I was somewhere around 8 or 9. It was a cold wintry day in Illinois, and my mother must have been beside herself with what to do with us all shut in the house in that pre TV era. So she sat the 4 of us down, cast on some stitches with worsted yarn, and taught us how to knit potholders. Then I did not knit again till it was such a craze in college with huge knitting needles. I bought a sweater pattern, but I had never learned to cast on. So I sat and fiddled with the yarn, picturing how my long dead mother had positioned her hands when she cast on, and figured out how to do it. I have knit off and on all my life, until recently usually to make only baby layette gifts.

Slippers. Lots of slippers. I sold them to all my aunts and uncles when I was 12 and just learning. They encouraged me so. $6 a pair and I thought I had hit it big.

A doll blanket....then another....think I was about 7. I graduated to afghan squares for the war effort....and then on to 2 needle mittens at about10. The first sweater I knit was a double worstead weight skating sweater....the yarn shop owner made up the pattern for me....and that's how I learned it could be done.
Then went through a sock period....for everyone I knew! Ltos of sox....and also crocheted baby booties and hat sets for friends who married early.....and on to sweaters fore veryone!
\Then back to baby clothes! LOL!
Lidna C

It was a scarf made out of the ugliest brown yarn you could imagine. My grandmother, grand victorian dame that she was, did not believe in waste, or in buying something new (like more yarn) just because it was pretty. She had the brown stuff left over from something, she had some bent metal needles, that's what she taught me with. My memory is that I was about 4 (those victorians got an early jump on life). I can't have been more than 6, because that's when she moved out of the one apartment to another.

Half a century later I don't still have the scarf, but I do still have the bent needles, what's left of the ugly brown yarn, and all those wonderful memories of my grandmother, who I still think of, and miss, every day.

Now my *second* project was a turquoise blue, Coco Chanel dress and jacket for my baby doll, that Grandma designed for me, and bought the yarn specially as a reward for how well I had learned to knit. Still have doll, dress and jacket.

Wow - thanks for letting me blog about one of the five people I'd like to meet in Heaven.

I learned to knit in grade 7, my first project was a pair of mitts on 2 needles. And I have been knitting ever since. Just love it.

Mind if I join in on this one? It was while my husband was stationed in Germany in 1957. My German landlady taught me and I made a sweater for my 3 year old. It looked pretty bad, but I was so happy to find someone to teach me. Stayed there long enough to get to 5 needle socks. Still use her methods of casting on, but have no idea what you call it.

I had learned to crochet from my mother and the usual embroidery, making clothing, etc. at home, but no one around me knew how to knit. I learned working with wool and still prefer to use it.

Lindac, I loved those yarn stores that would hold some of your die lot for you until the project was done and make up patterns on the spot. Just had to carry in your needles and work up a test piece for them. Really missed that wonderful wool yarn when I came home.

My aunt owned a yarn shop when I was growing up and would have loved it if I was at all interested. Stupid me, I learned to knit and pearl but don't remember actually making anything. Then about a year ago (at 60 years old!) I decided to mke a scarf with yarn left over from my late MIL - another knitter whose expertise I didn't take advantage of. It's just a garter stitch but a great color, and I was hooked. (no, I don't crochet, didn't mean to pun:-)

Now, making up for lost time, I always have a simple scarf or something in my handbag for spare moments, have made and donated hats and a baby blanket, given fun fur scarves for the holidays, and am now working on a baby sweater. What a great hobby!

As a kid I used to go to Sunday dinners at a friend's house. It was one of those deals where dinner was between 1 and 3. Then the men went into one room and the women stayed in the kitchen. A friends Mom taught the girls to knit. We were all around the same age. I was 9 at the time.

We all started with squares in garter stitch. Then moved on to squares in purl; then slip stitch; etc. When she felt we all understood the different techniques and stitches, she sewed the squares together and made a blanket that was donated somewhere.

The first thing I made for myself was a turtleneck sweater in bubblegum pink with a cable down the center front. I was about 9 1/2 and so proud that I wore it to school. So what that it was May, and I nearly fainted from heat exhaustion. lol

knitn4Dstressn...better late than never. I'm close to your age and still figuring some things out for the first time myself.

Teri, very funny about that pink sweater.

I learned to knit about 30 years ago at Sears when they sold things like yarn and taught people to knit. I made a sampler afghan which I still have and a really awful sweater.

Socks, I learned to knit at Sears, too! When I was 6, my dad brought home a "learn to knit kit" and I started teaching myself, then when I was 7 my mom took me to knitting classes at Sears (never mind that everyone else was SOOOO OLD! - well, all adults are OLD to a 7 year old!) The first project I remember doing was "banana booties" - slippers that came out curved so that they were kind of banana-shaped. Then I jumped in with both feet and designed a cabled fisherman sweater for myself that I still wear...it must be about 25 or 30 years old by now!

At age 7, my grandmother sat down to teach me how to knit a skirt for my Barbie from a kit my father had purchased. We didn't get too far (like four rows), as she declared it has the worst directions ever. It was far enough, however, for me to pick up a book 17 years later as a newlywed and knit a very expensive icelandic wool sweater for my husband, full of stripes and textures (not cables). He was so proud of it until I washed it (does the word felting come to mind) and then it fit him like a sausage casing! Still, the hobby stuck with me!

As a young bride, I treated myself to crochet lessons at Sears. That was well over 35 years ago.

The first thing I learned to knit at age 31 was dishcloths and lots of them. I figured I learned how to crochet again from a CD that it couldn't be to hard to learn to knit from a CD. My husband thinks that 15 or so dishcloths were more than enough, so I knit a sweater for the 3 yr old that fits every where but over the head, tried to put on the 18 mo. old wouldn't fit over his head either. Going to try the pattern 2 sizes bigger to get it over her head.

I only occasionally post here. But here I am today. A neighbor and I decided to learn to knit.This was in 1962. So we went and got yarn and needles. First I learned to cast on. Jumped right in and started on a sweater, It was purple and white,that is whwat my son wanted. All three of my sons wore it as did several others. DS still has it. I have made a lot of things and finally decided that was all and put it aside
I finally picked it up again and at present time I am making the fuzzy scarfs, it seems everyone wants. The number 19 needles are just too ackward to use and the 13s make them to tight so, I had DH use 1/2 inch dowel rods and put points on them. He sanded them real well,They are only
about 10 inches long. I have made several scarfs and they work great.

I learned to knit when young, picked it up again in college in the 60s, but don't remember anything I knitted then, picked it up again in the 80s when I wanted to quit smoking. I waited until DH was away on a 2 week business trip, bought large needles, pastel blue and cream worsted, and an afghan pattern (strips of fat cables alternating blue and cream). I knitted like crazy, chewed gum, and ate chocolate for two weeks, then put the afghan away and finally gave it, unfinished, to Goodwill. My sister got me started crocheting a few months ago, and now I'm starting to get back into knitting.

Oh, I haven't smoked since:)

Glad to hear knitting helped you through
a very difficult time. Congratulations on your victory.

Now if I could only give up chocolate :)

My Granny taught me to knit socks when I was ten. I had been crocheting for a couple of years. I like knitting best.

Hello, Sheila Kay here , a newbie, My first knitted project was a long scraf. I'm still making them , and other project today. I turned 50 this year. Happy Knitting. Sheila Kay

A sampler afghan, 30+ years ago when I learned to knit at Sears Roebuck. Second thing was a sweater, believe it or not. I'd never attempt a sweater now!

My mom taught me when I was about 8, and we all made pot holders one winter day.

When I was in Brownies we had to knit a six inch square. I found it so hard. Now I look back and realize my mother had me knitting with fine sock needles and yarn. The other girls were using fatter needles and yarn and didnt need as many stitches. I had such a hard time knitting that square. I didnt knit again for ten years and then made a tea cosy and egg cosies in yellow and white stripes. Then when lopi sweaters came in I made some of them. Now twenty five years later I just knit socks, mittens and some hats.

30+ years ago my Grandma taught me to crochet when I was 9. My parents had gotten divorced and she came to stay with us for the summer. I'd watch her crochet on metal coat hangers and make these doilies without any pattern at all. So she sat me down one day, gave me a little crochet hook and some thread and taught me. I made a little doily about 10 inches in diameter with this ugly variegated pink thread. I ended up using it for my barbie dolls. I'd pop off their heads and put the center hole of the doily over their necks, then put their heads back on, and it was like this fancy caftan dress thingy! Like mirren I didn't do anything with it again for about 10 years after that, and then I went afgan crazy and crocheted one for everyone! Just recently I finally learned to knit and I enjoy it so much more that crocheting! I'm in to making felted bags right now with the hopes of doing a thing or two in the way of clothing for my little great niece.

Mine was a six inch square in a variagated purple yarn when I was 6-7 yrs old. We were staying with my grandmother and she bought my sister and I the yarn of our choice and taught us to knit even though I had no interest in it at all. I didn't pick up needles again until I was about 16 and wanted a sweater - I designed myself a couple, knitted them up and have worn them every winter for the past 23 years.

In the early 60's my neighbor and I got a "how to knit book" and we both made the simple childs sweater size six. When we were done hers was about a size three and mine a size twelve. I've since learned the importance of checking the gauge. I'm new at this chat room stuff. FUN I'm 69 yrs and always have a knitting project in the works. Right now I'm knitting Marthas poncho. I can crochet but prefer to knit. Dottie from Mn.

I'm a newbie to this forum.

About 49 years ago, I went to an 8 week course at Sears Knitting School. it was really terrific. I actually began knitting in the 1950's while in high school. I made dice for my boyfriend's car and also socks with angora argyles. Even knit a beautiful mohair cable knit sweater for him.

I already knew how to knit when I attended Sears school, but really learned alot from them; how to gauge, make your own patterns, fancy fringes, etc. I still have my workbook somewhere. After I attended that school in the 60's I knit sweaters for all the little nieces and nephews. Made myself a 2 piece knit skirt and vest. Also, back in the 60's cardigan sweaters with sequins knit into front of the sweaters were all the rage. I bought a kit but don't know what ever happened to it.

I am just now picking up needlework again after a 40 year hiatus. I am retired and so finding a minute here and there to make keepsakes for new little grandchildren. It is great to do this again. Keeps me from stuffing my face with food. Ha.

I learned to crochet when I was about 12, from a book I bought. My mom had showed me how to chain stitch but I couldn't understand the rest, so bought the book. Never tried knitting until in my early 20s, right after I got married and saw this cute pattern for a Barbie doll sweater for my step daughter. Had some baby yarn but no knitting needles, so used a couple of "pick up sticks" from a game we had. It turned out pretty good, pattern was teeny squares. Haven't done much since then, some 40 years, but you all are making me want to try it again.
Donna

The first thing I ever knitted was a teddy bear that I still have. I learned to knit in handicrafts class at school when I was about 10. I was excited to learn it, but after I finished the teddy bear I never knitted anything again until I was about 20 and knitted a sweater - which took me several months. By the time I was done, I hated it so much that I wore it once and then gave it to a charity that was collecting warm clothes for refugees. I like to imagine some teenage girl got it and liked it more than I did. I haven't knitted anything since - I prefer crochet.

I am a crocheter who had joined the weekly knitting group at my favorite LYS so I could also teach my girlfriend how to crochet. We both ended up learning how to knit, and I remember the 1st cabled square I did as a swatch. As for my 1st "real" finished project, that would be a keyhole scarf in heather green Galway. I ended up buying more of that yarn to make a matching sweater, but I have not found a pattern I like to use as of yet.
=:8

Here is a link that might be useful: Some Bunny's Weblog

The first thing I knitted was a scarf.
I learned to knit at about age 21, There were classes going on in the local school at night once a week.
My husband was laid off and we had two small babies. So my friend took the classes, bought me the book they were using and when the kids went to bed she would call me on the phone and tell me what to do! I did ok untill it came time to purl, I had a trerrible mess going on with that yarn, "then" she remembered she neglected to tell me to bring the yarn to the front!! :o)

First article I made was a toilet paper cover. Have knitted off and on for 40 years. Started at about 10. A couple of years ago started making an afagan out of left over yarn. I now have more yarn than I started out with and only have one afagan nearly complete but have yarn for 4-5 more. Made matching sweaters for DH and I that we wore on our honeymoon 28 years ago. He still has his mine is way too small and gave it to charity. Had our initials and our brand in it. Do some crocheting but prefer to knit. Very relaxing.

The first thing I completed believe it or not was socks. They were one of the main reasons I started knitting I saw all these cute toasty warm pretty little socks and just wanted to see if I could make them. I have them down now pretty well. I'm now enjoying many other projects as well. Currently working on a few things. I like to have a couple to a few projects at once going on in case I get bored of one I can switch to another. I'm currently making "gift" scarves with soft yarn in a loose knit and beads strung at the end, a few shawls? in similar style and a cable blanket..... I'm looking to start some gloves and a few more socks and a intarsia or fair isle ? blanket and am currently looking for a nice knit beret pattern. :)

my mother taught me how to knit at around 10 years old. she is not a knitter, but she can knit & pearl. the only thing she ever made was some barbie clothes (which i still have). of course i had to make barbie clothes too! ;) i got some hot pink yarn, small needles and pearled a long skirt (aka a rectangle that i seamed up the back).LOL

I was 25 and made matching cable knit sweaters for my hubby & son,then a sweater each for my parents & in-laws. I had crocheted for several years because I couldn't get my gauge right when I knit. Then I saw a friend knit by throwing the yarn with her right hand and I was off to the races. I started in September and finished the last one on Christmas Eve. I was a stay-at-home Mom with only one child.

I was eight and had measles. My mother and grandmother were both knitters so I had a base line of sorts. My mother gave me a learn to knit book, needles (red plastic ones, ewwwwww) and yarn. She showed me how to cast on and I made a cable scarf that tied under the chin. It was kelly green.

The first thing I knit was a head band that tied under the chin. This was in Home Economics class and I was eleven years old. It covered everything, casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing. We even had to make ties with tassels on the end. I had picked a nice light green wool. Needless to say, it was a few shades darker when finally finished. Oh, and we started in September with end of December as a completion date. I think I managed to complete mine by spring semester. I ripped those stitches back so many times I think I could probably still knit that head band from memory.

After seeing this thread, I had to really think and finally remembered!

My mom taught me how to knit (and just the knit stitch because she didn't know how to purl) when I was 5 back in '67 right after my little sister was born. I didn't have enough yarn to make anything (all mom had was a leftover scrap ball that I could cast on with and knit a couple of rows). But not too many years later in the early '70s, I came into possession of an old, falling apart knitting book with a pattern for an ascot. I finally managed to get enough yarn to make it and when completed, it sortof looked like {{gwi:1574913}}.