Am I too old to learn to knit? ( 57 )

Think I'd prefer revelry myself!

If you can find a local woolshop that runs workshops/classes for beginners, that could be a great way forward.

I learned to crochet a few years ago at a local woolshop, aged about 60, and it was a total life saver - a skill acquired, friends, a real sense of achievement. Better than any medication I was being offered.

You are never too OLD to try something NEW and I am almost grown up...75 later this year.

I could knit before I was five. During the war when it was difficult to get yarn would unpick jumpers and reuse the wool. In those days double knitting wool was not used. Just 2 and 3ply. I taught my husband to knit at the same time as my small children. After that he knitted all his own pullovers and socks (four needles).
All four of us would sit knitting while watching a TV. And it was a good hobby to take camping and carsvannIng.

Cannot remember when I first learnt to crochet. When in Spain used their crochet magazines and made doilies and table clothes with fine Egyptian cotton and steel fine gauge steel hooks.
Ran classes for beginners at WI.

Hand knitted items are always much appreciated. Good luck learning the skill. You need a patient teacher and you will pick it up in no time. As I said before good luck, and bully for you learning when an adult.

Never too old to learn anything new. Give it a go. If there is no one to show you how to do it them go onto a YouTube site. Good luck! x

Never too old for anything and 57 is nowhere near old. I ve just been down the slides at the soft play this morning with my little grandson and I m 64 ?!

We're never too old to learn anything new. It's good for the brain. Don't think like that, think 'I'm going to learn to knit. Why don't you get a grandchild to do it with you.

I undertand what you are saying Camelotclub but many new adult knitters soon become bored making a scarf.

A hat can be knitted on two needles and seamed. It's a small, quick, economical project that encompasses a lot of skills: casting on, learning to knit and purl for ribbing, knitting the main body in whatever stitch pattern is called for, easy decreases which give an undertanding of shaping, manipulating large and small numbers of stitches, a bind off or drawn closure and different finishing techniques. Learning how to do mattress stitch seaming is a very useful skill to have when progressing to making sweaters and other larger garments.

We are never too old to learn any new skill (I’ve recently taken up tap dancing). Go for it.

I’m not keen on circular needles because the rigid part is always too short. I have used them for knitting a large triangular shawl but the short needle ends drive me mad.

Fascinated to learn about Tom Daley teaching himself to knit and crochet and even does it whilst waiting to take his turn on the diving board. Did anybody see his copy of a Gucci crocheted dress? It was indistinguishable from the designer one.
Back to the OPs question, no you’re never too old, just start with something simple until you get used to “seeing” the stitches, my granddaughter kept on knitting into the same stitch twice and increasing the width of her knitting.

I am like you doodledog, would love to crochet, tried so many times, had a really good crocheting friend, teach me.. like as heck, I can`t do it..

I go to our local church craft club, and knit garter stitchsquares, and pass them on to someone else to sew together, and they get given to people who need them.

I would avoid trying to make a hat until you're more practised as there will be a lot of decreasing and even four or five double pointed needles which can be unwieldy! I've been knitting for decades and tend to avoid them. A scarf is really the best thing to start with, no shaping needed and something warm for when winter comes.

I'm another one who picked up knitting needles again at about age 60, having last tortured wool into squares as a ten year old. It has opened a whole new world of friendships, there is nothing better than sitting with other crafters working away and chatting. I make mostly small projects for family, baby blankets, cowls in modern yarn for teenage girls, and currently addicted to making Mitred Square blankets in all sizes, you simply stop when you decide the blanket is done. I've taught myself basic crochet edgings.

There is a lot of scientific research now confirming the benefits of knitting and handwork, including an article recently about it helping to ease pain. Something to do with the cross body action. (See attached example).

I'm told I am a process knitter, meaning that I don't mind unpicking.

I cannot recommend it highly enough. As my friend says the reward is in the making.

Thanks Flexagon I'll give that a go. I've found Kitchener stitch very difficult to do neatly.

I bought Get Started Making Socks by Ann Budd which was very helpful but is the toe down method.

Oh yes, I will, thank you.
Why did I forget Ravelry!

Callistemon Do have a look on Ravelry. There are many, many free patterns for floral squares.

Flexagon

You are welcome Nanagarra. My favourite book about toe up socks is called (unsurprisingly) Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy D Johnson. Some nice lace and cable patterns to try.

Lace knitting (like sock knitting) can be addictive, can't it? My favourite laceweight yarn is Fyberspates Scrumptious a mix of silk and wool. My favourite pattern has probably been Ethereal by Lakshmi Juneja, Evelyn Clark's Forget-Me-Not a close second. I bought both via Ravelry.

You’re a star, Flexagon! Many thanks.

I've been looking a some books this evening on how to crochet squares - the ones with flowers tc in the centre but it's going to need some concentration.

I think I found different knitting stitches much easier, even managed cabled jumper when I was in my teens.

You are welcome Nanagarra. My favourite book about toe up socks is called (unsurprisingly) Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy D Johnson. Some nice lace and cable patterns to try.

Lace knitting (like sock knitting) can be addictive, can't it? My favourite laceweight yarn is Fyberspates Scrumptious a mix of silk and wool. My favourite pattern has probably been Ethereal by Lakshmi Juneja, Evelyn Clark's Forget-Me-Not a close second. I bought both via Ravelry.

Such a lovely positive thread which is a real pleasure to read.
You’re certainly not too old to learn, Kandinsky. There’s plenty of good advice here and once you start you’ll find it addictive.
I’m another who loves to crochet and knit (particularly lace - the pattern I use was published 71 years ago and requires 3 ply).
You’ve convinced me to look at toe-up socks, Flexagon: no Kitchener stitch and the ability to see how much yarn remains to judge the length of the finished item. How ingenious. Thank you.
?

Start with something small, a practise piece, but hang on to it. As you progress, it's nice to look back at your first knitted item and see how far you've come.

In a couple of months, you'll be knitting like a pro.

Absolutely not too late. You may be a little slower on the uptake but hang on in there. Very much worthwhile and satisfying pastime. Imagine the kick you'll get out of the ultimate success. The basics are sequential and repetitive and not at all difficult but that is always easy to say by one who 'knows how'. Good luck. I look forward to hearing of your positive outcome.

Thank you all so much.
So inspiring reading all your replies xx

Not schedule - shedful!!