Knitting Newbie

Americans knit the same way as we do; but Europeans and Scandinavians don't. Ravelry is American, but apart from the different terminology for things like yarn weight, and the US spelling, you wouldn't know the difference.

European knitting is very different from the way I was taught; but it doesn't matter which way you learns long as you keep things consistent, whether or not you knit in public.

English knitting does take the wool off the needles (known as 'throwing'); but I knit evenly despite being entirely unable to knit in any other way .

Be aware that if you land on an American tutorial, it MIGHT show you a different way to knit. I know that, here in Germany, they knit completely differently, as they do in France.

A friend of mine was knitting in a doctor's waiting room (in Germany) and a lady commented on what a funny way she was holding the needles. It put her off knitting for good!

Having said that, I'm not sure if the American way is different. In the end, it's the result that counts, and if you're not going to be doing it in public, then it doesn't matter how you achieve the result. I just thought I'd mention it because American tutorials will come up if you search in English.

My problem is that my knitting is very uneven - this is because I was never able to loop the wool over without taking my hands off the needles, I think. And as this is even more divergent from the German way, I gave up, too. I stick to crochet.

In fact, if your hands and arms are weakening, or in pain, due to your health problem, crochet is an interesting alternative, as you do not have to bear the weight of the article you are working on.

Ooh, thanks so much for the advice and support! I am definitely going to give it a whirl. Ravelry sounds brilliant. I'm getting rather excited about it now. Thanks again

I second YouTube for how to do anything you're not sure of.

I also learned the basics when very young, but did very little until I retired. Have done a lot since then - from a baby blanket and cardigan to sundry Christmas items and twiddle muffs for dementia sufferers. I still can't cope with fussy or lacy patterns (and TBH don't usually care for them anyway) but there are plenty of simpler ones to choose from.

As pps have said, if there's a local Knit and Natter group, that would almost certainly be helpful.
Good luck, I really hope you enjoy it! I certainly do.

Check if you have a knitting group in your area. They are usually very friendly and willing to help each other with patterns/tricky stitching.

I would also be lost without my knitting...

I had learnt the basics as a child, didn't knit for about 30 years, then started again by knitting really basic patterns, simple baby blankets, scarves etc. Now I am completely hooked and have progressed to some really challenging stuff.

Ravelry is brilliant, click on "patterns" and then filter to "easy" "free" "scarves" etc. I guarantee you will find something you can knit.

It is a soothing and engrossing hobby. I love nothing better than a "knitting and Netflix" afternoon.

Good luck.

Sorry - that's 'Winwick Mum Knit n Natter'.

I would be lost without my knitting!
If you're on Facebook, Oopsminty, look for 'Winwick Knit and Natter'. ?

If you already know the basics you will very quickly get up to speed, just buy a ball of wool and needles, and fire up YouTube knitting tutorials, it will come back to you very quickly. Start with double knitting wool and knit squares until you feel confident enough to tackle a pattern.

Google 'Knit and natter', there will be groups near you, you can take your knitting along and anyone there would be delighted to help, and you will make friends at the same time.

I find it a great stress reliever, and I am sure it is good for the blood pressure!

Yes, it is possible .

YouTube is a great way to learn the basics - much easier than looking at paper instructions - but better still is getting someone to show you. If you have a local yarn store, it is worth asking there if they have a knitting group, or if there is a quiet time when you could come in and have the owner/assistant show you the ropes.

There is a brilliant resource called Ravelry (www.ravelry.com) which has lots of patterns, discussion forums, photos etc, and is a real community of knitters, spinners weavers and crocheters. It's a good idea to join that and look for people local to you, if you would like to meet others with the same interests. Even a look around the yarns and patterns is inspirational.

Finally - even the most complex knitting is only knit and purl. When you get the hang of those stitches, you can twist them to make cables, change colour to make fair isle, or increase and decease them to shape your work; but they are the only stitches you will ever need to know.

Shout on here if you go it alone and get stuck?