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

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

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.

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.

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 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’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.

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

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'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.

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 ?!

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Think I'd prefer revelry myself!

A girl in school taught me the basics 50+years ago and I still have a little thing in my head of "through, round, under and off". Go for it, and the other GN'ers have come up with some excellent suggestions. Go on, and enjoy your new hobby.

I have made some simple rugs from sewn up squares. I lined them with velour for extra cosiness. But with help of Youtube, I have mastered 'granny squares' and they make up into a much nicer rug. In lockdown, I resorted to getting crochet hooks and wool online. The crochet has persisted and it is nice to have some project on the go that can be done at same time as watching TV/playing online game etc. I would also recommend getting some decent yarn to get started as the cheaper ones do not handle so well, maybe for later when you are up and running. Now I am still thinking of getting a keyboard and learning piano!

Kim19

Think I'd prefer revelry myself!

After the struggle I had to get into Ravelry this morning, (it was all unravelling fast), ending up having to re-register I think I could do with some revelry too!

???

Callistemon

Kim19

Think I'd prefer revelry myself!

After the struggle I had to get into Ravelry this morning, (it was all unravelling fast), ending up having to re-register I think I could do with some revelry too!

???

What would Woolly Revels be? Wool and chocolate? Cue Julie Andrews.

Back to Woolly Ravelry - Tin Can Knits - Flax is the easy, top down seamless sweater - free pattern - loads of sizes from baby to Greg Davies. A good Knit for Peace project.

No one is too old to knit. You can start off simple like knitting squares for a blanket then progress to more complicated items. The good points are that you can pick it up and put it down when you feel like it. You will also have an individual item as no one knits the same and you can mix and match colours and patterns

YouTube taught me how to knit a pair of boottees and mittens for my first grandchild. So proud of them. But I am slow!

Slow is fine. Many older people have time to spare. Success is king. Bootees? Blimey, I think they're a bit intricate for beginners. Well done you!

Doodledog

Callistemon

I have come to like circular needles too.
But I find crocheta bit easier on the hands and wrists

I have never managed to get the hang of crochet. I default to trying to knit with the hook

I just can’t get the hang of crochet but after reading all of your messages, I think I’ll have another try.

Knitting is something I can do and I’d really like to knit woolly socks with wool not acrylic as I have cold feet in winter. Anyone got any good tips especially any links to UTube video. Years ago Mum tried to teach me but to no avail.

Well our library has a group once a week for all abilities, maybe yours has?
My mum was a knitter- it stopped her biting her nails. I’m more of a wellies and get my hands in the soil type.