Learning to Knit
By Kowgirl
@Kowgirl (3490)
United States
January 9, 2007 8:06pm CST
I am trying to learn to knit from a book. I don't have any friends who know how so a book was my only alternative. I am having a problem holding my yarn as well as making each stitch the same size...man that is hard. I just need a ittle help getting my stitches even. Whats the secret to that? I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Thanks
Kowgirl
1 person likes this
4 responses
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
10 Feb 07
I had a hard time getting my stitches even for the first while. What helped me was to wind the yarn around my pinky finger and have it travel over my index finger.
it kind of changes depending on what way you learned to knit though.
1 person likes this
@Ruralchook (538)
• Australia
12 Feb 07
I find when its cold or Im using super fine yarn I have problems holding the yarn, and this is after 34 years of knitting.
Unfortunately holding the yarn is just like you said, practice. The more you knit the easier it becomes.
Keep it up and you'll find a technique that you'll be so comfortable with that one day you will realise your knitting is perfect and your holding the yarn correctly and you'll be overjoyed.
@angelashupe (343)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I actually learned to knit from a $4 childrens learn-to-knit kit. I figured that if they could teach a kid, they could teach me. I bought mine from Big Lots, but I doubt they have it anymore. Keep your eye out in stores and see if you can find one. If you do, it might help solve your knitting problem.
Until then though, try to hold the yarn over your index finger, using the other fingers to help keep it tight - but not too tight. If you find a comfortable way for you to hold the yarn while knitting, it'll make keeping stitches the same size much easier.
1 person likes this
@Kowgirl (3490)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Thanks Angelashupe
I will look for it at Big Lots this weekend.
I have been practicing a lot and it is getting easier.
When I first started I did not know what to do with the excess
yarn that hung down after the casting on stitches. The 2 books
I had did not say what to do with it. After a while I just ignored it and
went on to the next step. Thanks again for your help
1 person likes this
@auburndreams (838)
• United States
11 Jan 07
Hi Kowgirl,
Have you been to http://www.knittinghelp.com? There are animations there that I've found to be very helpful. You can even pause them and watch them over and over again. Everyone feels like they are all thumbs when they first learn. In time that feeling will pass. It's so worth it so hang in there.
@TeelaBrown (19)
• Canada
9 Feb 07
Hey. I am just learning to knit as well. I started this past november. I am already well on my way to knitting a sweater. The knittinghelp web site was the best for showing me how.
As far as getting the stitches even, really it only takes a little practice and you will slowly just start doing it without thinking. Right now you are probably just thinking a little too hard about it. Once you get into the swing of thing it will just become natural.
Good luck! You will love it
