Tips on Knitting for Beginners
Developing Good Habits Using Knitting Basics is Essential
Jun 27, 2007
Tips on knitting for beginners will provide a life long gratifying hobby. Knitting basics are not difficult to learn. A little perseverance and practice will lead to rewarding results.
Here are eleven tips for knitting beginners that will ensure the novas has the tools for success.
1. Start small; with simple projects and gradually increase the level of difficulty.
2. First completely read the instructions for the item you are going to make to avoid surprises along the way.
3. Always, always, always make the gauge! It may seem like a waste of time but will save hours of heartbreaking undoing. Knitting the gauge allows the knitter to make adjustments in the size of needles to find the proper size for the finished item. (An excellent suggestion for the use of gauges is coming!)
4. Use the recommended yarn or its equivalent listed in the knitting instructions. (When substituting yarns, it is very important to knit the gauge to determine if the tension is the same as the knitting pattern.)
5. Experiment by holding the yarn two different ways until one is found that produces an even tension. For example a tight knit row and then a looser purl row, will result in a pattern with ridges and will look messy. With practice the fingers will become accustomed to the feel of the yarn. Good knitting habits developed now will pay dividends in all finished pieces. (Practice even tension while working the gauge.)
6. Learn and practice to cast on and bind off for neatly finished items. There are various methods for both, which produce different looking edges. (And yes, the gauge is the perfect place to practice these techniques too.)
7. Keep a pen and paper handy or a row counter (a handy little tubular gadget that can be purchased, that slips onto the end of a needle) to keep track of how many rows are completed. This is particularly helpful with more difficult patterns. One extra row in one sleeve of a sweater will result in a horrible mismatch.
8. On buying yarn: when purchasing more than one ball of same colored yarn, check that the dye lot numbers are the same. All the balls may appear to be the same color in a bin, but very subtle differences in the dye lots exist. Depending on the item that is being made, this can ruin a perfectly knit project. (Keep one of the paper bands that surround the balls with the dye lot number printed on it, just in case you need to purchase more.)
9. Prepare a safe place to store a current knitting project, such as a knitting bag or a basket. It is disappointing to return to a project and find that stitches have been lost.
10. Here are some useful ideas for saved gauges (if it is not going to be ripped out to reuse the yarn).
- Gauges made from cotton yarn can be used for coasters, dishcloths, pot holders (doubled up), hot mats (just crochet or embroider an edging for a more decorative look)
- Gauges made from an assortment of fibers can be put together to make a patchwork throw, shawl, baby’s blanket, pillow cover etc. Let your imagination be your boundary.
- Stitched up to form tubes for pencil holders and warmers for coffee cups and baby bottles
11. Finally (this may be the most important tip); hustling hands pave the way for a happy heart and a managed mind, which equals a brawny body. (Who knew a pair of sticks and a bit of yarn could do all that!)
