Knitting. An old and beloved craft that our grandmothers used to raise us with. Whether it was underwear, a pair of socks, or a turtleneck, Grandma always knew what to do. Now that you see beautifully knitted cardigans and sweaters in the most vibrant colors in most (online) stores, you might come to the conclusion that Grandma’s creations weren’t so bad after all. And once you’ve confirmed that Grandma was a true trendsetter—and that you’re quite capable of doing the job yourself—there’s only one thing left to do: grab your Knitting Needles.
Knitting has already been embraced by many, but if you’re a BB (Beginner Knitter), that first step is really important! So if you’d like to learn a new craft, whether you’re already an avid crocheter, knitter, or macramé enthusiast, or if you’re a beginner eager to explore the world of crafts and discover knitting as a great entry-level craft, then this blog is for you!
Yarnplaza to the rescue
To knit, you need Knitting Needles and yarn—something most enthusiasts already know. But if you’re just starting out in the wonderful world of knitting, you might not yet know all the paths you can take, the directions you can go in, or the pitfalls that lie ahead. To help you get started with knitting, we’ve created a step-by-step guide consisting of eight steps. If you follow these steps, you’ll soon have your first creation on your knitting needles. Good luck!
Steps
1 | Choose wisely
Even though deep down there’s a true knitting queen inside you who can’t wait to come out, it’s wise to start with an easy project. An easy pattern and a simple stitch, so you can reach the finish line without too many hurdles. Don’t get us wrong—we love a challenge, too! But if you want to finish your first knitting project and make sure your Knitting Needles don’t end up gathering dust on a shelf, we recommend making a sensible choice when starting out. “What kinds of projects should I consider?” you might ask yourself. For your first knitting adventure, you could try pot holders, a Scarf, or a Cushion. At Yarnplaza.com, we offer many fun Knitting Kits, and you can use the filter to indicate your skill level. Just check the box! That way, finding a suitable knitting challenge isn’t an impossible task.
2 | Yarn and Knitting Needles
Fiddly work with thin yarn and thin Knitting Needles is, as the name suggests, really quite fiddly. For a seasoned knitter, it’s a nice change of pace; for a beginner, it’s still a step too far. But what then? Choose a slightly thicker yarn, such as Yarn and Colors Happy, Rico Essentials Super Chunky, DROPS Alaska, or Katia Maxi Merino. At Yarnplaza.com, click on the “Wool & Yarn” tab and use the filter on the left to specify that you’re looking for yarns suitable for Needle Sizes 5 and up. You guessed it. You can skip the needles with sizes between 1 and 4.5, because they involve more fiddly work—something we’re not quite ready for yet. So don’t make it too hard on yourself. Choose Knitting Needles with a minimum size of 5/6 and yarns that are suitable for these needle sizes!
3 | Keep a tight grip on your wallet
A Mercedes or a Fiat Panda. There’s nothing wrong with either car, but they are different from each other. Both vehicles will take you from A to B, C, and D, but the way they handle on the road is different. Yarn also comes in different qualities, which corresponds to a difference in price. When we’re talking about your first knitting project, we’re not exactly talking about your Picasso. So keep your pennies tucked away under your mattress, because you’re going to need them if you want to buy the crème de la crème of yarns for that masterpiece.
4 | How-to Guides
You’ve chosen your kit or pattern, the Knitting Needles, and the yarn. Now the fun is really about to begin, because it’s time to grab those Knitting Needles. The pattern for your first pièce de résistance specifies which stitches you’ll be using. Our website features many helpful videos that explain the basic stitches. You can find the videos under the “tutorials” section. So there’s no room for excuses—you, too, can complete your first creation from start to finish!
5 | To measure is to know
Before you start on the pattern, knit a gauge swatch first. A gauge swatch is a small piece that gives you an idea of how you knit. After all, everyone has a different knitting style. By making a gauge swatch, you can get a good sense of whether you’re using the right needle size for the yarn you’ve chosen. If you want to use a different yarn than the one specified in the original pattern, there’s no guarantee that your project will turn out the right size with that yarn. So making a gauge swatch is definitely the way to go!
6 | Useful Tips
Step 6 is actually “Tip 6.” We’d like to suggest that you take your time to explore our website and gather various tips from our previous blog posts. Handy tips that come in handy at certain moments! We’ll share the first handy tip with you right here in this blog post. Handy Tip #1: When you’re knitting, you might accidentally drop a stitch from your Knitting Needle. Don’t panic! You can easily pick up that stitch with a Crochet Hook and transfer it back to your Knitting Needles. If you don’t have a Crochet Hook yet, take a look at our selection of Crochet Hooks. You’re sure to find something you’ll love!
7 | Perfectionist
Of course, you want everything to go smoothly right away and to shine like a star. Just don’t forget that you’re learning a new skill, which takes time and energy. So don’t be too hard on yourself—be kind to yourself with every step you take. Be proud of yourself. We certainly are proud of you! Above all, keep at it, because before you know it, you’ll be following in the legendary footsteps of your creative grandmother.
8 | Find a BBB
Crafting doesn't have to be a serious business. Most of all, have fun! And as the saying goes, “The more, the merrier”—an activity is always more fun and enjoyable when you’re with others. So find a Beginner Knitter Buddy: someone with whom you can share all the struggles and wonderful moments of your knitting adventure, and who can motivate you at just the right moments to keep from putting down your Knitting Needles.
All that’s left for us to say is: we wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy knitting—because that’s what crafting is all about, after all!
Lots of love and pink-colored greetings,
The Yarnplaza Team
