# Calling all Knitters! New Knitter Needs an Answer! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 24, 2001, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000 "2001-06-24T20:51:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![They\_Call\_Me\_Sneeze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@They\_Call\_Me\_Sneeze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/They_Call_Me_Sneeze)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2001, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/1 "2001-06-24T20:51:55Z")
I am so excited by this knitting thing, you have no idea. So far I know how to: cast on do regular rows bind off That’s it. Purl 1, Pearl 2 - I have no idea. And right now, as far as I know, I dont need to know how to do any of the purl/pearling. What I do need to know is: how do you switch colors? I am knitting a practice-square, and I want to switch from magenta to berry colored (so I figure out how to do it) but I cant find anyone online who tells you how. Are there any knitting Dopers out there who can tell me how to switch yarns, and can do so in a way that a very inexperienced knitter would be able to understand? Thanks! Sneeze ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2001, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/2 "2001-06-24T22:14:44Z")
At the beginning of the row, cut the yarn you are presently using, leaving a tail. Attach the new yarn with a slip knot around the old yarn, also leaving a tail of the new. Then work the ends into the seam when you finish. ---
**Author:** ![Devin\_Austra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Devin\_Austra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Devin_Austra)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2001, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/3 "2001-06-24T22:16:48Z")
Well, I can crochet (sort of) and I learned from one of those “Learn to Crochet” books they sell at Wal-Mart. If you can get your hands on one of those for knitting, it explains all the basics of knitting (or crocheting) in layman’s terms, so they’re easy to understand. They also have good pictures to show you how a stitch is supposed to look. I’m looking at my “Learn to Knit” book right now (the one I never bothered with yet) and I honestly couldn’t describe how to do it in just words, but I’ll try. It basically says that you should make your stitches over the new color…several stitches before you actually need that color, you just hold the end of the new color inside your stitches as you work them, then where you need the new color you just drop the old color and start with the new one. When I crochet, I just drop the old color and start stitching with the new one, and use a yarn needle to run the tails of the yarn into the weave to hold them in place once I’ve made enough stitches to hold the yarn in place. It also depends on the pattern. Designs, big blocks of color, and small ribbons of color are all stitched differently. ---
**Author:** ![They\_Call\_Me\_Sneeze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@They\_Call\_Me\_Sneeze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/They_Call_Me_Sneeze)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/4 "2001-06-25T04:13:04Z")
Thanks Jillgat and Devin Austra! I have switched yarn about twelve times in the last fourteen lines! Those slip knots are tricksy, though. And Devin, one of those books is definitly on my list of things to get for knitting. I dont have access to a Walmart or Michaels or knitting store, so I have to order it through a catelog, but as soon as I get my next paycheck - purl/pearling, here I come! : ) Thanks again! Sneeze ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/5 "2001-06-25T04:30:51Z")
Used book stores frequently have craft books. So do libraries. In fact, I’ve never yet encountered a library that DIDN’T have basic knitting and crochet books. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Devin\_Austra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Devin\_Austra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Devin_Austra)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/6 "2001-06-25T04:51:24Z")
Sneeze, if you want MY book, you can have it. Seriously. It’s one of those kits…comes with a set of needles, stitch holders, a gauge, etc. along with the book. I’ve had it for nearly a year, and I’ll never use it. It’s yours if you want it - I’ve opened it maybe three times and read the book, but I’ve never used it and probably never will. I just have too many projects going at this time (various chainmail projects, two cross-stitch projects, one latch hook rug, etc.) E-mail me if you’re interested. All it’s doing here is gathering dust. ---
**Author:** ![Atropos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Atropos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atropos)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/7 "2001-06-25T05:37:03Z")
You can also go to [http://knitting.about.com/mbody/htm](http://knitting.about.com/mbody/htm) There is a section on learning to knit. ---
**Author:** ![Spooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Spooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spooky)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/8 "2001-06-25T07:24:58Z")
Hi Sneeze! I’m a beginning knitter myself, and I have to tell you that there is no substitute for having someone teach you in person. Explanations and diagrams are just too confusing. It’s fun to take lessons, if you can Enjoy. (Knit one, Purl two…) ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/9 "2001-06-25T17:18:06Z")
[http://www.woolworks.org/](http://www.woolworks.org/) is also a great online knitting resource. I learned from books (and patterns, and magazines) so it can be done - if that’s a good learning style for you. I’d recommend at least looking at Vogue Knitting or Knitting Without Tears. They’re both great books to have around. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/10 "2001-06-25T17:54:34Z")
I second _Knitting Without Tears_ - it’s a great book. Also, here’s instructions at [stitchguide.com](http://www.stitchguide.com/pages/kn_purl.html) on how to purl, along with some patterns. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2001, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-knitters-new-knitter-needs-an-answer/70000/11 "2001-06-25T20:17:36Z")
The Very Best Way to join new yarn is to cut the old yarn, leaving a six inch tail, and then make several stitches using _both_ strands, old and new, held together. Knots are an anathema in fine work–avoid them whenever possible! Ditto everyone’s advice on getting a simple how-to-knit book. Even a very basic one will be an invaluable resource for years to come.