If you taught yourself to knit....

StephanieDM

Where/how did you start?

I want to learn to knit but the only thing I can knit is a very basic scarf. My grandma taught me that years ago but she doesn't knit anymore because she can't see well and has arthritis.

I need to make Z some wooly goodness.  

MWoodside

I didn't teach myself, but I took classes at a local knitting shop.  

lauraandlee

I bought a cheap book from a craft chain store (it had pictures in black and white from the 70s, lol). 

Also, when I started to knit shorties, I used the Sheepy Pants pattern and found a love for knittinghelp.com  They have videos of every stitch you would ever need and great descriptions.  If you're a visual learner like I am, it's a great site.  

2gr8pits

I taught myself from an article in Real Simple, you can probably google it! I am planning on taking a class at my local yarn store though because I want to learn more...

runnergirl79

I took a class to learn the knitting basics, and then practiced at home.  As I would come to something in a pattern I didn't understand, I would either look up how to tutorials online, or take my pattern & project to my lys to have someone help me. 

I want to encourage you, too.  I never thought I would be able to knit the stuff I have been able to, so with a little practice (and patience), you'll be knitting longies in no time.  GL! 

roundtheworldgirl

I learned the basics from a friend - how to knit and how to purl.  The rest I taught myself through Youtube videos.  It's useful to see someone do things in person sometimes, though.  I'd look for a class through a local yarn shop, or maybe a knitting group.

bethandjoe09

I taught myself using this website: https://www.knittinghelp.com/

The videos were really helpful. I've made S one pair of longies, and I'm about halfway through some shorties.

Dr.Loretta

knittinghelp.com is a great resource

I went to a beginner class at AC Moore, and took it from there. I used to hang out at my LYS and picked up a lot of tips from the more experience ladies there. If you have a yarn store near you, they're usually very helpful.

LadyExtravaganza

I have a great book called "Teach Yourself Knitting Visually" and I still refer to it.

I taught myself to crochet a few weeks ago on youtube, so that works, too!

babydontforget

A friend taught me to cast on, to knit, to purl, to cast off. And if you can knit a scarf, you've got all that down.

Once you have that stuff, it's just a matter of learning as you go. I honestly start any pattern that appeals to me, even if it looks hard. When I get to a place that stumps me, I google a tutorial for the stitch or instruction. I've never not found a video tutorial of what I was looking for. 

superned

lauraandlee:

I bought a cheap book from a craft chain store (it had pictures in black and white from the 70s, lol).   

I did the same thing!

I tried to learn from my mom and bunch of times, but I just could not get it by watching her.  I had to read the instructions and look at the still pictures to get the idea.

MallratsMom

All I could knit was a scarf before I started doing pants. Knitting in the round is SOOOOO easy, but I was scared. I started off with the doodle pants on Raverly.com ,but they don't have a gusset so I bought the picky pants pattern and now do that one. I used you tube videos to learn how to do the short rows in the bum. 

LadyExtravaganza

MallratsMom:

All I could knit was a scarf before I started doing pants. Knitting in the round is SOOOOO easy, but I was scared. I started off with the doodle pants on Raverly.com ,but they don't have a gusset so I bought the picky pants pattern and now do that one. I used you tube videos to learn how to do the short rows in the bum. 

Have you tried itchy fingers on ravelry? It's great, has a gusset, and is free!

blathnat

I taught myself using the Stitch and *** book.  I worked through a bunch of those patterns and got all the basic skills. 

NativeFloridian

I bought three sizes of needles and a crapload of cheap yarn from Walmart, and YouTubed "learn to knit."  I learned how to cast on, cast off, and use the knit and purl stitches that way.  Then I started looking up free patterns on Ravelry.com, and just started knitting whatever I could find that required the size needles I have.  If I didn't know what something meant, I'd just Google "knitting [term/acronym here]."  I've successfully knitted a striped sweater, a lacy scarf, and a cowl with a shield pattern, and I've only been knitting about three or so months.  It's easy peasy.