Hi SPEWers! Here are some links to great Knitting/Crocheting resources!

First, you have to learn to knit! So, here are some getting-started sites. Some even have videos so you can hear and see an actual person actually creating!

How-To Sites:

The Yarn Co.

Knitting Help (look at the tabs at the top to move on from the cast-on page)

Lion Brand Yarns

Lion Brands--Crocheting

Wonderful Things-- Crocheting

Knit AND Crochet Stitch VIDEOS

Bella's Crocheting How-To

Don't like ANY of these!? GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND. There are a SKILLION how-to sites on the internet, and if you find better ones SHARE them with us! Try googling specific terms like "slip knot" "crochet chain" or "casting on" to avoid being hit with too many "buy our book/video!" sites. "Learn to Knit" and "Learn to Crochet" will nevertheless turn up many, many free learning sites as well. Yarn companys WANT you to get addicted, so the first few hits are always free

Now for some Charity sites. I have a site here that lists many, many, many wonderful causes world-wide, so I'll post it. Again, this is just a start, so feel free to add your own suggestions. Please make sure that if you suggest a charity, you link to a site with information and an ADDRESS and other pertinent information. If you'll be going with local charities, tell us about them-- we may have a chapter nearby that we could look up!

Knitting Charities

Soon, I will add a list of basic patterns
suitable for (really, really) beginning knitters. If you've got some patterns you've tried out and know to be easy-peasy, feel free to add them!

Tree, I'm sure you're aware, but others might not be aware that Lion Brand Yarns has hundreds of knitting and crocheting patterns available for free upload on their website. It's where I got the pattern for my Martha Stewart Poncho - I've made two of those so far...

*long ears flapping*

Oooh, must have a lookie! I mostly make up my own patters (sometimes while I am already knitting a piece and the pattern happens as I go along), but I'd love to learn a few new stiches. I usually do stockinette or moss stitch, and can do a few cables, but that's about it. As long as I can work out how to do them left-handed, I should be ok...

Great topic!

They do indeed have a good selection of patterns. Although I was going to hold off a little while on posting patterns so that no one started too soon and got frustrated, I'll go ahead and show the pattern for Ife's hat which happens to be from that site

DO NOT TRY THIS YET IF YOU ARE AN UTTER BEGINNER (it's easyish, but I'd call it more... advanced beginner)

Ife's Hat

More Lionbrand Patterns

Just thought everyone might be interested in this kit, available in various brick and mortar and online stores...

Taught Myself Knitting Kit

The Exact Place I found it for 10 bucks + shipping

Taught Myself to CROCHET (also 10 bucks)

It is the very kit wee Tree once used to teach herself to knit, and the cool thing is you can get it cheap on ebay (just got one for 9.99 on ebay to poke a pal into trying knitting) and it contains EVERYTHING you need BUT the yarn, which is a good thing, because you have lots more freedom that way.

And no, I am NOT making any kind of commission on this

It's got a book with instructions including left-handed, patterns, knitting needles (2 sizes), yarn needles, point protectors, stitch holder, a gauge, and a counter. And also cabone rings, which I've never used in my life or even seen them called for in a pattern, but what the heck.

The Crochet kit has a book with instructions and patterns, 5 Crochet Hooks ~ Sizes F, G, H, I, K, Afghan Hook size I, Yarn Needles; Stich Marker Rings and Bulky Yarn Bobbins

I just wanted to share with everyone the book that taught me (and Kit!) to knit. She was actually the one who recommended it to me. I had tried to teach myself from a different book with no luck a couple of years ago.

Stitch n' Bitch

The author also has a second knitting book, and I've just learned (as I was getting the link!) that she has a crocheting book too, that I reckon I might pick up!

The directions and drawings in this book are incredibly detailed and make it so easy to learn! The first project in there is a super-easy scarf using a very large gauge needle (I can't remember the exact size, though!) and extra-thick yarn. What does that mean? It means it's very easy to see each and every stitch you make and there are only ten stitches per row. The rest of the patterns seem nice too as you progress. I've only made the first two scarves, but am planning on taking on something a little more challenging soon!

Yaaaaay! Thanks to the very talented Mag and Hero, we have some fabulous new SPEW graphics!

Check em out!


Link: Hero 1


Link: Hero2


Link: Hero3


Link: Hero4


Link: Hero5


Link: Hero6

And... here is the code for Mag's nifty animated banners which link back to our very own club... just paste into your siggy...

#1 looks like this:


And #2 looks like this:


Sample siggy with link back to original SPEW thread:

Code::

[url=http://immeritus.org/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=3760][img]http://immeritus.org/thekennel/banners/spew.gif[/img][/url] or [url=http://immeritus.org/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=3760][img]http://immeritus.org/thekennel/banners/spew2.gif[/img][/url]

Finally, since Mag and Hero were kind enough to make these banners for us, let's make sure we use them in conformity with the Siggie Guidelines Mag has created!!!

Happy SPEWing!

Ooooo! Tree! The second site with the knitting help is brilliant! I just saw a video on how to retread your needles when you've had to rip out your stiches and that was exactly what I needed yesterday. Unfortunately, I was too impatient yesterday and ripped everything out and will have to start over again tonight. I'm also now going to have to leave the comp running while I'm knitting so I can go get help.

Thanks!

Tara, the Stitch 'n Bitch book is fantastic! I'm thinking about checking out the crochet one as well - I was actually very excited to see it show up -

And as a special tip to all you Americans (sorry, no Barnes and Noble stores outside the US) - I believe that the Stitch 'n Bitch books (at the very least the crochet one) are 30% off at any Barnes and Noble location.

As usual, Hero the Avatar Queen - those are darling!

*seque*

Another cool site for yarn was suggested to me by a nice person here a while back. It's Knit Picks.com. They sell yarns under their own label, which means it's cheaper for you. Orders over a certain dollar amount are shipped free, and their selection is pretty good. I've got some big fat needles on order, and am waiting with baited breath...

Knit Picks is actually the very yarn I am using to make John's scarf (my current project)

Specifically, I am using their "Ambrosia" yarn, which is a blend of baby alpaca and cashmere. It has an absolutely gorgeous hand and makes for an incredibly soft piece. The scarf I knit for my trip to Ife's was also out of Ambrosia. And the prices at knit picks are wonderful comparatively.

My next purchase from them is some of their self-striping sock yarn.

My mother in law taught me to knit a couple years ago because her daughters are not interested in learning. I of course was. Anything crafty and I want to learn. Anyway, I have only made scarves since I learned. I have been trying to figure out how I could go about learning to do anything other than scarves or more complicated stitches and also how to switch yarns properly. I have yet to make a striped scarf. I love knitting, so thanks for this thread. Hopefully It will help me get better with all the references you have provided. Yay!

I have one book to share with you all. I got it last Christmas from my MIL and has some great scarf patterns. I have yet to try them all (the striped ones and cables) but the ones I have done are pretty easy . The patterns are easy to follow. It is...
Knit Scarves: 16 Cool Patterns to Keep You Warm by Candi Jensen

My sister got a "Learn to Knit" kit from her MIL this Christmas and was unable to do it. She blames it on being left handed. She gave it to me to do for her. I actually just started it a few weeks ago. It is one of those fluffy skinny scarves. I would call it a mini boa. I haven't had much time to work on it lately, but it should be done soon and I will be ready for my next knitting project. I will definitely be checking out Knit Picks for my yarn!

Weasley, have your sister try the MIRROR method. She needs to hold a mirror up to all the diagrams in the book and copy that, which, having reversed everything will give her instant "left-hand" directions.

Or, she could try the continental method. It's pretty left-hand oriented anyway.

(all of this I stole from Amy at KSOS [knittinghelp.com])

*scratches long ears*

I am a leftie, and I could not get the continental method at all. I use the throw method, which gives you great control over the thread and the tension. Apparantly that's how my granny (also a leftie) knitted.

Best thing is, to try out what feels more natural. After believing I couldn't knit at all (because our school taught the continental method), as soon as my mum showed me the throw method, I took to it like fish to the water. So, do try out the various methods, and you will find one that you'll take to.

Also, once you are familiar with the basic stockinette stitch, working with other stitches is easy--once I understand how a stitch works in the 'right' way, I just kind of turn it around in my head...it nearly comes automatically.

Thanks, Tree and Winky.

I will send her the webpage and tell her about the different ways she can try. I really think she also needs to use a different yarn as well. She tried doing it with the flossy, frilly stuff for the fluffy scarfs. It is not easy to work with.

Thanks again.