How Do I Learn To Knit?

You need to learn the basics – cast on, knit stitch, purl stitch and cast off. I would recommend you start off with some videos online. This is a great and cheap way to dip your toe in the water and discover whether you really like it or not. All you need is a pair of knitting needles and a ball or two of yarn. Get yourself a pair of 4mm needles and DK (double knitting) weight yarn.  

If you find yourself getting addicted, buy yourself a knitting book or join a class in your local yarn shop.

Let’s Knit magazine has a series of videos on their website. You need to register and log in to view the videos but it easy and free so it’s worth it. Click here to start.

http://www.letsknit.co.uk/index.php/knitting_videos/knittv/tying_a_slipknot/

Practice your newly found skills with a simple scarf. Sirdar Soft Bamboo is a new yarn that has a scarf pattern on the ball band. It’s a soft and cuddly chunky weight yarn so it knits up quickly. This scarf only uses the knit and purl stitches. You’ll need two balls of yarn and a pair of 10mm needles. Some of the ball bands have an error on them. The instruction should read cast on 13 stitches not 21.

http://www.theyarnemporium.com/Sirdar-Big-Bamboo-s/248.htm

Summer Knitting

Hebe is a collection of 14 designs by Louisa Harding. I love this book because the designs really are suitable for summer and Louisa Harding is one of my favourite designers. All of these can be knitted in Albero which is 50% Cotton and 50% Lenpur.

The Phyllis two-colour vest is airy and light so it's ideal for wearing over shorts on a hot day and the tunic is suitable for evening wear.

The Peggy shrug and Percy cardigan will keep you warm when the evenings get a little chilly after the sun goes down.

You can also co-ordinate your Bibi bead edge drawstring bag to match your shrug. It's great to find 5 patterns in one book that you really want to knit.