1.21.2009

WFMW: Knit/Crochet help

When I paid $15 for a beginner knitting class, I figured I would at least learn to cast on, knit, purl and cast off but no such luck. Then after the class she told me I was going to need four or more lessons to finish learning "just the basics." Well, I thought about how much yarn I could buy for $60 and decided I was going to try and see what I could get from a book.

Some things I got right away but there were those frustrating moments in between when I just couldn't figure out what they were trying to say. I needed to see the motion. I had been Googling stitches to read different explanations if I was stuck but once the little search box was set to YouTube not Google and I didn't notice.

It was perfect. There are a number of different videos of each stitch and you can watch them repeatedly until you figure it out. You can also see different ways of doing the same thing. Because I had already done crochet, I find continental-style knitting more natural but most of the written descriptions I found were for English style. It is hard enough trying to learn something new without having to adapt it at the same time so I love being able to view both methods. And it isn't just the basics; try searching for specialty stitches or different methods of casting on, there are so many things out there to learn from. While I already know the basics of crochet, there are lots of videos for that too. And at a cost of nothing, it beats expensive lessons any day and it definitely works for me.

7 comments :

  1. I've learned quite a few things off YouTube. My son uses it to learn difficult guitar riffs. It is a great resource.

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  2. You should check out knittinghelp.com She posts videos for continental and english knitting so you can watch both.

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  3. ...just what did they teach you in the class then if not the basics?

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  4. I learned to cast on and how to do the knit stitch. But without learning how to cast/bind off I couldn't even finish a square, let alone try to make any stitches that used purling. I have pretty much figured our purling although I'm not good at it. The project I am working on is just knitted all rows (called the garter stitch). Overall, knitting is pretty easy but the terminology makes it sound confusing.

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  5. Brilliant, I have been wanting to learn granny squares & can't find lessons in my neck of the woods. (And it is tough to learn this from a book.)

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  6. I like granny squares. I've never made any myself but I think they have a great vintage quality to them but if done in the right colors, can still look modern.

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  7. I would love for you to come knit/crochet with me sometime! I love having someone to talk with while I work. And I feel so productive getting something done while chatting.

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