I teach knitting at a few stores local to me. This is a compendium of resources I mention during my Learn to Knit! classes (also referred to as “Knitting 101” by me). If there are any issues with the page or the links, definitely let me know!
What we cover:
- How to read a ball band
- Suggested gauge
- Basics of measuring gauge
- Needle Size and how it can vary for each person
- Things that can cause differences in gauge and ways to get around it
Casting on
- There are MANY different ways to cast on.
- We teach “knitting on” in this class as it is referenced in your handout
- I prefer the “Long Tail Cast-On” which I teach in subsequent classes.
Stitches
- Knit Stitch
- Purl Stitch
Binding off
Weaving in ends
Floor Walk
- Supplies you may find useful
- Yarns to avoid as a beginner knitter (that is, not to avoid forever, but which may end up frustrating newer knitters – many of which come from personal experience!)
- Books (where they are located, trend books vs. standbys)
- Next Steps
- Recommendations of first “REAL projects”
- Additional classes
Useful Books
Other Resources
- knittinghelp.com – FREE compendium of YouTube videos filmed from the knitter’s point of view to demonstrate a stitch or technique.
- Ravelry.com – FREE! Think Facebook for knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers. Share your projects and progress with friends, find patterns for free or for sale, view yarns, buy/sell/trade, catalog your books, patterns, yarns and needles…
- Knitty.com – free knitting magazine, online. Patterns ranging from simple to advanced for both knit and crochet. One of my favorite projects to challenge new knitters with is Theresa Vinson Stenerson’s Fuzzyfeet. Why? You learn so many things (how to knit with circular needles and double pointed needles/DPNs; how to knit a sock; knitting short rows; picking up stitches; increasing/decreases; kitchener stitch and FELTING!)! At the end, you throw your giant pair of wool socks in the wash and INTENTIONALLY shrink them. Any mistakes will disappear and you will come out with a cozy pair of warm slippers!
- Knit Picks’ 52 Weeks of Dishcloths: A blog category, that is also available in book form. Dishcloths are a fantastic place to start once you have learned to knit. They are small projects worked in cotton yarn that are inherently useful and easy ways to learn new techniques without just making a pile of swatches. Also includes crochet patterns.
- Elizabeth Zimmermann, inspiring knitter considered by many to be the grandmother of modern knitting. Her patterns are modular and common sense; reference the Baby Surprise Jacket or the Tomten Jacket. Her books have been recently updated by her children and their publishing company, Schoolhouse Press.
- Cat Bordhi, prolific knitter and author living in the San Juans.
- Check out her videos on YouTube. She is extremely energetic and inspiring, and both uses/promotes or invents a lot of techniques that aren’t always found in your garden variety knitting books. I have seen her cast on for moebius knitting with her hands behind her back while hopping on one foot. If that’s not an endorsement, I don’t know what is!
- Moebius Knitting: See “A Treasury of Magical Knitting” (R) and “A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting” (R)
- Socks: See “Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles” (R), “New Pathways for Sock Knitters, Book One” (R), and “Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters” (R)
- Slippers: The Art of Felfs: felted footwear for families. (R) 100% of the book’s and pattern’s income (minus Paypal fees) go to the research lab of Dr. David Krag at the University of Vermont Medical School for cancer research.
- Versatildes, A New Landscape for Knitters (R)
- NOTE: I STRONGLY recommend if you purchase Cat Bordhi’s books to do it through Ravelry where possible (linked next to the product pages with an “R”). Why? Cat will randomly update eBooks purchased through Ravelry to add new patterns, correct errors, etc. You will receive a notification when and if this has happened, if you have purchased her books. I included the links to the individual pages for her books as well for more information.