I just starting knitting last week. The closest class is an hour away so I’m relying on internet to help me learn. I’ve learned knit and purl but it seems like everything justjumps from learning those to nothing in between beginner and intermediate stuff. I have no idea what I should do now! What are your suggestions? My husband is itching for a big comfy blanket hahaha!! So I gotta get with it thanks for any help also what books can you recommend because I have limited data package online 
Congratulations on learning to knit and welcome to the wonderful wacky world of knitting. What are you interested in? Some people start with a scarf in garter stitch which is knitting every row. Some people will do stockinette, alternating knit and purl rows, but that curls so if you make something in stockinette you’ll want to be aware. Dishcloths are a hot topic here these days and they’re small and fairly quick to finish and can give you opportunity to try some different stitch combinations. The only way to learn to knit is to knit and the only way to learn to knit better is to knit some more so pick something and jump in. You can ask any questions you have here too.
If you can knit and purl, everything else is a combination of those. Even the scary-sounding increases and decreases are knitting two stitches together or knitting two in one (or doing a yarn over to add one, which is no big deal either.) You’ve got it, honest. Now all you need to do is wrap your mind around the way patterns are written and/or charted. Everybody here will help you, we have tons of videos (I used to go to the library and watch before our broadband provider started the late night free zone) and you never have to feel silly about a mistake because it’s highly unlikely you’ll make one that I, or somebody else here, hasn’t.
Dishcloths are nice. Fifteen dishcloths knitted in the comfy yarn of your choice and sewn together equal an afghan:) I
’d pick your favorite color or something you use around the house a lot and get a light, a medium and a dark shade of it, in a smooth solid yarn that isn’t too thin (wait a while before you tackle variegated or fuzzy yarn, because at this point you probably need to see your stitches clearly.) The squares can be as simple or as complicated as you want–there are thousands of free patterns around for them, and they’re good portable projects. Just pick patterns meant to come out about the same size, and you’ll have an afghan before it gets chilly!
I am confused about reading the patterns and what all the abbreviations mean. And as far as sewing the squares together is that actual hand sewing as in single needle and thread? I feel dumb for asking lol I’m still just trying to wrap my head around all the lingo! 
There’s no need to feel silly, in a way you’re setting out to learn a new language peculiar to knitting. Check the Glossary button at the top for help with abbreviations, what they mean and how to do it, and always, always feel free to ask questions here. Sewing things together is usually done with a large needle, commonly called a tapestry or yarn needle, and yarn. There are different ways to stitch things together, but you don’t really need to worry about that just yet.
Hi Sally, and welcome! There are no dumb questions here and everyone is willing to help! I taught myself to knit in June, and I still look up some of the abbreviations and and ask lots of questions. I made a lot of dish clothes!! I just finished my first project other than a dishcloth, it’s a baby blanket. I practice a lot. Good luck!
The abbreviations won’t bother you for long. It’s all just shorthand for knit this many, purl this many, and occasionally do something else that sounds weird but won’t be after you try it. If you like, you can look up the abbreviations on your patterns before you start and write them out so you’ll be confident. We’ve all been where you are, and even now, some pattern designers aren’t too clear about what they take for granted…and then there are typos. Hoo boy, re there typos! When you get stuck or even just concerned, we’ll all help.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn to recognize what a knit stitch looks like and what a purl looks like. Also, realize that the back of a knit is a purl and the back of a purl is a knit. You’re still just pulling one loop of yarn through another.
How you join projects that are made in pieces can be a whole subject in itself, but usually it’s best to use yarn instead of thread. In case you’re wondering…yes, I did that once too. 
At least that was easy to fix when the knitted afghan pieces stretched and popped the thread. Hey, the pattern just said “sew together” and didn’t say how!
Thanks. I am trying a sample piece rib knit. Lol don’t take Benadryl and try to knit! I destroyed a couple rows last night! Is it a must to get the string wrapped around your finger right away or does it matter? Yesterday I was trying to figure out the best way for me and one row ended up so tight I could barely knit the next row.
We all hold the yarn a little differently. I don’t wrap it at all–the pressure of my fingers and the drag of the yarn help keep tension. Honest, there’s no wrong way to do it if it looks right when it’s done and your hands don’t hurt.
Benadryl and knitting don’t go together well. Nor does wine and knitting.
Becky has it spot on, wrap the yarn as you need to around your finger. I don’t wrap the yarn. I weave it over my middle finger, but under my other fingers, like an upside down U. It takes a little while to figure out the way of wrapping that works best for you.
Welcome and have fun learning to knit!
Hi Sally, and welcome! I don’t know much about knitting, but you can find useful tips and receive helps in this forum, have fun here!
I am wanting to try a blanket the size is 42 x 42 how can I make it bigger from the pattern?
Hi sally20!!!
I’m so glad you’ve decided to dive in to the wonderful world of knitting! What I’ve found extremely helpful is books on knitting that are written for children. I figure that if they’re written simply enough for kids, then even I should be able to understand them!!!
Check out your local library and see what books they have for kids! My personal favorite is “Knitting: Learn to Knit Six Great Projects” from Klutz Publishers. Their explanations are super simple.
knitcindy
What pattern are you using? Can you link to it? Or give us its name and where it’s from? Sometimes making something larger just means larger needles and heavier weight yarn, sometimes you can just cast on however many stitches you want to make it larger, sometimes you have to figure pattern repeats.
I don’t have a link I saw it in a book. Ill probably wait to try it I was just wondering because it seems like so many blankets are that annoying size that if you pull it up to your chin your feet stick out and if you cover your feet your arms are cold…so I like throws to be a little bigger lol was just wanting to find it out but haven’t see. Anything much about it yet in terms I could get.
I am trying to figure out how to check my gauge on a pattern. I haven’t got it in my head yet how to do this at all so here’s what the pattern says: 8 sts = 4 in. [10 cm] over St st (k on RS, p on WS) I’m using super bulky with 13/9mm what the pattern calls for. How do I check my gauge. The book I’ve got breaks it down great if you already know what it’s talking about lol
I looked for Amy’s gauge video but can’t find it. Here’s another. Knitting Gauge
Welcome to the world of the gauge swatch! Cast on about 30 stitches and knit about 4", then measure your stitches as the video GG linked to shows.
For the record, I consider gauge swatches a necessary evil. :mrgreen: I hate it if I skip doing it and find out my gauge is off, though, so I do them.
Be aware that your gauge at the start of a project may not be the same as it will be halfway into it or maybe less. You might start knitting looser or tighter. I find I tend to knit looser as I go along. As always YMMV.
I have been working on a cable knit throw. I am on the first section and the side are rolling in, will it flatten out right after I’m finished and have sewn the pieces together?