Since I am still new at this knitting thing I thought I would do a post about advice for anyone considering starting knitting. I have been knitting all of 6 or 7 weeks and have completed 2 projects. I am working on a really easy shawl now and will probably make 2 more of those for Mother's Day gifts before I move on to something else. Anyway here's my advice:
First, find a knitting mentor. Find someone that has been knitting for a while and have her help you choose a first project. Have her help you choose needles. Have her take you to a quality yarn store and explain things. Maybe even choose a project and start it together. She will be right there to answer questions and critique your technique.
Don't bother buying cheap needles from a chain craft store. If you think knitting is going to be a lifelong hobby, then invest in good tools (your husband would do the same thing). If you are not sure if you are going to keep knitting, then borrow needles. Good yarn stores will have some to try. Try bamboo, wood, metal and acrylic and see which ones you like best, then buy a good set of needles. You will also need to decide if you want straight needles, fixed circular needles or interchangeable circular needles. Eventually you might end up with all of them, but hopefully not right away. I bought several sets of straight bamboo needles in several sizes from a chain store and I kinda' regret spending the money. I bought a moderately priced set of interchangeable needles that I wish I would have started off with right away. I also have an expensive set on order that will take 4 or 5 months before I get (because of the demand for these good quality needles).
Go to knittinghelp.com and watch lots of videos. Also download the app by the same name (for $5). Then you will have the videos right on your phone or ipod when you need them. I have used the videos several times to help me with a technique that I could just not remember. I love having the videos handy. Also they are on your phone, so you don't need wifi or your phone service to watch them.
When you have TONS of time to kill, go to ravelry.com and join. Then wander around the website. Did you see a pattern somewhere that you liked? Well someone on ravelry has probably made it and they have posted pictures. For the shawl I am making now there were about 60 people on ravelry who had already made it and posted pictures. I could get a nice idea of how it would look with different yarns, etc. Ravelry also has message boards, galleries, and groups. There are thousands of groups, including some where people are "destashing" stuff. You can get yarn, used needles and other knitting accessories at great prices.
And my last bit of advice would be not to choose a project with cables until you've been knitting for a while. Also know that even experienced knitters have to rip things out and start over.
Oh, one more thing... check your library for knitting books. That was another thing that I have spent too much money on so far... books (I have purchased 5 knitting books so far and got another for a gift). Check your library for books. If there is one pattern you like in it, just copy the pattern. If there are many patterns you like, then look for the book used on Amazon or half.com.
Happy Knitting!!
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