Getting started, and at her knit's end
February 22, 2010 11:53 AM Subscribe
Basic Knitting Filter, on behalf of my wife: “My problem is that I can cast off easily but I can't figure out why I am not able to do a first stitch.”
“I follow the directions as well as I can. I place the tip of the right needle under the first loop of the left needle. Fine. I keep the yarn taut as I can and pull it counter-clockwise between the two needles (left needle on top of right needle) but then that's when things get weird. Which loop am I supposed to pull the right needle through? The one that it looks like on the videos doesn't look like the one I have in hand.”
She's apparently tried following several different videos online, including ones at knittinghelp.com and from YouTube, but is hitting some sort of knitting block -- and we don't know any knitters that can provide in-person pointers or help.
Help for this specific question is welcome; also, what knitting resources would you recommend for somebody learning to knit with no in-person people to fall back on for instruction? Web sites are good, recommended books could also be useful.
“I follow the directions as well as I can. I place the tip of the right needle under the first loop of the left needle. Fine. I keep the yarn taut as I can and pull it counter-clockwise between the two needles (left needle on top of right needle) but then that's when things get weird. Which loop am I supposed to pull the right needle through? The one that it looks like on the videos doesn't look like the one I have in hand.”
She's apparently tried following several different videos online, including ones at knittinghelp.com and from YouTube, but is hitting some sort of knitting block -- and we don't know any knitters that can provide in-person pointers or help.
Help for this specific question is welcome; also, what knitting resources would you recommend for somebody learning to knit with no in-person people to fall back on for instruction? Web sites are good, recommended books could also be useful.
Best answer: Ok, I assume she can cast ON easily, as that is starting the knitting, and casting off is finishing it?
Hold the left needle so that it's more or less pointing up and the right. Put the right needle through the top loop from the bottom, and behind the left needle, and leave it there, with that loop around both needles. Wrap the yarn behind and around the right needle (from r to l, I guess counter-clockwise between the 2 needles describes this also). Now put the tip of the right needle through the top loop of the left needle again, from top to bottom this time, but this time pull the loop off the left needle so it's only on the right needle.
Repeat.
posted by brainmouse at 11:58 AM on February 22, 2010
Hold the left needle so that it's more or less pointing up and the right. Put the right needle through the top loop from the bottom, and behind the left needle, and leave it there, with that loop around both needles. Wrap the yarn behind and around the right needle (from r to l, I guess counter-clockwise between the 2 needles describes this also). Now put the tip of the right needle through the top loop of the left needle again, from top to bottom this time, but this time pull the loop off the left needle so it's only on the right needle.
Repeat.
posted by brainmouse at 11:58 AM on February 22, 2010
This isn't terribly helpful, but I have exactly the same problem, and perhaps the knowledge that she isn't the only one out there with this block will make her feel a bit better.
posted by Zophi at 12:00 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by Zophi at 12:00 PM on February 22, 2010
Oh, and for the record, everything beyond the knit stitch, which I learned from someone who knew how to knit, I learned by attempting to follow a pattern, and when I got to an abbreviation I didn't know, googling for videos -- knittinghelp.com, which I see she uses, is my favorite. I also have the Knitting for Dummies book which is occasionally helpful.
posted by brainmouse at 12:01 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by brainmouse at 12:01 PM on February 22, 2010
Does your wife know what type of cast-on she is using? The different cast-on methods give you different looking first rows. If she knows which method she is using, I'm sure I can find a video that shows her exactly what to do. I knit with a long-tail cast-on, but I also knit continental style (as opposed to English).
As for resources, I learned from a friend who taught herself with this book. I'm also a big fan of knitty, which has free patterns that don't all look like terrible Christmas gifts.
Another great resource is ravelry, which is a knitting/crocheting social networking site that has great pattern searching and can be a great way for your wife to find a nearby knitting group to get help from someone in person.
posted by joan cusack the second at 12:04 PM on February 22, 2010 [2 favorites]
As for resources, I learned from a friend who taught herself with this book. I'm also a big fan of knitty, which has free patterns that don't all look like terrible Christmas gifts.
Another great resource is ravelry, which is a knitting/crocheting social networking site that has great pattern searching and can be a great way for your wife to find a nearby knitting group to get help from someone in person.
posted by joan cusack the second at 12:04 PM on February 22, 2010 [2 favorites]
I Can't Believe I'm Knitting is my go-to book whenever I need a stitch or technique clarified. It has some really great illustrations. I think I picked it up at Wal-Mart and I know I've seen it at Michael's and some other craft stores. It's a pretty ubiquitous book.
posted by geekchic at 12:13 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by geekchic at 12:13 PM on February 22, 2010
Do you have a yarn store nearby? As in a small, independently-owned, focused-on-knitting yarn store, not a large craft store that sells a little bit of every type of craft supply. Most local yarn store owners/staffers are experienced knitters, and many are willing to answer questions. Some offer lessons, and some will just sit down with you for free if you have a quick question. It's probably way easier to figure out what's going on in person than through text/pictures/video, so I'd recommend going that route.
posted by Metroid Baby at 12:24 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by Metroid Baby at 12:24 PM on February 22, 2010
Best answer: When you wrap the yarn around your right-hand needle, you're creating a loop that you pull through the loop that was wrapped around your left-hand needle when you cast on.. When you finish the stitch, the originally cast on loop will be around the bottom of the new loop that you created on the right needle. Here are some pretty good pictures that might help. Here is another tutorial that might be easier to follow.
You might try browsing through a book or two. I taught myself from Stitch N Bitch, which does a pretty good job of giving you simple patterns and building on them, although some of the basic instructions did confuse me a bit.
As for online sources, ravelry is the absolute best thing out there. The forum is a great place to get your questions answered, and the pattern browser will give you access to gazillions of free patterns which you can filter for difficulty level, project type, yarn type and a number of other particulars. Knitty can be great inspiration and they have some amazing patterns there - but they are not for beginners.
There also might be more in-person help available than you think. If you have a local yarn store, you've got in-person help available. If you have a local crafting/sewing/hobby chain store that sells yarn, there's a good chance that they have knitting instructors there or can refer you to some. And if you've got local bookstores, libraries, or coffee shops, there's a good chance that there's a knitting group that meets there.
posted by Dojie at 12:29 PM on February 22, 2010
You might try browsing through a book or two. I taught myself from Stitch N Bitch, which does a pretty good job of giving you simple patterns and building on them, although some of the basic instructions did confuse me a bit.
As for online sources, ravelry is the absolute best thing out there. The forum is a great place to get your questions answered, and the pattern browser will give you access to gazillions of free patterns which you can filter for difficulty level, project type, yarn type and a number of other particulars. Knitty can be great inspiration and they have some amazing patterns there - but they are not for beginners.
There also might be more in-person help available than you think. If you have a local yarn store, you've got in-person help available. If you have a local crafting/sewing/hobby chain store that sells yarn, there's a good chance that they have knitting instructors there or can refer you to some. And if you've got local bookstores, libraries, or coffee shops, there's a good chance that there's a knitting group that meets there.
posted by Dojie at 12:29 PM on February 22, 2010
Response by poster: Quick follow-up:
“I am knitting English style and am interested in just doing a knit stitch for the time being. If I can master this, then I'll move onto purl stitching.”
No dedicated yarn stores nearby, sadly; the only sources of yarn here are (I'm told) Zellers, Wal-Mart, and Rossy (a Quebec chain department store).
posted by Shepherd at 12:30 PM on February 22, 2010
“I am knitting English style and am interested in just doing a knit stitch for the time being. If I can master this, then I'll move onto purl stitching.”
No dedicated yarn stores nearby, sadly; the only sources of yarn here are (I'm told) Zellers, Wal-Mart, and Rossy (a Quebec chain department store).
posted by Shepherd at 12:30 PM on February 22, 2010
Best answer: For what it's worth, I thought I had the same problem when I started knitting. I could cast on just fine, but then once I tried to actually knit, everything looked terribly wrong and nothing like the book. I spent days trying to figure out what I was doing wrong before I decided to just keep going with my wrong knitting and see what happened, and it turned out not to be wrong at all.
It turns out the first row just looks kind of weird and the space between stitches is so large you swear you must be doing something wrong. Then you get to the second row and everything's fine! Looks just like the book! So at least try just forging through to the second row before you assume you're doing something wrong.
posted by adiabat at 12:39 PM on February 22, 2010
It turns out the first row just looks kind of weird and the space between stitches is so large you swear you must be doing something wrong. Then you get to the second row and everything's fine! Looks just like the book! So at least try just forging through to the second row before you assume you're doing something wrong.
posted by adiabat at 12:39 PM on February 22, 2010
Did you mean to say that she can cast on (put the first row of stitches on the needle) easily, then has trouble knitting the first stitch? As written, your question doesn't make much sense to me - casting off is what you do to finish a knitted project, so if she's having trouble with the first stitch, she wouldn't be there yet.
As to her question, the right needle tip is already inserted through a loop of yarn that is around the left needle. By pulling the right needle towards you, you pull the loop on the right needle through the loop on the left needle. Then, you slide the loop on the left needle off the left needle, leaving a loop on the right needle only. Then, you move on to the next stitch.
posted by insectosaurus at 12:42 PM on February 22, 2010
As to her question, the right needle tip is already inserted through a loop of yarn that is around the left needle. By pulling the right needle towards you, you pull the loop on the right needle through the loop on the left needle. Then, you slide the loop on the left needle off the left needle, leaving a loop on the right needle only. Then, you move on to the next stitch.
posted by insectosaurus at 12:42 PM on February 22, 2010
These videos show English knitting after the cast-on row: 1, 2, 3 (around 0:48 for this one, and despite the title, she starts the row in English style).
posted by joan cusack the second at 12:51 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by joan cusack the second at 12:51 PM on February 22, 2010
Response by poster: Minor update: yes, she meant "casting on," not "casting off."
posted by Shepherd at 1:15 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by Shepherd at 1:15 PM on February 22, 2010
Do these pictures help?
Techknitting is a great resource, and I love the way she illustrates the stitches, which seem really clear at least to this experienced knitter.
posted by muddgirl at 1:30 PM on February 22, 2010
Techknitting is a great resource, and I love the way she illustrates the stitches, which seem really clear at least to this experienced knitter.
posted by muddgirl at 1:30 PM on February 22, 2010
When I was starting out I found these videos amazingly helpful-- really slow, really clear: http://www.knittinghelp.com/ Demos engilsh and continental methods.
posted by Erasmouse at 2:07 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by Erasmouse at 2:07 PM on February 22, 2010
Best answer: You might try to relax some of the tension on the yarn as you make your stitch. Keeping the yarn "as taut as you can" makes it difficult to pull the loop through. Too much tension can also make it difficult to see what is happening with the yarn as you make the stitch. I agree with the suggestion that the first row can look weird. Once you are a few rows in it will start to look more like the pictures/videos.
You may also find knitting help within your circle of friends and acquaintances if you ask around. Only after I picked up knitting again after a very long hiatus did I learn that several of the people I had worked with for years were accomplished knitters. They turned out to be a great resource, always happy to answer a question or demonstrate a technique that had me puzzled.
Knitting is hard at first, but if you keep at it and try not to get discouraged you'll find it well worth the effort.
posted by zoel at 3:24 PM on February 22, 2010
You may also find knitting help within your circle of friends and acquaintances if you ask around. Only after I picked up knitting again after a very long hiatus did I learn that several of the people I had worked with for years were accomplished knitters. They turned out to be a great resource, always happy to answer a question or demonstrate a technique that had me puzzled.
Knitting is hard at first, but if you keep at it and try not to get discouraged you'll find it well worth the effort.
posted by zoel at 3:24 PM on February 22, 2010
Best answer: Firefox + Download Helper extension, download the videos from KnittingHelp.com.
Get VLC media player or another FLV player that can speed up/slow down video.
Then watch them in slow motion. They become *so* much more helpful that way.
Since she hasn't gotten so far as even perfecting the knit stitch yet, I would suggest trying to learn continental instead. Continental involves keeping your hands on the needles, you don't have to pick up the yarn, so it's easier to keep track of what's going where, and in the long run it's much less effort to knit. I'm the only one in my family to knit continental, and I'm constantly amazed how much harder the English-style knitters in my family have to work for it!
posted by gracedissolved at 4:10 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Get VLC media player or another FLV player that can speed up/slow down video.
Then watch them in slow motion. They become *so* much more helpful that way.
Since she hasn't gotten so far as even perfecting the knit stitch yet, I would suggest trying to learn continental instead. Continental involves keeping your hands on the needles, you don't have to pick up the yarn, so it's easier to keep track of what's going where, and in the long run it's much less effort to knit. I'm the only one in my family to knit continental, and I'm constantly amazed how much harder the English-style knitters in my family have to work for it!
posted by gracedissolved at 4:10 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
New-ish knitter here...I have to agree with gracedissolved. Someone (I don't remember who, tried to teach me how to knit english-style 30+ years ago. They dismissed my inability to knit in this style as yet more evidence that left handed people are simply incapable of knitting. When I started up again last November, I did a little research, followed the knittinghelp.com videos for the continental style and was up and running within a week.
The other thing: the first cast-on I learned was the backward loop cast-on. Despite being simple to do, I rarely use it these days because I found it so difficult to knit from - it gets that long tail between the left and right needle that always gets tangled, and I could never knit the last loop on the left needle. I now use the long tail cast on (the first video at the top of the page). It's much harder to get the hang of, compared to the backward loop cast on, but it's much easier to knit from. You don't get the long tangled tail of yarn between the needles, and as long as you cast on fairly loosely the first row of stitches are pretty easy to pick up.
posted by echolalia67 at 10:14 PM on February 25, 2010
The other thing: the first cast-on I learned was the backward loop cast-on. Despite being simple to do, I rarely use it these days because I found it so difficult to knit from - it gets that long tail between the left and right needle that always gets tangled, and I could never knit the last loop on the left needle. I now use the long tail cast on (the first video at the top of the page). It's much harder to get the hang of, compared to the backward loop cast on, but it's much easier to knit from. You don't get the long tangled tail of yarn between the needles, and as long as you cast on fairly loosely the first row of stitches are pretty easy to pick up.
posted by echolalia67 at 10:14 PM on February 25, 2010
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posted by Narrative Priorities at 11:57 AM on February 22, 2010