I have been knitting for a few years now, but I only know how to make a simple knit scarf. I dont know how to Purl, read a pattern, or do anything. I want to get better. I want to know how to use(and know what the) needles with the clear tube connecting is. I am just so lost, is there anyone that can help me??
Make use of the videos here (look up and see the Free Videos tab). Amy shows the different knitting styles and the way to do different things. There is a tab called Glossary. This is the most helpful tool I’ve found for reading patterns. (Plus the whole patterns and How-To forums are packed full of information)
I’d say watch the videos, practice on some cheap yarn, then pick a project you really would like to try and start knitting it. Come here when you reach a point where you are either scratching your head or just plain old stumped.
I would also advise keeping it simple to start out with as you learn the foundations of knitting so that you don’t get too frustrated and quit. Let’s face it, it’s so easy even I can do it
The long needle is called a circular needle, you can knit flat with it, just like with straight needles. It’s good to knit tubes in the round like hats or mitts or sweaters, and generally you would use one slightly smaller than your item, or you need to use the magic loop technique. Knitting in the round is shown on the Advanced Techniques page.
You can use the purl video to learn how to do that, just be aware that if you purl every row, you get garter stitch the same as if you knit every row. To get stockinette stitch, what most people think of as a knit fabric, you have to knit one row, purl one row and alternate them. You can practice that, along with the Increases and Decreases.
Get some inexpensive yarn if you don’t have any leftovers and just practice. Cast on about 24 stitches, do a couple knit rows, then alternate with the purl rows. Do decreases then increases. Practice ribbing which is combining knits and purls on the same row - k3, p3 or k2, p2, or even k3, p1. Just play around with the yarn and needles and see what you can get them to do.