Learn to knit?

[brewso.livejournal.com]

I have a 5 month-old daughter, and just got it in my head that I want to knit her a Christmas stocking. Trouble is, I don't know how to knit. Any idea of a place I could go to learn? Or anyone want to teach me for some kind of nominal fee or a barter of some kind? I'm a lefty, if that matters. Thanks!

Comments

[asciikitty.livejournal.com]

Mind's Eye Yarns in Porter has knitting lessons for cheap. $12 for 45 (or so) minutes of lesson.

[taxine.livejournal.com]

Seconding Mind's Eye. They're really nice there.

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

The Mind's Eye Yarns people are nice.

That said, I am someone who tried knitting and found it doable, but sometimes frustrating because it felt like it took a LOT of effort to make not that much progress on things. I taught myself how to crochet, and found that to be something much more satisfying. I can make hats, scarves, and wrist warmers, I can't imagine a stocking is that much more complex. Just putting a plug out there for crocheting!

[starry83.livejournal.com]

Seconding; I find that I am a much more fast/productive crocheter. And one hook versus two needles means one less thing for me to lose.

Give them both a try and see what you think.

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

I'm mostly a knitter myself, but I agree crochet might be better for a Christmas stocking; I think crochet can give you a stiffer fabric, so it'll be more like a fireplace stocking and keep its shape; less like a sock.

(Of course, if you already have a pattern you're using, go with that! :) )

[pensivewombat.livejournal.com]

i will also totally put in a vote for Mind's Eye Yarns; they're awesome and you should totally give them your business. That said, i learned to knit almost entirely from www.knittinghelp.com (http://www.knittinghelp.com) - it's free and it has videos for every stitch or technique you could ever want to learn. I'm a very visual learner, so for me, this was perfect.

If you do choose to go this route, be sure and buy your yarn and needles and whatnot at Mind's Eye :) Good luck, it's totally worth it!

[miraclaire.livejournal.com]

The knittinghelp.com suggestion was a good one, and you might also want to think about joining Ravelry.com, which is sort of like facebook for knitters. There are lots of forums to ask questions in and a pattern and yarn database.

Most yarn shops will have lessons. Mind's Eye is definitely the closest to Davis Square. It's great that you want to learn to knit, and I hope you enjoy it. That being said, a stocking by Christmas might be a little bit ambitious if you've never picked up needles and yarn to knit before. It will, of course, depend on the complexity of the pattern you want to make -- something like this (http://jenniferhoel.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/paiges-christmas-stocking/ ) will take a lot longer and be much harder for a beginner than this (http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=50715220&medid=RAV ). I wish you the best of luck as your embark on your knitting adventure :)

[stellasirius.livejournal.com]

may i recommend Knitting for Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Dummies-Sports-Hobbies/dp/0470287470/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257522725&sr=8-1)?? this book taught be the basics for knitting, and has a lot of easy patterns to try out while you learn. i found it to be a great way to get started, then asked questions of my knitting friends as I progressed. the "...for Dummies" series also has a book about knitting and crocheting by the same author, it might be worth checking out as well.

also, i would seriously recommend knitting a "non-project" piece first. i think many people try to learn how to knit by making a scarf or something, and then get frustrated because it becomes pretty clear pretty quickly that the quality of your first piece will probably not be something that you'll want to wear or gift. i think doing a "throw-away" project first, just a simple rectangle where you try out various stitches will allow you to judge when you're ready to start a real project. once you've done a number of rows with an even gauge, and know how to watch for and pick up dropped stitches, you'll be ready. this is what worked for me at any rate, and i found the technique helped me deal with the "knitter's frustration" that stops many potential knitters before they even finish their first project.

hope this helps!

[neuroacorn.livejournal.com]

That's a good suggestion! I did that when I learned to knit. I'm also a lefty and I learned from a lefty. Feel free to contact me if you want help or advice. I've been knitting on and off for quite awhile now :)

[rozasharn.livejournal.com]

My 'simple rectangles' were always about eight inches square. That way they could lead useful lives as potholders.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

Just a little aside....I laughed when you mentioned you are a lefty. My sister is a lefty, and wanted to learn to knit when she was young. So my grandmother, a prolific knitter, spent all summer teaching herself to knit lefty in order to teach my sister. Time for the first lesson.....my sister picked up the needles, and found she was a right-handed knitter!!

[brewso.livejournal.com]

Thanks to all who responded! I think that, due to the dwindling amount of time I have, I'm going to either learn to crochet or make the stocking out of something crafty and easier to handle, like felt. I think I was you right, and I was being a bit too ambitious with thinking I could knit a specific product in a little over a month. I'll then plan to take some lessons (how I learn best) at Mind's Eye and start with something simple, like a blanket. Thanks again - this is such a helpful community! :)