Learn to Knit!

[Shandeh]

Would you like to learn to knit? We are happy to help you learn!

You will find lots of great instructions, and many helpful people here in the Bernat Forum. So, you will never be alone as you try out knitting.

Here's how to get started with knitting.

First, you will need a set of size 8 (5 mm) or 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles.

knitting needles by Shandeh, on Flickr

You will also need a skein of sturdy medium weight yarn. (Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, Bernat Super Value, or Bernat Waverly are all good choices.


We will be making a Dishcloth, but it can also be used as a hotpad or large coaster.


If you want it to be used a dishcloth, you will want to use cotton yarn. But, keep in mind that cotton yarn can sometimes be difficult for beginners, since it has no stretch at all.

You might want to use an "ombre" or "variegated" skein of yarn, which has lots of different colors all in the same skein. Bernat Handicrafter in "Beach Ball Blue Ombre" is a good example of this.

Beach Ball Blue Ombre by Shandeh, on Flickr

When you knit with an ombre yarn like that, the colors will change as you work, making your project very colorful and fun. Makes it even more fun to learn. Plus, it makes it easy to see your stitches as you are working them.

If you don't have your knitting needles and yarn yet, you can watch these videos for now. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with knitting. Crystal with Bernat made these, and they are very easy to see and learn.

How to Start Using Yarn from the Center of the Skein
Making a Slip Knot and Casting On Stitches
Working the Knit Stitch
Ending your Project (Casting Off)

You can also see some basic knitting illustrations here on the Bernat website on this page:
Learn to Knit Instructions: http://www.bernat.com/learntoknit.php
PDF Version: http://www.bernat.com/misc/Bernat_LearnToKnit.pdf

After you start knitting, you will probably have lots of questions.
You'll find some answers to lots of those questions here: http://www.bernat.com/yarnKnitCrochet/

Of course, you should feel free to ask questions here in the Bernat Forum as well. We want to help!

HOW-TO VIDEOS FOR OUR KNIT DISHCLOTH

If you are learning along with us here in the forum, be sure to join the forum, so you can talk to us about your progress! In our next post, we will get started on our project.

[dogfoster]

Sort of interested...from looking at the KAL posts it seems that there are two different styles of knitting but I don't know what they are or the difference between them. Any advantages/disadvantages to either? Which way does the Bernat tutorials teach? Thanks.

[Shandeh]

Sort of interested...from looking at the KAL posts it seems that there are two different styles of knitting but I don't know what they are or the difference between them. Any advantages/disadvantages to either? Which way does the Bernat tutorials teach? Thanks.

Yes, there are two different styles (actually there are several more different styles, which you can find on YouTube). English knitting is how Bernat instructs. In that method, you hold the working yarn in your right hand, and wrap each stitch with the same hand. The other method is called Continental knitting, and you hold the working yarn in your left hand, then "pick" the stitches out with your right hand - similar to crochet.

You will discover many heated debates on the internet, extolling the benefits of each method.

But, of course, it's really just a matter of preference. You should try each method, to see which one works best for you.

Here in this tutorial, we will be teaching the English method.

[Shichemell]

I’ve tried knitting before and found it frustrating because if I make a mistake I would have to frog the whole thing and start over.

There are so many beautiful things that can be knit, I’d love to try again. Let’s see if I can knit a dishcloth.

[Shandeh]

I’ve tried knitting before and found it frustrating because if I make a mistake I would have to frog the whole thing and start over.
There are so many beautiful things that can be knit, I’d love to try again. Let’s see if I can knit a dishcloth.

Knitting definitely requires patience when you are learning. Over time, you will learn to fix mistakes with confidence. Try watching a knit stitch very slowly, carefully observing how the yarn is manipulated by the needles. Next, undo that same stitch in reverse. This will show you how to "tink" (knit spelled backwards), which will come in handy if you need to go back a few stitches.

Also, watch some knitting videos about picking up a dropped stitch, and how to rip back to a destination row. You also might try adding a "lifeline" occasionally, while you are learning.

Good luck!

[zhanie]

I’ve tried knitting before and found it frustrating because if I make a mistake I would have to frog the whole thing and start over.

There are so many beautiful things that can be knit, I’d love to try again. Let’s see if I can knit a dishcloth.

That is why I always preferred to crochet, with knitting I would see the mistake too late! Now with practise I can fix a dropped stitch (I used to always use a crochet hook for this, now I still do sometimes). I kinda prefer knitting today, after making my first blanket here on the Bernat forum! (so proud and excited about that!!)
Yes you can knit a dishcloth!! go Shichemell go!!!

[Shandeh]

Last night, I made a couple videos to help you learn to cast on and knit.

Here's the video I made for Casting On.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPx0HX0XOVo

In that video, I show three different methods for casting on. (Simple thumb cast-on, Knitted cast-on, and Long Tail cast-on.)

I also discuss what kind of needles you should use, and I explain how to read the knitting pattern.

The second video showed how to knit the first row, but that video did not come out right.
So, I'll make another one later.

[Shandeh]

How is your dishcloth coming along?

For my dishcloth, I'm using Bernat Handicrafter "Peace & Love" yarn, in the color "Psychedelic", and size 9 (US) knitting needles.

Dishcloth in Progress by Shandeh, on Flickr

I did not do a gauge swatch for my cloth, because gauge is not important to me for a dishcloth.
I decided to just measure across my work, and then make it as long as it is wide, so it will be a square.

Measuring across my cloth, it is about 9 inches.

Measuring Width by Shandeh, on Flickr

So, now I am measuring the length, until I get it to be 9 inches, from the top of the knitting needle to the bottom of the work. In this photo, I am at 8 inches, so I still have another inch to go.

Measuring Length by Shandeh, on Flickr

[dogfoster]

Yesterday I knitted a baby hat, today one baby mitt, and half of a baby sock. These are quick and easy patterns
Anyway I have had fun learning to knit. It is much much different that crochet! I had to choose patterns that need to be seamed because I am just learning, and do not have circular needles, not ready for them yet!

[Shandeh]

Yesterday I knitted a baby hat, today one baby mitt, and half of a baby sock. These are quick and easy patterns
Anyway I have had fun learning to knit. It is much much different that crochet! I had to choose patterns that need to be seamed because I am just learning, and do not have circular needles, not ready for them yet!

Wow! You are a FAST learner!