Beginner knitting tips from a beginner

I started knitting over a year ago, I'd classify myself as an advanced beginner. There are a lot of things I've learned along the way that I wish someone had told me when I was just starting out. It would have saved me a lot of time and a lot of headaches. Below is a list of things that you can do now to avoid any hassles in the future. 

This isn't a how to tutorial, if you want to learn how to knit I would suggest visiting Knitting Help and then coming back here once you've gotten the hang things.

Ask questions. 

Don't let pride stand in your way of learning. It's okay to ask questions, it's the only way you'll ever learn. There are plenty of forums online dedicated to helping people figure out their knitting problems. Ravelry and Knitting Help are my favorites. They're both full of expert knitters who have no problem helping out. Remember no question is a dumb question we've all been there. Just remember to use the search function first to see if your question has already been answered.

Practice the knit and purl stitch equally. 

When I first started out knitting I focused all of my energy on perfecting the knit stitch. Boy, has it come around and bitten me in the keister. When I'm knitting flat stockinette stitch it takes me twice as long to do the purl row than it does for me to do the knit row. This won't be the case forever, but it could have been avoided if I had taken more time right off the bat and practiced the purl stitch.

Avoid a plain garter stitch scarves as a first project. 

My poor abandoned Ravenclaw Scarf

 

When I first started knitting I set out to make a garter stitch scarf in Ravenclaw colors. It was fun at first, but after a few weeks of row after row of the knit stitch, I got bored. Now, it's sitting in the corner of my room taunting me. My advice would be to do something small for your first couple of projects. Look for something that mixes the knit and purl stitch that will keep things exciting.

Beginner Project Ideas 

If you opt for one of these projects don't forget to do a few using the knit stitch and a few using the purl stitch.

Simple Garter Stitch Coasters

Plain and Simple Wash cloth and burp cloth

Super Soaker Coaster

Learn how to fix a mistake before you make it. 

Making a mistake is inevitable. Everyone does it, from the beginner to the most advanced knitter. The best thing you can do is be prepared. Believe me, it's far less stressful when you know how to fix something when you come to it in the middle of your project.

Practice making a mistake

I'd recommend first watching this video. Than make a swatch by casting on around 20-30 stitches. Knit in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) for a few inches then drop a stitch by slipping a stitch off your needle. Knit two more rows. Then follow the instructions in the video above.

I'd also recommend checking out Very Pink's correcting a mistake page and doing a bunch of swatches where you make mistakes and learn how to fix them. You never know what you may come up against.

Read through the pattern before you start knitting. Make a swatch. 

Some of my earliest swatches

 

What I like to do before I even decide if I want to knit a pattern is read through it. As I read it I make notes on things I have to learn or need a refresher's course on. Then I make a swatch, like I suggested above, and practice until each new technique becomes second nature. Sometimes, I decide that the pattern is all together too difficult for me and move on to a simpler pattern. I've gotten part way through too many projects before I'd realized I was in over my head and had to frog a lot of work. Reading the pattern thoroughly has become a huge time saver.

Relax and have fun with it

Now that you've read these tips just go sit down and have fun with your knitting. Don't stress if your first projects don't look perfect. Mine didn't. Remember it's a learning process and it takes time to get truly good at it. So, if your work looks a bit wonky, relax and know that with each stitch you're getting better.