Brand New Beginning Knitter

**Jamauk** · 11-18-2008, 11:02 AM

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Angrypuppy bought me some knitting lessons for my birthday last week and tonight is my second lesson. I'm making a hat (see picture) and so far absolutely loving it.

Any tips for a brand spankin' new beginner? TIA!

**madhen** · 11-18-2008, 11:08 AM

No tips, just congratulations for jumping in and learning! You'll love it!!

**VanVivCam** · 11-18-2008, 11:45 AM

No tips as I do not knit. Just wanted to say I love the colors and hope you enjoy your new project.

**YankeeMom** · 11-18-2008, 12:41 PM

My only advice? Don't get discouraged!!

Looks like you're doing fantastic already

Keep it up! I love the colors.

**Michelle** · 11-18-2008, 01:07 PM

If you need help, try www.knittinghelp.com

Great site w/videos for the visual learner

**Lady_V** · 11-18-2008, 01:55 PM

Welcome to your new addiction!

My advice -- Don't be afraid to try new things... but... when starting a new stitch or pattern, practice-practice-practice the new technique before you start the project.

I don't want to admit how many things I tore apart in total frustration because I wanted to 'stitch new'.

**LynnLC** · 11-18-2008, 01:57 PM

I am on my 2nd class too! Kinda nerve racking going alone to the class but I like it.

**TexasPeanut** · 11-18-2008, 02:04 PM

My tip. It will become an addiction and when you get angry at it and throw it down, it will call to you in a haunting little weasel voice until you pick it up again. And you will. Then you will truly know you are addicted.

In all seriousness, I taught myself through books and the internet and can do small things. I have yet to tackle a large project since I'm left handed so it's hard for me to read instructions some times, but holy cow if I was give the opportunity to take actual lessons I was be some unstoppable knitting monster it's that much fun.

Enjoy it and congrats on learning something new. It's always important to keep learning things. And well with knitting if the hubby smarts off to you while you are sitting on the couch knitting and he's watching tv, you can just give him a friendly poke with the needle.

**Jamauk** · 11-18-2008, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by TexasPeanut

And well with knitting if the hubby smarts off to you while you are sitting on the couch knitting and he's watching tv, you can just give him a friendly poke with the needle.

hahaha

I have to admit, I cheated on the colors! When I went to the shop last week she had this exact same hat made with the exact same yarn and I said "I like that, is that something a beginner could do?" She said "yup, what kind of yarn?" I said "no, I want to make that hat, exactly."

It took me forever to get comfortable picking my own fabric for quilts, so I suspect it'll be the same for knitting......I'll stick to what's already been done until I'm able to envision what it'll look like as a finished project!

Thanks for the website, Michelle. I'll have to check that out!

**Ceashels** · 11-18-2008, 03:16 PM

If you need to throw your project across the room, make sure the pets are out of the way.

I practiced fancier patterns in dishcloth projects so I could have a functional piece of knitting that finished quickly.

**The Muse** · 11-18-2008, 03:52 PM

I'm taking my second class on Saturday! I'm working on a scarf. I've ripped it out (frogged it) twice, but this time it seems to look pretty good.

I second knittinghelp.com I love that site!

What kind of needles are you using? I'm using bamboo but think metal might be better, the yarn doesn't slip off of the bamboo very easily.

Your hat looks pretty! I'd love to see it when you're done.

**AmyBoz** · 11-18-2008, 04:31 PM

I'm not much more than a novice myself, but my best advice is to not get too frustrated. It all comes together, somehow, in the end.

Keep posting pictures! I'd love to see what you make!

**Jamauk** · 11-18-2008, 05:34 PM

Thanks everyone! I CAN'T have a yarn stash!!! My fabric stash has already taken over my closet!

I'm not sure what kind of needles they are. The packaging says KA High Quality Circular Needls manufactured by Kinki Amibari Mfg. Co. They are made in Japan and all of the rest of the writing on the package is Japanese. I suspect they are probably bamboo.

I was surprised, too, that she had me use circular needles, but I'm really liking them. They are less cumbersome than the straight needles that my grandmother taught me on.