Knitting Beginners: Good Tips (No Advertising)

Dear users and authors,
what tips do you have for knitting beginners?

Hi everyone,

here’s my tip: choose a pattern that uses knit and purl stitches.
That way, you’ll experience a sense of accomplishment instead of frustration when you set your project aside because you’re stuck.

Best regards,
Birgit

@Birgit 

Hi :) I think that’s how everyone started out at some point :) I know for sure that as a kid (around age 10), I would always start a scarf—knit and purl rows... and I never, ever actually finished it *laughs*

So to all beginner knitters: stick with it! It’s definitely worth it :)

Wishing everyone success, kind regards 

@ Christine,

Do you still have the scarf? Then I’ll finish knitting it for you!

Kind regards,

Birgit

@Birgit

Haha :)

At some point—around age 14—I started one and actually finished it. Hihi
But thanks a lot for the offer *laughs* 

For a true “complete” beginner, I’d also suggest something that can be finished quickly—a hat, for example, or simple pot holders. As a beginner, you might not have much patience, but with a small project like that, you’ll quickly experience a sense of accomplishment and soon feel confident enough to tackle bigger projects. :-)

And don’t be afraid of patterns! Good patterns may sometimes be a bit long, but they’re always structured so that each step builds on the one before it. Never read the entire pattern at once—that confuses not only beginners but also seasoned knitters ;-)

@Steffi
In my patterns, I always recommend reading them completely and thoroughly before you start. In my experience, that answers a lot of questions up front. ;-)

@ Wollness: I don’t do that, but I do regularly include references throughout the knitting process that help answer any questions that might come up. Or, if something really needs to be read beforehand, I’ll explicitly point it out again. Obviously, everyone has their own approach ;-) Personally, I never read patterns all the way through—I just trust that I’ll be guided step by step. However, if it says I should read everything, then I do—because the author had a reason for saying so :-)

So, dear knitting newbies: Just let the pattern authors take you by the hand and guide you through the pattern the way they intended. But it’s definitely highly recommended to read carefully—whether all at once or bit by bit (depending on how the pattern is structured)!

Oops—my post just disappeared. Here’s what I was going to say:

Let your gauge swatches (about 10 cm x 10 cm—whether crocheted or knitted) rest for at least 12 hours before measuring or counting them, because the stitches can still change.

This often also explains why gauge swatches don’t quite match the actual knitted piece.
And please make sure to actually knit the full 10 cm x 10 cm. That’s also how you get used to the yarn and needle size.

Best regards,
Traudelina

I always recommend YouTube, too. There are videos on almost every knitting technique, and once you’ve seen how something works, it’s that much easier. 

In the beginning—and later on too—the great patterns on Ravelry are a big help, and I have to agree with the previous commenters: gauge swatches, gauge swatches, gauge swatches ;-)

But of course, what also helps so you don’t lose interest right at the start is having the right tools. Buy good knitting needles so the yarn glides properly. Nothing is more frustrating than needles that snag.

Best regards
Thordis

I have one very practical tip: Buy a good (inexpensive) pair of reading glasses from Rossmann & Co. that gives you good magnification. That’s the only way you’ll be able to see and count the stitches clearly. This way, row by row, you can be sure the number of stitches is correct. If it’s only ever roughly right, you won’t get the result you want. It’s better to work slowly and carefully—then it’ll turn out just fine.

Best, Ina

@Thordis
we have lots of great patterns for knitting beginners here on Crazypatters.
Click here.

I used to be very impatient—what’s the point of a gauge swatch? It’ll turn out fine somehow! But today, I can only say that the time you invest in a gauge swatch is well worth it.

And, as Ina already mentioned, patience!

Best regards, Petra

And here’s another yarn tip for beginners:

Mohair yarns tend to snag and are hard to unravel, so it’s better to use well-twisted yarns or even roving yarns.

Classic “pot holder yarn” is one of the so-called folded yarns and is difficult to crochet with (knitting is SLIGHTLY better, but still not exactly easy), because every now and then you end up splitting the yarn with the hook or needle—it happens even to pros. So even for pot holders, use a better-twisted (cotton) yarn so it’s more fun to work with.

Best regards,
Traudelina

Dear beginners: Based on my experience with beginner knitters at school, I recommend using smooth, well-twisted yarn and knitting needles that aren’t too long. Pay special attention to the edge stitches so they don’t become too loose and are properly knitted. This is especially important for children: if possible, always finish a row before setting the work aside (the students often continued knitting in the wrong direction otherwise!)
Most importantly: be patient and don’t lose heart—as the saying goes, practice makes perfect! Good luck!

I recommend that beginners try out several needle sizes with the same yarn.
I consider the information on the label to be just a recommendation.
It works for some people, but not for others.

Since there are also different types of knitting needles—it’s best to test which material (metal, wood, bamboo) feels right for you and works well with the type of yarn you’re using.

The type of yarn is a topic in itself.
In addition to the intended use, I think it’s important that it feels good in your hand and is pleasant to work with.
Price is secondary at first.