Learn to Knit!

[dogfoster]

One thing I learned about my knitting adventure is that you have to complete the whole thing before you start on something else if you only have one pair of needles. That doesn't mean the whole pair of something though! So I have some magic slippers, and cable slippers and a baby bootie that need mates still. So I bought some more needles today. Actually the pair I had were 14" long and heavy and awkward. I got some circular ones today and after an excited try out I think I will like those so much better though I hope the cord relaxes a bit. Went for broke and bought a cable holder too, it should be better than toothpick. Love the cables!
Anyway about the socks, I have crocheted countless pairs of socks and mittens from toe or cuff without a pattern.
I watched a video about knitting socks and some extraordinarily complicated way of casting on the toe, I guess so you don't have to seam it. Was wondering if you could crochet the beginning toe or finger seam by working up and down the chain then some kind of way getting those stitches on knitting needles and finishing.

[Kaleigh]

I watched a video about knitting socks and some extraordinarily complicated way of casting on the toe, I guess so you don't have to seam it. Was wondering if you could crochet the beginning toe or finger seam by working up and down the chain then some kind of way getting those stitches on knitting needles and finishing.

Was the method you were looking at "Judy's Magic Cast-On"? I tried it for the first time a few weeks ago. It was REALLY tough with double-pointed needles, but the end result floored me - no seam at all!

As for the crochet technique you mentioned, try checking out the provisional cast-on using a crochet hook. You essentially chain a bunch, then knit into the chain - later on, you unravel the chain and graft those cast-on stitches (which are still live) onto your working stitches!

[Shandeh]

I watched a video about knitting socks and some extraordinarily complicated way of casting on the toe, I guess so you don't have to seam it. Was wondering if you could crochet the beginning toe or finger seam by working up and down the chain then some kind of way getting those stitches on knitting needles and finishing.

Was the method you were looking at "Judy's Magic Cast-On"? I tried it for the first time a few weeks ago. It was REALLY tough with double-pointed needles, but the end result floored me - no seam at all!

As for the crochet technique you mentioned, try checking out the provisional cast-on using a crochet hook. You essentially chain a bunch, then knit into the chain - later on, you unravel the chain and graft those cast-on stitches (which are still live) onto your working stitches!

I always make my socks the standard "heel-to-toe" way. I enjoy doing the kitchener stitch at the end to close up the toe. Yeah, I know....I'm weird.

[yarnover]

I think I am going to give this a try with the left over yarn from the crochet along. Thanks
I have some regular needles and circular. Would it be ok to start with the circular or not? Since they are so much smaller I was wondering if it would make a differnce. My train of thought is that I would get used to the feel of the circulars right away.

[QueenE79]

Wow, that's awesome! I hope to get where you are

You can do it! Just stick with it, and keep learning new stitches and techniques. Before long, you will be able to knit any pattern you like.

I am liking it so far.Just have to practice my tension and holding the hook right.

You are a smart one! You are already realizing what you need to work on. I would recommend trying different needle positions and holds. Watch YouTube videos about English, Continental, Portuguese knitting, etc. Try out everything until the needles and yarn feel "right" in your hands. There is no wrong way to knit....unless it feels wrong to you.

My goal is to get to the point where I am able to make socks, but those 3 needles scare me, lol.

That's an awesome goal! My goal was to learn to knit cables. I started out making lots of garter stitch items, then learned the purl stitch. Then, I made a hat in the round on circular needles, then learned to use dpns at the top of the hat. I learned changing colors in the midst of those earlier projects. Next, I found a simple pattern for a scarf with one cable running all the way through....and it wasn't hard at all! I was SO proud!

After that, I learned to knit my first pair of socks, using a book called "Learn to Knit Socks". I used some cheap sportweight acrylic/nylon yarn for those socks, because I didn't want to worry about "ruining" nice yarn for my first pair. They turned out great, and I still wear them.....in fact, I'm wearing them right now!

Handknit Pink Socks by Shandeh, on Flickr

WOW, love those socks!!! I will get there, eventually. So far, so good with the dish cloth. Just taking FOREVER, lol

[Shandeh]

I think I am going to give this a try with the left over yarn from the crochet along. Thanks
I have some regular needles and circular. Would it be ok to start with the circular or not? Since they are so much smaller I was wondering if it would make a differnce. My train of thought is that I would get used to the feel of the circulars right away.

You can use circulars, just remember to turn your work at the end of each row.
I show how to do it in this video:
Straight Knitting with Circular Needles

When you say that the circulars are smaller, are you referring to the needle size?
Just be sure the needle size (width) is the right size for yarn you are using.
The label on the yarn will tell you what size needle to use.

[Shandeh]

Sometimes, while knitting, a stitch can fall off the needle, and then you are stuck with a run in your fabric. This is called a "dropped stitch".

I decided to make a video, showing how to pick up a dropped stitch in garter stitch knitting. (knitting every row)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6kciRvudQ8

I hope this helps some of you.

[Shandeh]

How is everyone's dishcloth coming along?

My dishcloth is 9 inches square, since I am a tight knitter. I didn't do a gauge swatch, but I don't mind having a 9 inch dishcloth.

In this video, I am binding off my dishcloth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e054ybhXeMo

I also show what to do with the last stitch left on your knitting needle at the end of the project.

[yarnover]

I think I am going to give this a try with the left over yarn from the crochet along. Thanks
I have some regular needles and circular. Would it be ok to start with the circular or not? Since they are so much smaller I was wondering if it would make a differnce. My train of thought is that I would get used to the feel of the circulars right away.

You can use circulars, just remember to turn your work at the end of each row.
I show how to do it in this video:
Straight Knitting with Circular Needles

When you say that the circulars are smaller, are you referring to the needle size?
Just be sure the needle size (width) is the right size for yarn you are using.
The label on the yarn will tell you what size needle to use.

Thanks Shandeh. When I said smaller I meant the actual Length of the needle.

[Shandeh]

Thanks Shandeh. When I said smaller I meant the actual Length of the needle.

Gotcha. I think it would be best if your circulars are about 20 - 24 inches long for this project. Shorter than that might be difficult for straight knitting. But, it wouldn't be impossible. Just give it a try, and see how it goes.