my tip is to have two projects: one that's a little more complicated and one that you don't have to pay as much attention too. When I first started I always had a plain hat that I could go back to if I was starting to feel frustrated with my adventurous project.
This has been helpful to me too! I've been working on a big ol blanket and sometimes I just need to take a break from it, so I keep a WIP hat off to the side
Prior to the plague I taught local 4H kids knitting. I often used rhymes and funny phrases to help them remember the steps. the most popular being: Stab the pirate, Strangle the pirate, Pull him through And off the plank!
I almost always have a large project and a small project. An afghan and a scarf of also i do a baby sweater. I have made baby sweaters for everyone in our loop. They are always a little shocked .thay some one they barely speak to would go to all the trouble to make a them a gift. But I absolutely love doing it. I am retired and love to knit one of my great grandaughters was having morning sickness so bad and i had made a feather and fan baby blanket in pink and she was having a girl so i mailed it to her. She was so happy she hung it is on the wall so she could just look at it . It didnt stop her morning sickness but she sure enjoyed looking at the beautiful colors in the blanket. I was happy to know i blessed someone. So do what pleases you. I always try to make a blanket and a matching sweater on hand so when i hear of someone having a baby i can maybe please them and make them feel better for a little while. And bring them a little happiness and let them know someone loves them. I do what i can to bring joy to someone.
I started learning how to knit by making dishcloths/washcloths. There are tons of free patterns and they allow you to work on different designs. They also don't take that long so you feel accomplishment and if it's hard you can move on or scrap it without losing much. Cotton yarn is also incredibly cheap.
My biggest piece of advice is this: if you can knit even a basic scarf with no mistakes in your finished garment, you’re ready to knit a basic sweater pattern. I know it sounds impossible, but it’s true. You can do it, and it’s more fun and easy than you’d think.
hiii, i started to knit 3 days ago, i really really want to do clothes with knitting ( iam a crocheter ) your comment is very helpfull for me bc i was sad bc knitting is quit hard for me now but like you said, i can make it !!! ❤
As a beginner knitter I used bulky to super bulky acrylic yarn for awhile. Sometime I use needles that are bigger than recommended so I can truly analyze my stitches before jumping into a pattern.
You have made knitting fun for me! I accidentally bought a knitted pattern for a shawl (lifetime crocheter, never knitted before in my life) and I knew it was time to learn. I was so frustrated & clumsy until I found your channel. I’ve made 4 or 5 of your beanies now and am loving every minute I can spend knitting 💜🧶🌈
Love all the tips! I would love to see a video on how to fix common knitting mistakes. I liked how you showed how to fix an unintentional yarn over. I’ve given up on knitting projects because I didn’t know how to fix my mistakes. Thanks!
I was taught the basics by my grandma. All the things she tried to explaining to me were confusing until now. 35 years later I am finally excited about knitting. My grandma has to be doing dancing in heaven now. Keep up all the videos, you do an amazing job.
Something that I really appreciated/ still appreciate when I first started knitting was a book I got called “the knitting bible” it has a lot of patterns and tips. It gives you a lot of ideas to play around with. It’s also great once you get into hats and scarves and you want to do a fun pattern design.
Loving your videos, you've become my guiding light as a new knitter. I had a bit of stick for knitting as a young male, but after a bit of convincing, and help, from your vids, I've got some of my friends knitting too. Much love and keep it up!
I'm a tight knitter too and I was going to buy some wood needles, but I guess you're right, they probably will make everything harder! I'm using plastic and metal ones and the aluminium ones are great, although kind of expensive.
As a new knitter, I was hoping someone might advise this. Bamboo is driving me nuts, and I feel a natural affinity towards the cool metal. (warm hands) This was some great advice in this video though. I look forward to watching more videos.
I'm an intermediate knitter, but was interested in your video because I help people learn to knit at our church where we knit hats and scarves for people in our neighborhood who need them. I want to compliment you on your choice of tips for new knitters. You were spot on. I am thinking about sharing this video with some of the newest knitters in my group. Thank you and well done!
I loved the tip about joining new yarn. I'm a fairly experienced knitter, but I've never seen that before and it's so much neater than the way I've been doing it for years. Thanks!
Just another fan wanting to thank you for all your videos, which have not only helped me with my knitting projects, but inspired me to take on new ones! Another male knitter here. I started after a trip to Guatemala where in some Indian communities, only the men knit (while shepherding in the mountains). A big hug from Denmark!
i'm not considered beginner anymore even though i only started knitting back in march this year. i really enjoy your videos! i learned so much from your videos this year. YES to the advice for don't splurge yet. my first colorwork pullover sweater i attempted was using nicer yarn (hand dyed yarn from Etsy) and although it's finished, the colors bled during the blocking and it doesn't fit right because of tight tension so i really should frog and knit it again... i'm too sad to do that yet. my advice is don't be too stubborn or prideful to NOT FROG when you need to! aggressive blocking doesn't fix everything. just frog and start over when you can... i love my chiaogoo interchangeable needles- i wish i got them sooner. i have a lot of fixed circulars as well.
I wish I had found you when I first started knitting years ago! I felt really discouraged as a beginner, so I would go through periods where I would knit, knit, knit, knit really complicated patterns and then I'd burn myself out and really dislike the craft. Burn out can be so easy in fiber crafts, so what I like to do now is find a pattern/project that I'm super excited for, but also have one to the side that may just be a garter stitch to keep my fingers moving without having to pay too much attention to the pattern. Also interchangeable needles completely changed my life!!
I learned how to knit about 15 years ago when my grandmother taught me from afar by sending me knitting videos like this one. I've recently picked it up again and needed some refreshers. Your videos are THE BEST. So informative, to the point, cleverly edited, and entertaining, but most importantly you don't waste our time! I really love them, and I have no doubt that my grandmother (God rest her soul) would have loved them too. Keep up the great work! P.S. I wish I had known your tip about starting a new ball of yarn....SO EASY!!
start with chunky yarn, because it's easier to see your work (and probably mistakes!), and moves at a much quicker pace so you get projects done quicker!
But make sure the yarn doesn’t have a pattern, I bought my first yarn and it has pretty shades of grey and orange but as a beginner it was so hard for me to see what I was knitting 😭😭
@@cat26woo53 I actually detest chunky yarn, so the biggest I'll ever use is worsted when i'm learning. I have small hands so big yarn and big needles is hard for me to work with. But the general principle remains, large enough that you can see what you're doing tends to be better.
Im a crocheter who recently taught myself to knit about 4-5 months ago. For those of you who are crocheters trying to teach urself to knit & having a bad time heres my tips, i hope they help! It also might be handy for any newbies who struggle with patience - like me 🤣 * Tension is different for crochet & knitting & crochet is usually tighter. You have to have ur tension a LOT looser than you think when knitting, otherwise you'll have issues knitting into sts & moving them about on ur needles. * Try interchangeable needles or short 25cm needles when starting. I found the longer needles were too long & awkward & just kinda got in my way. The shorter needles i find easier when im so used to a crochet hook! * Knit, knit, knit. I used a couple of different yarns in different sizes plus different needles to see what i preferred. Id knit a square in stocking stitch, pull it out & start again until my tension got sorted. It only took a few weeks. Persevere, it does get frustrating! * Play with different techniques from continental to english to throwing to picking. Heaps of different ways to hold ur yarn etc. I felt continental was best for me as a crocheter, it took about 3 weeks of awkwardness & i persevered & all of a sudden ur muscle memory will kick in - it takes a bit to change ur muscle memory from crochet! * Ur fave crochet hooks may not be best for knitting. In that i mean that I love aluminum hooks, like knitpro zings for example, so i bought knitpro zing needles - but theyre waaaay to slippery & i kept having sts fall off my needles or my needles falling out. So i tried a few diff needles & discovered that bamboo ones are way better. Clover make fab bamboo ones (theyre also fab for DPNs) & knitpro symphonies are really good too. * When using dpns in the round (i find it easier than magic loop) if you have issues with sts falling off or ur needles or falling out of the sts, put something on each end. I bought some wee needle/stitch holders from temu, theyre just a tiny wee rubber band thing (about 1cm/half inch long) with a wee metal round 'clamp' thingee in the middle. Theyre fab for holding ur sts/needles together when not knitting but great doubled over on each end of ur dpns to stop sts falling off! * If ur doing the long tail cast on, leave a few mm between each stitch (about the same width as one stitch) & dont pull each st super tight. The gap in between will stop ur cast on being too tight to knit into. * Try the crochet cast on. Theres one technique where you bring the yarn between the needle & hook & another where you bring the yarn around both needle & hook - i prefer the latter. * If ur going to go with interchangeable needles, pay a bit extra & get the 360 degree swivel cords, theyre way easier & help the cable to not get all twisted up on you! * Research before spending money on a set. I found that all knitpro needles and cables all fit each other, so i buy the symphonie/caspian (same needle different colours) needles but the lantern moon 360 degree swivel cords. Plus knitpro have heaps of different ranges of needles in different materials so you can use the same cables on all of them! I find the 80cm cable my go to length - plenty long enough to knit flat but not so long it gets in the way. * Play around, mix & match. I prefer the look of knit ribbing so will often make my crochet item, like a baby jersey/cardigan, pick up sts & knit the ribbing instead of crocheting it. * Use a lifeline!! This has saved me pulling out my knitting & starting again SO many times!! If ur making ur first baby jersey for example, put a lifeline in the last row of sts before you start any decreasing etc for the armholes, then if you make a mistake its easy to just pull back to that last row before you started decreasing. Its also handy if you need to knit a lot of rows - say you need to stocking stitch 60 rows, if you put a lifeline in at row 20, you can just count from there rather than the beginning!! If anyone finds these helpful & wants any links to the wee needle stoppers thingees i talked about or a link to the vid i found the best for crochet cast on, just lmk & ill reply 😁 hopefully ive been helpful & stopped you from stabbing urself with a needle out of frustration lol which i almost did many times!!
Thanks for those tips as well! I've been a self-taught crocheter since before RU-vid was ever a thing. I've been interested in learning how to knit, but in all honesty, been to afraid until now to try lol. It's quite different but I'm just starting so I'll get better soon (I hope). I'm also left handed so there is that too. I think I'm gonna try knitting right handed and just keep with it. It'll come eventually and then I won't have to do any mental exercises to switch things around like I have to do when crocheting.
@@carlamorin493 you can do it! If I can do it anyone can - I'm not the most patient or coordinated lol but I persevered (got very very frustrated) & once my muscle memory kicked in I was good to go!!
@@carlamorin493I’m left handed too & learned to knit left handed many, many years ago. I was young & didn’t stick with it so pretty much lost the skill. Fast forward a few decades later & I took an in person knitting class. They suggested I learn to right hand knitting so I could later knit anything. It was so incredibly awkward at 1st but I finally caught on! So glad I did as you know, most tutorials are right handed techniques.
Thanks for talking about yarn overs; they took me ages to work out! Thankfully I got lots of yarn to practice with from charity shops and from friends.
THANK YOU!!! HOW DID I NOT FIND THIS CHANNEL BEFORE I STARTED KNITTING AT AGE 8??? LIKE IM 20 NOW AND OH MY GOSH YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF KNITTING WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE???
Could you do a tutorial on different kinds of stitching patterns? I'm mostly confused on the bee stitch and jacquard stitch. Love your videos I'm learning how to knit during quarantine and you explain things very clearly and your video visuals are a lot easier to understand than other youtube videos are!
I've joined a group to learn to knit an Icelandic sweater (using real Icelandic wool which is not stressful at all 🙃🙃🙃) and with Covid-19 it's been difficult to actually master the basics and get started on a sleeve without having ready access to a teacher (messenger helps but it's just not the same). Your videos have helped me out a lot, especially with learning how to handle double pointed needles and how to join the ends better. It's still a learn-as-you-go thing, but having your videos to fall back on has been a HUGE help!
I was taught to knit by my grandmother back in the 1960’s when I was about 7 years old (crochet, embroidery and sewing, too). She was a great, patient teacher and let me learn from my mistakes. I feel like there are so many resources available now that weren’t so easily accessible in the past. And all the tools and accessories!!! Your video gives some great advice ~ happy stitching! 🧶
I was taught to knit by a kind family friend who we called “auntie”. She was also a great teacher. It’s amazing how this craft gets taught to us by the women in our lives. I’m so grateful to my auntie for teaching me how to knit ♥️ anyway thanks for watching and happy knitting!
I am a new knitter, but I am a veteran when it comes to crochet. I have had so much trouble finding the specifics on knitting and why you have to do things a certain way and you summed it up so nicely, thank you! Your an amazing teacher!
i think that it is hilareous that so much of the knitting communtity loves circular needles (i crochet) my grandma on teh otehr hand HATES THEM and gives them all to my mom who also knits so know we haev mroe circular needles then neccasy
When I first started knitting, I believe my issue was knitting into the cuff. I would start with 15 stitches and end up with 20. LOL. I, too, have missed you!
Bamboo is great for new knitters IF you aren't a tight knitter IMO. I've crocheted for years and have always been tight, same thing happens when I knit. The metal lace tip needles really saved me from headache. I am now knitting faster and really enjoying it.
Wow, these knitting tips are just what I needed! As a newbie, I appreciate the simplicity and practicality of your advice. Can't wait to start knitting like a pro! 💪😊
I learned all the basics by watching this channel earlier this year. Once I had the basics down, I started my first ambitious project (in July) and made a mermaid snuggle sack. I’m now starting on a second one for my second granddaughter for Christmas! I have learned so much by challenging myself, including interchangeable round needles. I absolutely love mine and will take your advice about using them for flat projects! I’m addicted to knitting and yarn now. Thanks for sharing your skills and teaching abilities.
Thank you for showing with the yarn over looks like. When I encounter that I can’t figure out what’s going wrong if I missing a stitch or something and you’re the only one that is answer that question. Thank you for all your videos. I also bought a hat pattern from you so thanks for that.
I’m 60 years young and I’ve knitted since I was 11 years old I’ve know just started to make a pair of socks and just found out about little interchangeable meddles as arthritis has got worst im so looking forward to my new relationship with these little beautiful needlesluv teresa
Boy I wish this video had been out when I first got started knitting cause I made the same mistakes especially the yarn over Davina! In fact, my first washcloth came out look like the letter Y! Serious! I kept wondering what did I do wrong?! I was knitting those yarn overs at the end of the row LOL! Anyways, a tip I guess would be not to give up! Many times I got so frustrated that I thought I'd never learn to knit but eventually your hands and fingers figure out what to do if that makes sense! And once I learned how to knit and purl, oh boy did I have fun making things! Love how you presented your tips!!!
You are SO clever. I knitted a huge Doctor Who scarf when I was young 100 stitches at the beginning, 134 at the end. Of course, part of that was my cat who chewed and sucked and even bit through the unfurling yarn (ick!) and also liked to bite the end of the needle and quickly drag it out of the knitting (most of the problems were picking up too many stitches), but yarn over is definitely a minor cause, thanks.
Davina, I have tried knitting on and off for more years than I care to say. First I am left handed, but was taught by my Mum who was right handed. But since this COVID-19, and the beginning of sweater weather, I decided to take up knitting again. I recently came across your videos and they are fantastic. You teach very well and make it look very simple and easy to do. I have been terrified to use circular needles, but you have show us how simple and easy to use they are. I love watching your videos, but I would really love to have a Knitting book written by you, showing everything you have done on your videos. Just in case, we lose WiFi or electricity, a book of knitting instructions by you would be marvellous especially as you explain everything so simply, with humour and understanding of those like me who have struggled and never felt confident knitting. How about a knitting book by Davina? X
Wish I found this video when I learned to knit 5 years ago. I do only have 1 pair of straight needles that I learned the basics from, then a month or two later did buy a set of interchangeables which I still have but got a better set just last week for my birthday. Anyway, best thing was buying a set of interchangeables as right from the start I did flat knitting on them. I love your videos. Thank you!
The tip on the needles was good saved me some cash for sure as I had to buy 2 needles anyways for a hat project and rather then buy just the 2 fixed needles figured the set of interchangeable would just make life easier in future
Bamboo needles were so good for me as a new knitter and they really do help with feeling like you can control the yarn. I still use wood needles as my primary needles just out of personal preference.
On the subject of interchangeable needles you might want to mention Do not leave your needle tips in work your setting aside. Place a needle tag on the cord, unscrew the tips and put end caps on. I have 4 sets of interchangeables because I have 14 hibernating projects with my needles still in them! Crazy I know, but I Joe's in full on when I was a new knitter. I knew knit & Purl, so I thought I could handle any pattern. I have a lot of beautiful and expensive yarn tied up in hibernating projects. I love your tips and you are fun to listen to.
I always love your videos, even though I’m not necessarily a new knitter anymore. Your advice for joining yarn will be my new go to I think! I usually only do one stitch with both yarns, but like how secure doing 4 is...so you can even teach an OG new tricks! 😁
thanks so much- I'm knitting after 35 years of no knitting (only lots of sewing!!)...and yes I do have some holes, now I know why!..I might undo all of it and start again.thanks for your lessons! Marietta, warm Brisbane
Tip 1 is great to know! Instinctively I learned to drop yarn overs but its always nice confirming why I end up with extra stitches. It really is important to count your stitches!
The only high quality yarn channels where I can see what’s going on. I hate when ppl get off track, talk in circles, go too fast, have bad lighting, this place is perfect
Your wood/bamboo advice was such a huge part of my success when I started knitting again. My sister loaned me her Knitter's Pride/Knit Pro Symfonie Woods because metal needles were too slick and I was losing stitches like crazy. After a year of continued knitting the hard woods aren't pointy enough and are too slow/grippy for me now but I look fondly at their beautiful colors. Investing in a good set of Chiaogoo interchangeables has been quite expensive but made knitting such a pleasure. A few fixed circulars in the beginning is about all one needs to get started. US size 6,8&10 were pretty useful as they have a lot of free, simple patterns available and aren't quite as difficult to knit with as using the tiny ones.
Thank you for the videos. I'm a new knitter, but an old crocheter. Already knew about interchangables because I enjoyed tunisian crochet and have several hooks and lines in different lengths. Will be getting a few needles to go with these. I'm also a weaver on a rigid heddle loom, so my yarn stash is rather extensive. Especially in fingering to aran weight yarns. Knitting is going to give me a new way of using up my stash (or adding more)
Oh…. I did not realize that those extra stitches got caused by yarn positioning. It’s not something I’ve really had to worry about with crochet, but it’s great to understand how to fix it now! Thanks 😊
I started fiber crafts with crochet, because ages (we shall not mention how long ago), my mom's best friend taught me the absolute basics. The pandemic spurred my interest in the craft after decades of idleness. However, now that I'm semi-proficient at crochet, I look at the patterns of things I want to make and nearly all of them are knit projects. So I'm glad I found your channel and look forward to trying some of these. I have a few basic straight knitting needles I'll play with the stitches - but yes, I was already searching interchangeables on the big A. Perhaps in the not too distant future, I will be adding those to my Tunisian crochet hooks. :D
I am so glad you are still making videos. Your tutorials have been so helpful and you have been my main source of easy to access info since I started knitting
Please remind new knitters to double check their needle size and the gauge of yarn that their pattern calls for. Forgetting to do so may result in wrongly sized projects despite following the pattern/stitch instructions. Using too small needless will make the knitting progress very slowly…too large a needle may cause the resulting project to have too loose of a weave. Wish I had this video to watch 10 years ago when I first started to knit…it would have saved me a lot of time and frustration. Keep sharing your tips and hacks.
You are such a great teacher 😊 You taught me how to knit one year ago... I am so grateful for your videos 🧶 Thank you for everything you do! One thing I have learned this year is to use lifelines! That was a hard lesson to learn 😂
So I started knitting 4 days ago, all from watching this channel, so thank you so much and in 2 minutes I learnt how to cast off. Now onto another mini project. Purl stitches!
I have been into crocheting for a long time and due to my grandma having COVID she pushed Christmas back to March and she thought I knitted not crochet so for Christmas she gave me a bunch of yarn and knitting needles so I just decided yesterday to start knitting I have wanted to for a while anyway so this has really helped I am currently practicing the back and forth between knit stich and purl stich this helped very much thank you
Oh my gosh!! Thank you so much the these tips are priceless gems. I so love ur videos. I m new to knitting and I did indeed have indeed had holes in my sweater yikes! Good bless you
Thanks a bunchhhh!! You're cut out to be a teacher, I feel like you have saved us several years of experimenting!! By any chance you are also a beauty blogger??
So EXCITED to see your new video!! You practically taught me how to knit through my phone and your videos are so cheerful and helpful as well! Thank you so much and I look forward to all of your videos in the future!
I just want to thank you so much for your awesome channel. My mum taught me knitting when I was a teen but I never really got into it - then this year in quarantine (here in Aus we are still locked down :( ) I have picked it back up - but my mum lives on the literal opposite side of the world. Your channel has been the greatest help in re-solidifying my foundation and building up my confidence and skills (I'd say I'm intermediate now!) and my mum is so proud of me; we feel bonded through knitting even though we're half a world apart and won't be able to visit for a long, long time.
You are just adorable! What a perfect personality for doing this (knitting videos). I will sign up for Ravelry right now and then look for more of your videos - thanks!! 💜💛💚
thank you! that first tip is great, I have done that a few times ... then when I got to it in the next row I didn't know what to do, easy when you know how!
