Why I Started Knitting & Tips on How To Start Knitting
I have posted quite a few sewing tutorials recently but with the cooler weather coming up I have some knitting and crochet projects to show you (my other two loves). I also share some of basic stitches to get you started on learning how to knit, at the end!
If you have been following along on Instagram, you will know that I am working on knitting a sweater for the winter for my son. This is actually the first sweater I have ever knitted! My specialty, if you can call it that, are hats. Over the years, I have made quite a few hats from newborn all the way up to adult size. But, I did not starting knitting them until a year ago. My first hats are actually crocheted! I began crocheting about 7 years ago after following the blog All About Ami. She is still my inspiration for getting started in the world of yarn. Once I had learned the basics, it was easy to modify and change up patterns (this is what I find the most interesting!)
The Beginning of My Love for Knitting
Knitting has always been something I thought I could not master. The process looked complicated and quite frankly, terrified me. Like really, I just got comfortable working with one crochet hook, you mean I have to use two needles to knit? HA! My Aunt had taught me to knit more 20 years ago and I made 2 or 3 inches of a scarf and gave up. Has anyone else experienced that? It took too long to make because I kept missing stitches, ripping them out and restarting, leaving holes in the process.
After seeing all the beautiful knitted items on Pinterest, it gave me a new spark to try knitting again. With knitting, you tend to have a lot more options for patterns with the variety of stitches out there. So, I made my first knitted hat using circular needles about a year ago. I used the basic knit stitch which made the transition easy. Of course, I made a few more hats with different types of yarn since then. I have to say the chunky yarns were faster to knit up, and I definitely recommend them for beginners!
The Wonderful Wallaby Sweater
In May, I visited a friend in San Diego and saw the sweater she made for her friends son and I could not get over just how beautiful it was! So, I went on the hunt for the Wonderful Wallaby Sweater by Cottage Creations pattern. The pattern is not available for online download (only in booklet form). It can be found on Ravelry and Purl Soho. The only thing with booklet patterns is that I live in Canada so I had to do some extra research to find the pattern to avoid paying high shipping prices. Google is great sometimes because with some luck I found it at a local shop in London, Ontario.
The sweater mainly uses the two most basic stitches (knit and purl). The most complicated part is trying to put the pieces together including adding the front pouch. It is not too difficult but as someone who has never put a sweater together, it is taking me longer than I thought. I do have to get this sweater done before my son outgrows it!
Other Knitting and Crochet Tutorials
The knitting and crochet community is fun to be part of. There are just so many incredibly talented pattern designers out there. Stay tuned, because I have some easy tutorials coming up on knitting projects which are great for the colder season that is coming.
The Yarn
The mustard yarn for this sweater was bought way before the fall mustard trend had come out. I guess I was ahead of the trend because mustard is everywhere and I LOVE IT! Personally love 100% merino wool for winter knitwear and found that Cascade Yarns had some reasonable priced yarn since I need 3 skeins for this sweater! It is the colour Golden in their 100% Superwash merino wool which is great for kids. The yarn is super soft and I cannot wait to put it on my little guy this fall!
How to Cast On
Casting on is the method to add stitches to your knitting needle. This serves as the base for your entire project.
The Knit Stitch
For the knit stitch, place the working needle through the yarn behind the other needle. Wrap the yarn over the working needle and pull through.
The Purl Stitch
Knit the entire row and you will have something that looks like the picture below.
For the purl stitch, place the needle to through the yarn to the front. Bring the yarn over the top of the needle and pull through.
After a few rounds of the knit and purl stitch, you will get a nice rib pattern. If you are working on circular needles, you simple use the knit stitch for each round.
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