I taught myself to knit.
It came from a place of absolute boredom and not knowing what to do with myself or my free time.
My first degree is a bachelor of visual arts. Let’s face it – in my rural area, there was no real viable way to generate a decent income with this degree. (I couldn’t keep doing pastels of parrots for a $50 commission – true story). So I went back for a different degree – nursing. Getting my BSN was all consuming. Between studying, going to clinicals, and writing papers… well, there was no down time.
Once I graduated, and was waiting for a job, I found myself with massive amounts of free time. I was almost beside myself because I had no idea what to do to entertain myself. We didn’t have cable (still don’t), and I was too broke to go shopping or renovate our house. Somehow, I decided I would learn to knit. I already knew how to crochet thanks to my grandmother, but I didn’t like it. (Why I thought I would like knitting when I didn’t like crochet is beyond me, but glad I didn’t use that as an excuse not to learn).
Off I went to the local Walmart, where I found a Boye Teach Yourself to Knit Kit. I brought that sucker home and immediately started trying to knit. Only problem was I could not knit how they were teaching. I kept wanting to hold the needle in my left hand – very similar to how I crocheted.
However, I managed to make a knit fabric holding my needle differently. I thought I had invented a new way of knitting!!! (I didn’t – about a month later I found out that I was just knitting continental style rather than the traditional English method).
That was all it took. Once I made that first little square of knitted fabric, I was off to the races. I also didn’t realize certain techniques were supposed to be hard. Looking back, I have to laugh at the first projects I picked.
The very first thing I made was the Calorimetry headband, not realizing it entailed short rows, and there are whole classes devoted to this technique!!! The second thing I made was a color work hat, the Center Square hat. Again, not realizing there are WHOLE CLASSES devoted to this! I remember buying the yarn for it, and when I told the salesgirl what I was making she tried to talk me out of it. But, I wouldn’t have it – I was certain I could do it. And I did, while maybe not perfect, it got finished!
There are so many ways to learn to knit!
If you would rather not teach yourself from a book, there are multiple ways to learn to knit. Maybe you need demonstrations and you are a visual learner, if so – then I highly suggest Craftsy!!!! I LOVE THEM! I have taken multiple classes from them. They have classes from beginner knitting, to very advanced projects and designs, including writing your own patterns! The classes are yours for life once you buy them. You can rewind and watch the same stitch over and over if you need to. You can pause it when you need to. The teachers interact with the students, answering questions. And you can talk to other students as well! It’s such a great community, and the teachers are world class. I have bought SO MANY CLASSES! They are an invaluable resource.
It only takes two unique stitches, done in different variations, to knit. Seriously – ONLY TWO! So, don’t be scared, just jump right in…..
I’d love to see and hear about your first knitting projects!
My mum taught me to knit when I was little. I made a lot of scarves because they were the easiest. I still have heaps of them, beanies too and I have made jackets and jumpers for my kids. I don’t knit much these days, though, mostly because I prefer to crochet, but knitting is definitely a great hobby to start.
I love beanies because they are so quick!! Thanks for dropping by! Happy Crocheting!