Learn To Knit Or Crochet! Get Started Now!

Learn To Knit Or Crochet! Get Started Now!

image sources: Lacy Crochet, Zoom Yummy, Crochet And Knitting Patterns, Repeat Crafter Me, Crochet Spot, Craftsy

Whether you want to learn to knit or crochet, you are going to need most of the same basic items, so that’s what we are addressing here today.  I learned to crochet as a kid so it comes more naturally to me, but I self taught myself knitting as an adult.  It’s nice to have someone show you the ropes, but with a little patience you can definitely learn either on your own!

Find yourself a good book.  You want one with nice, easy to follow instructions and detailed pictures.  Don’t be embarrassed if the one you like is written for a kid, it’s always a good way to go!

Melanie Falick’s Kids Knitting: Projects for Kids of all Ages got a ton of positive feedback on knitting websites!

Debbie Stoller has been touted as the leader in the resurgence of knitting!  Her Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook flies off the shelves!

I haven’t seen them but Sally Melville’s books get tons of kudos for fabulous detailed pictures!  Especially recommended are The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch and The Knitting Experience Book 2: The Purl Stitch!

The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition: *All You Need to Know to Crochet by Margaret Hubert gets great reviews for the detailed pictures!

Debbie Stoller is into all kinds of yarn arts so she also has Stitch N’ Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker.

Getting Started Crochet is by Judith L. Swartz, who also authored Hip to Crochet.  Both are very popular!

Needles and Hooks – whether you are knitting or crocheting you have 3 basic types to choose from: wood, metal or plastic.  I have both types in all 3 finishes.  But my preference for crochet is metal and for knitting it is bamboo (wood).  Everybody likes something different, so find what works for you!

You’ll find that buying a set of hooks or needles are going to overall cost you less per needle, but it’s more expensive to just determine if you are going to like doing something (especially for knitting).  So I suggest just getting one, in the size whatever instruction book you’re using recommends.

I really like these standard, single point Knitting Needles by Clover.  The feel is good and the point is thinner, which makes it easier to slide through stitches!

I’ve used Susan Bates Aluminum Crochet Hooks forever.  They are a good weight, they have a nice smooth finish and they are inexpensive!

Yarn – For your first project don’t go crazy on yarn. Buy one skein of something inexpensive in a single color, in worsted weight (the most basic weight of yarn). Your first project might just be a square or a single skein scarf.  Multi-color yarn can make it more difficult to see the individual stitches and it is often multi-strands rolled together to make one thicker strand.  You stitch and pull out and stitch again and those strands are more likely to pull apart which makes it hard to work!

Pretty much everyone I know started with a skein of Red Heart Yarn. It fits all of the criteria and is available in so many colors!

There are lots of other tools and fun things you can use in your yarn project but the one you need is a stitch gauge. This Boye Metal Stitch and Row Gauge Needle Check is all you need. It works for both knitting and crocheting and if you learn how to block and gauge your projects right from the start, you will save yourself years of grief!