I Just Started Knitting, Now What?!
Photo by Kristin Clark
We’ve ALL been there. All it takes is one appropriate Instagram post and bam, you’re ordering yarn you’ve never even felt before just to get your hands on something. Then all the supplies arrive and you think “Oh fuck, what do I do now?”
I’ve often found that there’s a point in starting a new skill or craft where you truly just feel like quitting. Improvements aren’t fast enough and it just doesn’t seem worth it. That’s where I come in! I’m here to give you a couple tips on starting out with knitting, in the hopes that you too will become addicted to this incredible form of therapy.
Don’t expect a masterpiece on Day 1.
This is a tough one to wrap my brain around, being very extremely Type A. That said, it’s important to note that you will probably not like the first couple projects you complete and there will be some noticeable mistakes in your work. This is all normal and part of the process! The most important thing you’ll learn with those first few projects is the muscle memory required to get the hang of knitting.
Garter Stitch is your friend.
A lot of folks tell me that they tried complicated techniques too soon, and lost interest. There is NO shame in just knitting every single stitch for a while to get your confidence up and master the muscle memory that knitting requires. This process of knitting every stitch is called Garter Stitch, and it creates a lovely texture of knitting that lots of folks love. With just learning garter stitch, you can make so many projects that look amazing. We’re talking scarves, blankets, and even sweaters! Get used to holding your needles and practicing the knit stitch until you’re confident, then try harder techniques.
Start thinking about gauge.
Gauge (pronounced like 12 Gage shotgun, says the Southern lady) is the tightness or looseness of a knitted texture. When looking at a pattern, it will tell you how many stitches across and how many rows will create a 4” by 4” square (or a 10cm by 10cm square). The idea is to knit a section before starting your project to make sure that you knit with a similar tension as the pattern maker. That said, don’t let gauge get you down just yet! Just focus on noticing the way the texture of your work changes when using larger or smaller needles, and larger or smaller yarn. A super thin yarn requires small needles, just as knitting with large bulky yarn requires large needles. Explore for yourself and find which combinations create a texture that makes you happy.
Have fun with it.
Knitting is supposed to be fun, people! Lean into what excites you about the process, not so much about producing flawless garments. Love colors? Change yarn every row and see what happens. So you’re a texture freak? Buy and test out yarns made with different materials for a fun challenge. Experimenting with what interests you will keep you inspired to get better each day.
The internet is your friend.
Once you’re feeling confident knitting every stitch and you have that muscle memory down, it’s time to learn more. Thankfully, we live in the age of YouTube University. There are SO MANY knitting resources available online, from stitch tutorials to free patterns designed for beginners. Dip your toe in by selecting a pattern that excites you (most patterns will describe the skills you need to complete the piece). Any techniques that you don’t know yet, you can easily learn online. Having that knowledge of knitting and holding your work is your foundation for learning new knitting skills. Be patient with yourself and keep on going.
