma
- My learning tip, while quite simple, isn't available to everyone, unfortunately. My learning tip is a kind, patient, loving grandmother.
- —Guest Jackie
learning to knit
- What helped me was a little book called "Learning To Knit." Using that book, some scrap yarn, and a pair of #2 pencils, I taught myself to knit when I was 4 years old. When I was 11 my mother decided to get me some real needles and yarn and I made a crew neck pullover.
- —Guest Lorena
casting on to double points
- I recently tried something different when casting onto double points for socks. I cast on to three, knitting with the 4th. Needle # 1 only gets half the required stitches, needles 2 & 3 get their required # then needle #1 gets the rest of it's stitches. I also use the cast-on tail and the knitting strand to knit the 1st stitch of the 2nd row which starts half way on needle # 1. I think it is easier to manipulate the needles in the middle of the needle than at the join of 2 needles. I also don't worry about making sure the stitches aren't twisted on the needle for the first round. If they are twisted when you come to the beginning of a needle as you're knitted, just slide the stitches to the end of the needle and flip the end of the needle through and the slight twist in the yarn definitely doesn't matter and it's way less frustrating than trying to straighten them out on the needles before they're joined together. Hope you find this useful.
- —JIMINYCRICKIT
yarn
- Dont try to knit anything with a "fancy" yarn until the basics are well mastered. Stitches and rows can be obscured by the yarn, dropped sts are almost impossible to find. And make an effort to consciously relax after a series of stitches have been done, otherwise muscular tension will spoil the enjoyment of knitting.
- —sandrada
"frogging"
- Don't be afraid to rip out a section of knitting and redo it. That is how we all learned how to knit. It is NOT a sign of failure.
- —sbdknitter
Stitches -
- Pay attention as the sts form so they can be identified by sight. Study what a "knit" and a "purl" look like.
- —Babci
