so i'm considering learning how to knit.

[MrCoffee]

i wanna knit my kid a Jayne Hat. is it tough to pick up?

[bicentennial_baby]

1. no, not really

I'm self-taught...Nimble fingers help a lot...Pick up a book (I can reccomend some) or take a class

[MrCoffee]

2. i would love a recommendation...

something about the very basics, if you know of any off the top of your head, that would be fantastic.

[China_cat]

3. Local craft stores have 'learn to' kits cheap

And here are some links
http://www.learntoknit.com/home.html
http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com /
http://www.theyarnco.com/instruction.php
http://www.knittinghelp.com/

[bicentennial_baby]

5. Ok...

Stich N' Bitch Volume 1 has good intro instructions, Debbis Stoller is the author
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman is a classic
and Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti is awesome and funny.

If you decide to do it, please pm me if you need any assistance

[Sequoia]

6. I like the "Stich and Bitch" book.

It's quite funny and she even has a website.

[bicentennial_baby]

8. #2 is even better, but I love them both

Pretty good instructions, and great patterns that aren't the usual beginner type.

[Sequoia]

12. Oh, you have the Teletubby baby!

Don't watch it now that my babe is no longer a wee one.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. I love the Teleltubbies! And I don't even have kids!

[Sequoia]

16. Very cute.

[Sequoia]

17. Very cute.

[reyd reid reed]

4. It's not hard at all...

it's only two basic stitches. One, really...the second is the first one in reverse. I taught myself. If you can type, then your fingers are nimble enough.

Go to a crafts store and look for a book. Look IN the book and see if it makes sense to you -- some are easier than others to understand and what works for one person might not work for another. And knitting kids' hats are just the tip of the iceberg.

I found a pattern for edible underwear.

[gizmonic]

15. Edible underwear! Was it knit w/red licorice?

What a riot!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. I just started in April.

I've made some pretty nice things in the last few months...a few scarves, a baby blanket, and a small purse. I'm going to start on a pair of socks next.

A friend of mine took the time to show me, and I got a good book about it. I doubt I would have been able to decipher the book without having been helped by my friend. I stuck with very simple scarves for my first projects, and experimented with different yarns.

Have fun!

[murphymom]

9. Check out an independent yarn store

Some offer classes on knitting. Sometimes it is easier to learn with someone showing you, rather than trying to follow a book. Also, if you decide to get into it, buy good yarn. You don't have to spend a fortune, but if you're going to put all the work into making something, you want it to look good. I've found the folks that work in the independent shops are more likely to know what they are doing and can steer you towards the right materials and patterns, as opposed to some of the national chain craft stores.

I took a class with a neighbor a couple of years ago at my local yarn store and it developed into a nice little social group - after the class ended several of us continued to get together on a regular basis to knit and visit. Once you get into the rhythym, working on a bit of knitting can be really relaxing.

[MrCoffee]

10. Many thanks for all the encouraging posts!

[crim son]

11. You should have no problem at all.

I'm self-taught and can knit anything, although I execute complicated patterns SLOWLY. I started using Debbie Bliss for instruction but since then knitting has become sort of hip and there are lots of fun instructional books out there. Good luck!

[gizmonic]

14. Mr. Coffee -- pm me. I have a Jayne Cobb hat pattern

I can send you.



gizmonic -- knitting chick w/stix