Your first knitting project is always a dishcloth. It doesn’t matter if it is square or looks cute. you are learning and dirty dishes don’t care if you threw in a few YO in there. You get the satisfaction of using what you made
I am a fellow “i have to be good at something on first try” person and I recently joined a pottery class. To deal with said character flaw I basically went into it with a mantra/intention that my goal was not to make something beautifully stunning but rather just get out of my head and if I achieved that then it was a successful class day. It has definitely helped me to enjoy the process of pottery and not be too precious with what I am making. ❤️
Hope this knitting cue helps you! “Stab it, strangle it, scoop out its guts, throw it off a clif” 😂 The hardest part is maintaining the same tension throughout, that gets better with practice. Seeing what you’re struggling with, definitely loosen up your tension. It being too loose is better than too tight. I have much better luck with crocheting over knitting, but I do like how knit looks and feels more.
I love knitting. It is one of my favorite things to do. I have been doing it for the past 14 years. I am even staying in Las Vegas for 6 weeks for work training for a job I recently got and I went and got knitting needles and yarn. I literally only make like hats and scarves and blankets. I am not trying to be amazing at it, it's literally for my mental health and just fun when I do finish a project and feel accomplished and I like having a skill that allows me to make gifts for people.
I was stuck at the airport for 12 hours straight and ended up spending the time rewatching your videos while crocheting a blanket and it was a 10/10 experience. It just reminded me all the more how much comfort and joy you and your channel brings me 🥰
i feel you struggling w/ knitting!! i started learning to crochet a few weeks ago n it was a bit rough but i did manage to actually get a decent bit of a little project done. but then my anger issues kicked in while being upset over something mostly unrelated and i impulsively ripped my work to shreds and cut it into tiny pieces :') i haven't crocheted since but maybe i'll try again tomorrow, you've inspired me.
Obsessed, you have such a wholesome and kindhearted vibe and it's just so lovely. If knitting doesn't end up being your thing, embroidery or cross stitching may be a little more enjoyable!
Welcome to knitting!!! I do a lot of audiobooks so I can craft and read at the same time. Right now, I'm re-listening to "La Belle Sauvage" by Phillip Pullman, narrated by Michael Sheen (GOATiest narrator imho). My biggest tip as a knitter/crocheter is to be patient with yourself (easier said than done, I know!). Also, give your hands a shake em off party every half hour or so! You and your hands are learning new motor skills- that is hard and deserves celebrating! 🥳
Crochet is so much easier on my hands personally because its just one hook. But also your tension might be too tight if knitting hurts. Also it is way easier to knit with bigger needles and thicker yarn if you're a beginner and it'll take less time to finish a project that way too!
your face making the knots and casting on, that was my face and still is my face everytime i do it and i have been knitting for years im so happy for you trying it out
knitting is one of my special interests so it's fun seeing you try it out😊I get your trouble with circular needles! I started off using only straight needles and I still prefer them after 3+ years of knitting
I’ve been teaching myself classical guitar for about 2 months. I’m still terrible but better than I was 2 months ago!! I also have “I have to be perfect at new hobby right away or I’ll spiral” syndrome but I’m learning to let that go and just practice haha. Good luck on your knitting journey ❤ 🐌
Oooh I feel you 😅 I used to knit faaar too tight too. Took me quite some time to realize that i don't have to pull the thread with so much force. Now it's almost an excersice to be more relaxed by keeping the stiches very loosely on the needle (probably a lot if people recommended that already :)
Ughhh how do we get RU-vid to monetize you? It’s so frustrating- you deserve it! I know… I just had to say it. I can’t thank you enough for what you do. I’m a fellow mushroom, cat, snail, book-loving expat and I really struggled in my new home country. Your videos got me through a lot and I will forever buy any article of clothing that you put a design on! Thank you for sharing your adventures and creative brain with us!
Incredible cinematography, incredible soundscape, jokes, book insights, fall and cozy vibeys. Such an impressive video ❤ also i lol’d at the way u kept changing into pants to leave the house and shorts for in the house. I’m gonna read Our Wives under the sea this week!!
Don’t give up on the knitting! I can see you making some hygge things in the future! A great beginner project is slippers! All you need to make is a square: I recommend getting chunky yarn and fatter needles to start with, but any yarn will work. Knit a square as long as your foot…. You can test its a square by folding a bottom corner diagonally across to a top corner. Once youve finished your square fold it in half and stitch together the ends (short sides) and then stitch half way down the long side. Turn inside out and wallah! Emblish with a pom pom or crochet flower! I promise its easier than my instructions. I’m sure there is a square slipper tutorial on youtube. But my best tip is chunky yarn and needles to help build muscle memory and see where we go wrong easily etc. 🧶 xx
Ally you need to try crochet!! Knitting has not worked with my brain but crochet has been much more forgiving during the learning period. Also I’ve binge watched a bunch of your videos today and I really really appreciate everything you’ve been sharing about ASD 😭 hearing you talk about it has made me feel so much less alone (currently going thru the diagnosis process) and it’s been really meaningful as a viewer!
I adore crocheting. I learned off of RU-vid and it took me several tries to get into, but once i got the first couple of stitches down, it is one of my favorite pastimes. Hope you get the hang of knitting, i never could! Note on the soft yarn, i go for the cheapest stuff first. Like the acrylic yarn. Just to practicemy stitches and it usually is stronger than the natural stuff for beginners. I use red heart yarn to practice! Edited for clarity.
Omg when I started crocheting I didn't know how much it would help with my perfeccionism. Truly a game changer, I see mistakes as part of the proces now and I do not feel frustrated anymore. I havent tried knitting yet but I think (and pls dont kill me in the comments) that crochet is more beginner friendly ❤❤
When I saw those circular needles I went 'nooooo use grandma needles' at the screen, and you listened! ❤ The circular needles have always felt way more difficult to me for some reason
Good luck on your knitting journey! I started in 2018 and I am only into my second scarf ever, I love it but I am very slow (which is nice honestly! I need more slow hobbies). It’s the perfect thing to keep your hands busy while you watch things 🧶
Hey Ally! I’m so glad you decided to try knitting. I was so frustrated with it at the beginning too, but now it has become a friend to me on bad brain fog days where all I can do is mechanically knit and listen to movie scores. Thank you so so much for your cozy vlogs. 🧶☺️
after a difficult week, this video was such a happy cozy way to change the vibe and make me feel like I can have a better november! thank you for sharing and making me NEED to read our wives under the sea NOW
You starting to knit reminded me of my first embroidery adventures. I had the wrong needles, the wrong yarn the wrong everything. I failed, I started from the beginning, I got new materials. I discovered the right materials, I watched tutorials and Skillshare classes and now, embroidery is one of my favorite hobbies right after reading :D so, keep going, you will get there !! (but please don't force yourself when it's painful, that's not worth it)
I love Mondays! Seeing you always makes me happy! I am also sick in bed and feel icky, but waking up on Halloween morning to hang out with Alli makes me happy. ❤
As someone who is neurodivergent and struggles with focus-based tasks, I found knitting to be really difficult. I have completely fallen in love with crochet and find it to be so much easier! One piece of yarn, can’t accidentally drop all of your stitches, and only one thing to hold!
I know this is a reading channel. And I am obsessed with your reading videos!!! But you have talked about your sims 4 a little bit… and I think you should make a video about it! I think I would be such a fun video to see what your sims is like!!!🥰
Omg Ally I also just picked up knitting this month. It was a pretty steep learning curve for me too. Trying to be graceful to myself while I keep f*cking my stitches up. Here's what I learned: Please mind your fingers and hands. I actually, in my enthusiasm, got some RSI and it keeps returning when I don't stretch my fingers/arms and take frequent breaks. Oh and if your cast on stitches are too tight, try casting them on two needles, so keep two needles horizontally 'on top' of each other, and just pull the other one out while your casting on has finished. And if these plastic (? not sure what material they are) needles are not working out either, consider getting wooden or bamboo ones. These have more 'grip' for your yarn to grab onto. Sostrene Grene has some cheap but good needles. I hope I'm not overstepping, but I wanted to help you out as a fellow beginner knitter ❤ EDIT after finishing the video: Scratch that last comment about different needles, you got those already.
thank you for your tips! i have some wooden free sticks now and they’re so much better. and even just watching back editing i was horrified at how much unnecessary tension i applied to my first attempts haha.
@@allisonpaiges yeah it's pretty difficult getting that tension, especially when your hands are not used to these new movements. And I've realised that even though frogging is necessary sometimes, you learn a lot along the way. Happy knitting!
My sister's cat came and cuddled with me while I watched parts of this video and he was so curious about your knitting hahahah also our wives under the sea sounds incredible I can't wait to pick it up!
I get real excited when you are excited to read a book I've already read and enjoyed. Loved Ring Shout, so happy you enjoyed Braiding Sweet Grass and now have Gathering Moss. Hope you enjoy As Long As Grass Grows. An elementary school teacher taught me how to knit and then my grandma tried to too on a long car ride. Chunky needles chunky yarn, that way you can see what you're doing and it goes a little quicker. I look on that time fondly as I deal with tiny yarn and tiny needles on a current project.
Girl! I just started crocheting and finished my first project today - a scarf for my sister. It made her so happy, she knew exactly what she wanted and it was extra simple and beginner friendly. I am so happy I picked it up as a new hobby! You'll be fine
I just found your channel and my goodness your editing is simply stunning!!! About to subscribe and binge all your videos and partake in the readathon fun. I hope you’re feeling better and you are so sweet and genuine and thank you bc I needed this❤
ive been knitting for years so id recommend trying to make your stitches much looser on your needles, it should help to prevent the soft yarn from breaking and also not hurt your knuckles you may also like crocheting better, its much quicker and smoother i find
The last thing I picked up that I sucked at was solving a 3x3 Rubik's cube, I was ass at it and when I memorized all the movements, I got much faster and now I can solve it in 2 minutes!
For knitting try to not cast on too much loops (?) Just start with swatchs and small squares so that you learn the actual process.. ♡! I always prefer crocheting because the project grows really fast. It's always lovely starting new hobbies 🥰 and I really enjoyed myself watching your vlog 🤍
i've been so curious about knitting too because i rlly want to make my own beanie but...i also struggle with powering thru something i'm not good at oy
I learnt how to knit last year, still very much a beginner. But I found scarves were good to practice using separate needles rather than the joined ones, and trying to do it really loose. You might find crochet is easier on the hands as I do find knitting for long periods is hard on the hands, upper arms and shoulders. And yeah starting with cheap yarn worked for me too!
Learning to knit is actually the worst!!! I’m seeing other recommendations like this but when I first learned how to knit, my first project was just a big square that was very lopsided, but I still use it as a hot pad! Makes me happy to still have some use for those shitty first knitting projects
I would usually knit during your videos so... welcome to the dark side :D Also you seemed to be starting to learn English Style knitting (holding the working yarn in the right hand), and this is definitely not the fastest method so you might want to consider learning Continental Style (holding the working yarn in the left hand) No hate to English Style ppl btw, you're valid too
Yes, I was going to comment this! I get really confused when I see English style, lol And to Allison, hang in there! Once you get the hang of it, muscle memory will be your friend ✨
This was so wonderful. Just moved into a new house and it’s still in that “I’m just living in a stranger’s house” time and I feel a bit unsettled. But this was cosy and familiar and felt like a hug. Thanks Ali and Happy Halloweeeen 🍂🎃👻
Knitting can be very difficult, it's hard to get started even for me who's knitted for years. Look up different ways to hold the yarn and needles, you might find something that'll be easier on your hands, like continental knitting. Or try crochet and do a granny square! Also, I definitely suggest straight none connected needles for new knitters, circular needles can be hard to work with. You can straighten the plastic on them by using hot steam and hanging them so they don't wanna curl up. Keep trying! It really is therapeutic once you get the hang of it. I get the hand pain too, damn arthritis 😂
If knitting doesn’t end up being your thing, please try crocheting! I taught myself how to knit first, but found it frustrating and difficult. I enjoy the process and repetition of crocheting a lot more. Also only having one tool (the hook) makes it more comfortable on my hands and wrists 💛 I can’t wait to see what you end up making! From one perfectionist to another- practice makes progress x I believe in you. You got this ✨
Also P.S. I just redownloaded The Sims today because of you! Nothing better than speeding through a knitting skill on the sims and feeling like a pro in real life 😂
Omg not me crocheting while watching this video 🥹 It took me sooo long to get even a proper stitch (like I was really bad), my hands hurt so much and I almost gave up. But now I'm working on my cardigan. Totally worth it 🙌 It takes a bit of endurance but you can do it !! 💪
who says circular needles are for beginners?!? i think they are wayyyy trickier, i had to do so many projects with regular needles before i felt comfy using circular ones. you got this!!
All the knitting owies gave me strong nostalgia pains! LOL! I'm the embodiment of heart eyes right now. Knitting sucks, but it's a way of life. Just kidding. It's the funnest. 🙃 Also Our Wives Under the SEA!! Yes.
you might enjoy making friendship bracelets if you like KNOTTING. it’s fun, and i take a bracelet string set up with me with a safety pin and make bracelets on the train 🥰
changing the style you knit in could help you with the pain! Continental knitting has you move the needles instead of the yarn and usually requires less fussing. definitely try to stick with it, the beginning is always the hardest part of a project, because you can't really see what you're doing, but it does get easier and more relaxing :)
Did I refresh my RU-vid page 10 times in a row (almost reaching a panic attack) because I didn't see Ally's video (thumbnail) show up on my page? (...) MAYBE. Yes. Absolutely. Do I feel better now that I've watched the video ? HELL YEAH. My sunday is now as cozy as can be. I've been waiting for this upload since... I realized it was sunday today lol! Thank you for your energy! ♥
@@allisonpaiges I'm from Belgium as well :) but for some reason... it didn't show up at 17:00 (and I've been waiting since 16:50 just so you know how commited I am to your videos
Knitting waaaaay too tight. Chiagoo circular needles work. Cheaper needles have a plastic cable that gets really twisted when you knit tightly. You can stretch them out by dipping the cable in hot water and straighten out. You got this, Allison. All things are available on RU-vid - cast on, knitting and purling. If the yarn rips…spit splice back together!
