Next Step for a Newbie?

[WhenImSixty4]

Hi! I’m a beginners knitter, and new to the boards! :waving:

I’m still working on a fairly basic level, so far all the patterns I’ve worked are mostly knit and purl stitches. And of course binding off so I guess that would be a slip stitch? What’s a good next step from there? Which stitches should I practice next?

Any pattern suggestions for me to try? I’ve only worked on straight needles so far but would be willing to try circulars if the pattern isn’t too difficult. Double pointed needles, however, leave me crouched in a corner… crying… :hiding:

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

[scmomof4]

I think it is important for you to find projects that interest you! Are you a poncho type gal? Are you a creature comforts gal who would enjoy some chenille washcloths? Do you like knitting for others? Are you someone who likes BIG projects or do you enjoy things on a small scale? Are you thrilled by the look of your knitting or the feel of great yarn?

I know that I would get frustrated when I first started when I would have to pull out rows after I had made a mistake. Some patterns (ones without yarn overs and cables) are easy to pull out and fix. My best early projects were interesting scarves and washcloths. I was able to practice new stitches and patterns on a small project.

[blueygh2]

Oh I would reccommend a scarf project. You can experiment a lot on a scarf.
I did a scarf and implemented all the new stitches that I learned, as I learned them.

You could try k2tog (and some increase to compensate for it).
So you could try lace, which, in the beginning can be a little frustrating, but addicting as well.

Hm, stitches,… yes, increases and decreases I would suggest. Take a look at the videos under “Increases” and “Decreases”.

With purl and knit stitch, and increases and decreases, you can do almost anything.

[suzeeq]

To to clarify, binding off isn’t a slip stitch, it’s a pass over stitch. So if you get to a pattern that says “slip 1, knit, pass slip st over” (usally abbreviated as sl 1, k1, psso or skp) you pass the slip stitch over the one you knit just like a bind off. And that’s a decrease, btw. But a slip stitch is just moving the stitch from one needle to the other.

Try anything you’d like to make, if it’s got a couple things in it you don’t know how to do, ask here and then you’ll learn how to do it. You can knit flat on circulars too.

[WhenImSixty4]

I think it is important for you to find projects that interest you! Are you a poncho type gal? Are you a creature comforts gal who would enjoy some chenille washcloths? Do you like knitting for others? Are you someone who likes BIG projects or do you enjoy things on a small scale? Are you thrilled by the look of your knitting or the feel of great yarn?

I know that I would get frustrated when I first started when I would have to pull out rows after I had made a mistake. Some patterns (ones without yarn overs and cables) are easy to pull out and fix. My best early projects were interesting scarves and washcloths. I was able to practice new stitches and patterns on a small project.

Ooh- washclothes… :yay: I’ve seen sites with some great washcloth patterns! Lovely idea, thank you!

blueygh2- I guess I hadn’t thought much beyond a basic scarf. I’ll do some research and see what interesting variations I can find that aren’t too difficult for a newbie like myself. And something I can practice those increase/decrease stitches on!

suzeeq- thanks for clearing things up! You see now how much I have to learn and I’ll need all the help I can get!

[BigSis2]

Sounds like you’re making great headway on knitting, congrats!

Got a good explanation on the slip stitch I see. I would seriously try some wristers.

They are short arm warmers, you get practice with knit and purl, and there are so many free patterns under armwarmers, wristers, fingerless gloves.

When I cast off, I use a larger needle than the pattern calls for so that I don’t finish the pattern too tight, I would also cast on with a larger needle to start if I still had the tendency to cast on too tight, but I’m more focused on that area now. You can actually make wristers in a knit 2 purl 2 pattern (ribbing) and stop whatever length looks good, make a seam and walla!!

I recently made some with Patons Classic Wool holding two yarns together using 10.5" needles. IMPORTANT. I always make my wristers on circular needles, knitting as if on straight needles, I do a row on each, each having it’s own yarn source, then they end up identical!!

Enjoy.

[patsuweb]

Hi! I’m a beginners knitter, and new to the boards! :waving:

I’m still working on a fairly basic level, so far all the patterns I’ve worked are mostly knit and purl stitches. And of course binding off so I guess that would be a slip stitch? What’s a good next step from there? Which stitches should I practice next?

Any pattern suggestions for me to try? I’ve only worked on straight needles so far but would be willing to try circulars if the pattern isn’t too difficult. Double pointed needles, however, leave me crouched in a corner… crying… :hiding:

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

I am fairly new to knitting also, so may I suggest these quick and easy tube socks which can be either seamed or done on circulars: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/quicksocks.html
I have learned how to do the Magic Loop on these socks, which stretch to fit almost any foot. I used the the Long Tail Cast On, which is nice & stretchy and easy to do also.