They sell those same knitting hoops at Michaels. You should look at them there, to avoid shipping charges. I don't knit, but my teen daughter does (took an afterschool class). It's very easy to pick up, and there are plenty of videos on the internet to show you exactly how if you do not know anyone to demonstrate it to you. My daughter has expanded her fancy stitch-repetoire that way.

I do a lot of handwork ~ knit, crochet, embroidery, counted cross stitch, needlepoint, etc. while sitting in front of the TV. Generally, I prefer old fashioned tools like ordinary knitting needles and crochet hooks to things like the knitting tool, though I have never tried the one you linked.

My 28 yo dtr belongs to a knitting club. They teach each other lots of new stitches. When she started knitting a couple years ago by buying a How-To book, all she could do was knit and purl. Now she's doing all sorts of fine things, thanks to her group. My public library also offers free classes periodically.

So, personally, I'd recommend borrowing a simple book or two from the library on learning to knit or crochet, buying the needles or hooks the books suggest and a skein of yarn for your first project. Keep it simple and you'll be hooked in no time. Get a friend or two interested and you'll have even more fun!

Good luck,

Sherry

You might also check your local library for knitting videos. And do a Google search to see if there's a knitting club in your area, or you might also see if there's somebody in your neighborhood who can teach you to knit: post something on the bulletin board at work, or even visit a senior-citizen center to ask around (you probably would just make someone's day! someone interested in learning from them!).

Concerning the circular tools, I wonder if that will lead you to a project but really not teach the basic techniques of using knitting needles?

I have that set of 'knitting' rings and my 7 year old granddaughter can use them. You may or may not remember making snakes on a spool, but this is just a version of that. We used to have a wooden thread spool with several nails hammered into the end. You wrap yarn around each nail or pin and once each one is covered, you wrap another round over it. We used to use a bobby pin (remember those?) to pick up the lowest loop and pass it over the larger one. Over the years there have been similar tools - I remember when my daughter was little there was a Barbie knitter which worked similarly.

It's entertaining and you can easily make stocking-knit type caps out of heavier yarns quite easily, but frankly, it's limited. In the long run, you'd have more variety if you learn how to actually knit with " 2 sticks and some string". :-)

Helene

If you do decide to learn to knit, try to learn form someone who learned in Europe rather than from an American.

All of the American-trained knitters I know use this incredibly inefficient three-step technique where they push the needle through the loop, fetch the yard and wind it around the needle, then pull the yarn through. Often, they reposition their hands on the needles and yarn more than once with each stich. Yeah - They can get fast at it, but it's still an inefficient process.

In Germany, where I learned to knit, each stich is done in a continuous 'push-pull scooping' motion with the yarn held in such a way that it's accessible without repositioning your hands on the needles. Hard to describe, I know, but worth investigating before you learn.

The 'proper German' hand-motion is certainly trickier -- but if you learn it right the first time and make the decision to 'invest' the extra time, you'll gain speed in no time and find knitting much more fun!

I've always wanted to learn to do intricate patterns with a knitting project, but I find I lose count halfway through the row.

It is very very frustrating, so I've gone back to either doing basic knit/purl or crocheting which is mindless and doesn't require any counting to change stiches etc.

Does anyone have any great ideas on how they keep to a pattern when knitting and watching TV, talking to others etc? Maybe I just can't multi task, but then I don't want to sit in a quiet room and knit if it requires that much concentration!

Thank you all so much for your comments and advice. I see I have a lot to learn as I don't know what "purl" means nor the difference between knitting/crocheting.

I am so excited. I told DH I will be at the library 1st thing Saturday morning. I'd go before then but it's closed by the time I get home from work.

My goal will be 2 sticks and some string, German style. :o)

Hopefully soon I will have pics to share!! Thanks again!!

Hi,
I am a beginning knitter too!

I was baffled by most of the books at the library but finally found one that works for me. It's 'Kid's Knitting' by Melanie Falick. It is written for children and was just what I needed. I'm halfway through my first sweater!

When I come across a problem in knitting I have had excellent luck in finding solutions on Youtube.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Kid's Knitting at Amazon

Just an FYI - German-style knitting is sometimes called "Continental" style - American style is English. I was taught German-style by my mother, and I, too, cannot fathom all the motions necessary to make a knit stitch - purl is even worse!

Helene

'Continental Style' - Good to know Blubird!

I was taught once as a kid by my American mother, but quickly gave it up because it was such a PITA. Even watching good knitters knit, it was clear that it didn't get too much better...

I learned how to knit all over again while an exchange student in Germany, and Continental Style knitting is SO much less frustrating! When I was there, many of the teenage girls knitted, and how quickly they were able to knit was inspiring.

This blog makes me want to knit! I just started thinking about it recently too.

Here is a link that might be useful: earthchicknits

I am so excited to try this out, thank you everyone for your posts.

Thanks postum for the book referral, I like very basic instructions and pictures. I am going to check at my library and if they dont have it, it's only $10 and change on Amazon. Worth the investment I think!

Boopadaboo---I want to check that out, thanks for sharing!

Cath, if you're near a Michael's, call and see if they have classes -- the one in my old area did; I haven't checked here yet. You might check at a JoAnne's or Hobby Lobby, too. Also, yarn shops routinely offer lessons or beginner classes.

I taught my 40-year old daughter and my 7-year-old granddaughter to knit this winter. My DD went crazy doing scarves, then sorta lost steam. Granddaughter is working on a scarf.

From what I've read, Sweeby's right -- wish the girl who taught me in college had done Continental style. My muscle memory insists I knit American-style, as I've done for almost 50 years.