How to Knit????

Ok, so I've looked at every knitting tutorial there is, every diagram, everything. You name it. I COULD NOT knit if my life hung in the balance. I always screw it up (i.e. the yarn in the middle of the two needles is too slack, I can NEVER knit the last stitch because it always decides to screw up; no idea if I'm even doing it right because I can never make it past the first row no matter what I do). The only thing I can do is start it off by casting on. Can someone come up with a DETAILED tutorial with pictures/words? (PLEASE assume that I'm an idiot and can't assume anything)

I do have a little crocheting experience, btw.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
8 replies since 3rd April 2010 • Last reply 3rd April 2010

Reply #1:

Hi, Have you tried wrapping the yarn around your little finger as you are knitting to keep a tension on the yarn? Try knitting blocks using different stitch types to get a 'feel' for patterns and correct tension. If your stitches are too big try knitting on a smaller size Happy

http://www.knittinghelp.com/

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #2:

I think you need someone with you to physically show you what to do. My nan taught me when I was a kid and it was much easier having someone watch what I was doing than try to follow a diagram.
Failing that the book Knitting for Dummies (no offence) is very good and will also tell you where you've gone wrong (if you do). It's very detailed and the diagrams are good, I use it myself now as nan shuffled off this mortal coil to join the choir invisible=)

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #3:

If you need a visual, video is always good, that's how I learned how to crochet. Try this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uw-nUvGrBY

Hope it helps. Good luck!

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #4:

try another cast on kind, i know if i use the backwards E cast on i have a very loose string, but if i use a long tail cast on, there is no problems Happy

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #5:

I wish I could help you.I love teaching others to knit.I even managed to teach my left handed friend.It was confusing and hard,but we sucseeded on the end.Happy
Im with Laurel on this-its much easier if someone sits next to you and shows step by step.I learned some basic from my mom and other I figured out from the net and with friends.
Maybe try to find someone in your family or neighborhood who knows how to knit and will show you.Its much easier.
I would make a how to,but I dont know the terms and how casts are called,and my english is not so good.Im sorry,hope youll find someone,knitting is much fun.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #6:

well were r u at maybe there is someone near u that can show u try looking up a knitting guild i had all of those same problems when i was teaching myself the last stitch is always a little weird if u ask me and consentrate on an even tension after u do a row or 2 or quite a few times i would just drop the last stitch and just start next row till i figured it out

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #7:

Thank you all for your comments!! I think that tension is part of the problem, as well as not learning from a human being and trying to suffer through this knitting book written for preteens (gimme a break. since when is 10 "preteen"?). I did take a lesson, but I fell out of practice and can't knit to save my life. I will check out the videos and make a call to my aunt (who can knit). I think I'll look for knitting for dummies at the local library as well ^_^;

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #8:

if it makes u feel any better i can knit very well but i cant figure out crochet 2 save my life either so ya

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam


Reply