# Good resources for teaching an idiot how to knit? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 27, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227 "2011-11-27T12:30:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kiyoshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@Kiyoshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiyoshi)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/1 "2011-11-27T12:30:12Z")
For whatever reason, I’ve got it in my head that I want to learn how to knit, but so far I’ve not had much success. I’ve found that a lot of teaching resources are very vague. They either assume that you already know things (like how to do a slip knot), or they give you a bunch of options and expect you to know what to pick (like English vs Continental, or various methods of casting on). I’ve picked up a book called _Knitty Gritty_ by Aneeta Patel, which doesn’t assume that you know anything, but I’m finding it too hard to follow. The written instructions don’t make much sense to me, and the photos are too small for me to work out what’s going on. So. Does anyone know of an idiot-proof guide to knitting, which clearly explains every single step (including which type of wool and what size needles to use!) Something aimed towards children might be useful. Or perhaps a DVD? (There are lots of amateur videos on Youtube, but they’re not very good.) If you have taught yourself to knit, I would like to hear about your experiences! _(I know it would be easier to have someone teach me in person, but I don’t know anyone who can knit – not even my grandma can! – and there don’t seem to be any local classes.)_ ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/2 "2011-11-27T13:03:23Z")
I used a book called “Teach Yourself Visually how to Knit”. But since I am not an idiot, I can’t promise that it would work for you. I started on some size 9 straight needles, with some really cheap kit acrylic held double. No, wait, I think I used some mystery pink acrylic in about a worsted weight for practice before the really cheap stuff. Nothing wrong with the needles–although most of the ones I use now are much more expensive and better quality. I do recommend yarn with more substance than the stuff from that kit. And actually, using wool rather than acrylic is not a bad idea. But there’s a lot of flexibility about what needles to use with a given yarn, depending on your tension, your preferences, and your project. Getting started can be tricky, but once you grasp a few basics, the rest is just a matter of practice. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/3 "2011-11-27T13:27:41Z")
These helped me: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/yzz5QR0HG0E/hqdefault.jpg "Mrs. Moskowitz's Knits: How to Knit: Part I") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzz5QR0HG0E) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/dKgmkneSqCI/hqdefault.jpg "Mrs. Moskowitz's Knits: How to Knit: Part II") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKgmkneSqCI) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/p7zW2XFdaHM/hqdefault.jpg "Mrs Moskowitz's Knits: How to Knit: Part III") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7zW2XFdaHM) UT ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/4 "2011-11-27T14:00:30Z")
Your local yarn store probably gives lessons. If you have an adult education program in your community, they probably also have lessons, or a knitting group you could join that would have plenty of members happy to teach. I do not remember how I learned – it was more than 40 years ago, though I didn’t pick it up again till about 5 years ago – but I have found that some things are easier to learn if someone is sitting right there with you. (Long tail cast-on, for instance.) ---
**Author:** ![Fearless\_Leader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Fearless\_Leader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fearless_Leader)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/5 "2011-11-27T14:22:23Z")
I adore this website: [http://www.knittinghelp.com/](http://www.knittinghelp.com/) I taught myself how to knit from this website several years ago and still reference it frequently. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/6 "2011-11-27T16:24:13Z")
Lion Brand (a yarn company) has free text+video tutorials. [http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/](http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/) I have never used the knitting ones, but the crochet ones are excellent so I would expect the same for knit. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/7 "2011-11-27T16:28:59Z")
Crochet and knitting are skills best learned directly from another person. My grandmother taught several members of my family. She’d show them a stitch or knot and then later another more advanced one. They’d sit side by side on the sofa and she’d correct any mistakes. Now people she taught are teaching younger members of the family. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/8 "2011-11-27T16:34:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Crochet and knitting are skills best learned directly from another person. Well, that’s nice if it’s possible, but not much help if it isn’t. No one in my family crochets, ergo, I am self taught because what other option did I have? It’s a bit absurd to say “oh, well if you can’t have someone teach you just give it up now.” It’s untrue that you MUST learn from others. Not to mention the fact that you knit doesn’t make you a good teacher - some people would really be better off teaching themselves instead of trying to learn from family. > [@](#): > > every single step (including which type of wool and what size needles to use!) Every yarn and ever needle size has a an application. So a basic tutorial is not going to indicate a wool and needle size - because you can learn on any yarn and any needle size. Most people select a smooth-textured mid-sized yarn (which has various names depending on what country you live in, but “worsted weight” and “aran” are common terms in the US and UK respectively) and a mid-sized needle around 5-6mm (US size 9 or 10) OP, you should sign up for [Ravelry.com](http://Ravelry.com). its a large site for knitters and crocheters and you will find endless assistance and masses of information. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/9 "2011-11-27T21:18:16Z")
I learned from “The Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework” I also learned how to crochet, quilt, and make lace (tatting, needle, and bobbin) from that book. I really recommend the book. I’d recommend size 7-9 straight needles and worsted or aran weight yarn. Acrylic is forgiving and cheap and you won’t care if you make a mess of it and you can undo it easily. ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/10 "2011-11-27T23:50:51Z")
the knit stitch by sally melville seems to have pretty clear instructions and pictures. I learned as a child from my mother and the relearned as an adult from books so I knew the theory when I retaught myself. ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/11 "2011-11-28T00:10:38Z")
they give you options because there isn;t one “true” way. My Mother loves thecontinental way and I hate it, it makes my hnds cramp up. also, I like to purl and she sys purling is more difficult with continental style. I would think if you are left handed contenital would be easier for you as well. You can knot every yarn on a variety of needles and in fact most instructions highly recommond test swatces to find foind the right size for what you want to do. Most beginners start with a long tailed cast on but other cast ons are better for differnt applications (and look different) Personally if I want a differnt cast on I have to look it up either in a book or on the internet. After knotting fro several years I found that I was knitting “wrong” when I tried to make lace. I was wrapping my knit stitches counter clockwise and my purl stitches colockwise and that doesn’t work with lace. I didn’t know until I had a friend watch me knot to see why I didn’t have holes in my knitting. I also don’t wrap the yarn around my fingers to tension because it didn’t work for me. Like anthing it takes some prctise to get the hang of it. here is a site with some basic instructions for a scarf. I like the3 way she explains and the pictures seem quite clear to me. You can email me directly if you get stuck and I will try to find some other resources to assist [http://stacienaczelnik.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Knit-a-Scarf---An-Illustrated--Step-by-Step-Guide](http://stacienaczelnik.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Knit-a-Scarf---An-Illustrated--Step-by-Step-Guide) ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/12 "2011-11-28T00:18:52Z")
I tried to learn knitting both from books and from other people, but I didn’t make any progress and got horribly frustrated. I figured YouTube tutorials might work, because I can pause and rewind them to see exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. Unfortunately, most of them were so fast paced or poorly shot that I couldn’t really tell what they were doing. I finally found a series of tutorials that worked for me. Here’s the [first one](http://www.youtube.com/user/CitalL86#p/u/15/G9hv44QwQ-A) in the series. It appears to be aimed toward teens, but if it works, it works. Be forewarned: It takes a lot practice before the various coordinated hand and finger movements become semi-automatic. Until they do, it’s a slow and frustrating slog. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/13 "2011-11-28T01:38:07Z")
**adhemar** has a good link if you are a visual learner. I’ve also heard there is a “for Dummies” book for both knitting and crocheting. I just taught my cousin to crochet this weekend. Don’t get too wound up about being perfect but rather learning technique. Once you know the basic knit stitch, you will be able to expand to most every fancier stitch. Work on holding the yarn properly to keep the proper amount of tension between your fingers and the needles. The rest of your knitting will thank you. 🙂 ETA: Don’t give up! It takes practice to be good at yarn crafts. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/14 "2011-11-28T14:00:00Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Crochet and knitting are skills best learned directly from another person. Agree with that. While videos are much better than pictures that always look way too complicated, a live person can answer questions and correct your mistakes in a way that no video can. So if your local craft store or adult school doesn’t have a knitters group, maybe with skype and video conferencing you can find somebody online to give you help for your specific problems? ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/15 "2011-11-28T14:34:17Z")
I will second the advice to check out [knittinghelp.com](http://knittinghelp.com) . The videos are clear and easy to follow. If you have a Michael’s, AC Moore, or Joann Fabrics near you, almost all of them offer knitting classes, usually starting at $25-$30 at most. Also look at community education courses at nearby colleges: several in my area offer knitting, crocheting, and quilting classes, among other crafts. I taught myself how to knit from books, but have learned that I am apparently an anomaly! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/16 "2011-11-28T17:39:36Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > I learned from “The Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework” > > I also learned how to crochet, quilt, and make lace (tatting, needle, and bobbin) from that book. I really recommend the book. > > I’d recommend size 7-9 straight needles and worsted or aran weight yarn. Acrylic is forgiving and cheap and you won’t care if you make a mess of it and you can undo it easily. I second this book. My grandmother gave me a copy when I was probably around 10 yo. She taught me to crochet, but I learned everything else from this book. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-resources-for-teaching-an-idiot-how-to-knit/604227/17 "2011-11-29T06:01:29Z")
I was shown how to knit by **LillithFair** but I also bought a CD at JoAnn Fabrics on learning to knit that was very helpful for clarifying some steps.