Lesson's In Knitting: Learning To Knit

We've taught you to cast on (and we know you've been practicing... you must have a few stitches on a set of needles now!).  Now we'll teach you to knit!

You can make a great item by just knitting each row... this will end up being a garter stitch piece which can stretch really well (this is great when you don't know precise measurements if you are knitting a tag).

The Knit Stitch

There are basically two different styles of knitting... Continental and English.  It just refers to which hand you hold your tail of yarn in.  Try both and see which style you prefer.  Here are some links to help you get started:

This is the Continental method of knitting

This is the English Style method of knitting

Some other links you might find helpful are:

Knitting For Dummies - How To Knit Continental Style (picture guide)

Knitting For Dummies - How To Knit English Style (picture guide)

Video From Knit Picks (Continental Style)

Video From Knit Picks (English Style)

Knitting For Dummies by Pam Allen, Tracy L. Barr and Shannon Okey is a good book to help you get started with this basic stitch.

Remember... there is no right or wrong way (well... yes.. there are some wrong ways)... but as long as it works for you and you piece gets knitted without falling apart... it's right!

Good luck with learning how to knit!

And... before we go.... our new tag is getting close to being done... it will be any day now!

Here is what we have so far:

Our green section is done and the yellow section is almost done

It measures just over 25 cm if it's not stretched (10 inches)

But that stretches to about 39 cms.. just over 15 inches for you Americans!

And here is the next colour (and the last colour) we're adding in!

Lessons In Knitting: Learning To Cast On

Is there anybody out there who wants to become a Knitting Kninja, but doesn't know how to start knitting?  Well, today is your lucky day!

Your first lesson will be learning to cast on.  Casting on is what you do to get all your stitches onto your needles at the beginning of a project.

KninjaNeedles8 recommends using a chunky weight yarn, because even if its a little hard to work with, it knits up very quick.  For a chunky yarn, you'll use a bigger sized needle (check on the package of the yarn you have to see what size it recommends).  KnitMama recommends using a worsted weight yarn, even thought your project might knit up a bit slower, the yarn will be easier to work with (you'll use a smaller needle with a worsted weight yarn... again.. check the size recommendation).

KninjaNeedles8's favourite yarn to knit with is the Lion's Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick Yarn in the grass colour.  This is what her and KnitMama did their first tag in.


Casting On

There are a few different ways that you can cast on your stitches.  Today, we'll link you to the Long-Tail Cast On.

Here is a video you can watch (over and over) to learn from:

This is a video you can learn from

Here are some links which you might also find helpful:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-cast-on.html (this has a picture step by step guide)

http://tutorials.knitpicks.com/wptutorials/long-tail-cast-on/ (this is another video)

Other pieces of advice:

1. Ask a friend who knows how to knit to show you.

2. Go to a yarn shop near you and someone there would probably love to help get you started.  If you are in Peterborough, ON, a lovely wee local yarn shop we have here is Needles In The Hay.

3. Are there any workshops going on near you to learn how to knit?  You could ask someone there and maybe they'd like to help you.

4. Go to your local library (here in Peterborough, ON our library is the Peterborough Public Library) and you'll be able to find lots of books to help you (you local librarian will help you find something if your stuck).  A good basic book is Knitting For Dummies by Pam Allen, Tracy L. Barr and Shannon Okey.


In other news, the next tag is getting closer to being done and ready to go.  KnitMama and KninjaNeedles8 have been working hard!  The green section is finished and we're working on the yellow one now.

The green looks much more turquoise in this picture.

And one more thing.... don't forget that this Wednesday is our next meet-up if you are local and want to join in.  We meet at the Olde Stone from 5:30 - 7:00.