Stitches

Knitting!?

How do you start to knit- like cast on? THANKS!

Public Comments

1. go to google and type in how to start knitting
2. http://knittingHelp.com This should help you
3. http://www.knittinghelp.com/ try this site there are lots of videos showing you all the basics
4. go to Lionbrand.com and search the website. They also have free patterns for beginners. The site will also show you how to cast on and explain the knitting. I go there alot and its a great site. Good luck and your knitting.
5. Check out the links the others have offered. There are lots and lots of different methods of casting on. Different ones are better for different things. Sometimes you'll want something stretchy. Sometimes you'll want something firm. Sometimes you'll want something so the cast-on edge will look just like the bind-off/cast-off edge. Sometimes you'll want to go back and pick up the beginning and continue knitting in the opposite direction. Me, I choose a method according to the application. You, if you're a beginner, just pick a method. If the first one isn't comfortable or suitable, you'll have immediate incentive to learn a second method, or third, or fourth. :-) The simplest method is putting e-stitches on one needle by hand and then knitting them off with the other needle. It doesn't make a "nice" edge, but it does get you going quickly. Don't use this for the cuff of a sock, but it works fine for me for socks worked toe-up with short-row'd toes and heels.
6. try knittinghelp.com
7. Ask your grandma! Or anyone else's grandma. There's probably an old lady in your street who'll be happy to teach you, or there could be a knitting club in your town. It might be full of old ladies, but they aren't bad company.
8. www.knitting.about.com is good. The original moderator now has her own site www.knittingonthenet.com Also, any knitting magazine will have directions for casting on. Me? Although some say to start with a slip knot, I just make a loop around the needle and twist the yarn tail a bit to hold it. As said earlier, there are many ways to cast on. A knitted cast on involves putting the other needle through that loop, just like knitting, wrapping the working end of the yarn, pulling the new loop through the old loop. Normally, when knitting, you would then let the old loop fall off the needle, but you're trying to get a series of loops for your cast on. INSTEAD, slide that new loop onto the left needle. You now have two loops on one needle, none on the other. Slide the empty needle into the second loop, knit one stitch as before, and slide this third loop onto the "full" needle. Keep going until you have fifteen stitches on the needle. Now you're ready to start knitting proper. Do as before, but this time, DO let the old loop fall off the left needle. You now have fourteen loops on the left and one on the right. Continue pulling a new loop through the old loop and letting the old loop drop until you have knit fifteen stitches onto the right hand needle. Now switch hands. Pull the working yarn UNDER the left hand needle (not over as that pulls the old loop up over the needle and gives you an unwanted increase). Always start with the empty needle in your right hand. Count your stitches regularly to make sure you haven't gained or lost stitches. Keep going until you're sick and tired of the bracelet or headband or belt you've just made. Now check online for an easy beginner pattern and get ready to become addicted to a hobby that's NOT just for grannies any more! (So there, you up above above me, who thinks the only people who knit are old ladies. We're chicks with pointy sticks and we know how to use them! Two pointy sticks, two eyes in your silly head... get the idea?)