Zen Knitting

There are alot of great beginner books out there and alot of nifty knitting tools too. The second link will tell you what a beginner should have. You can get a knitting needle sizer at any local yarn shops or Walmart, Hobby Lobby or Mary Maxiums. Please the talented ladies and gentlemen of these places can help you as well. Also alot of the circular needles will tell you the size on the needle part. Hope this all helps!

Knitting Abbreviations (from http://www.knitknitting.com)
Don’t let knitting patterns confuse you! Here is a list of basic knitting terms and abbreviations.

beg beginning
CC Contrasting Color
dec decrease
dp double pointed needles
ea each
” or in inch
inc increase
incl inclusive
K knit
K1b or K1-b knit one through back loop
Kwise or K-wise knitwise, as though to knit
LH left hand
lp loop
M1 make one stitch: work into back of horizontal st lying before next st to create an extra st in row
MC main color
O yarn over (see also YO)
oz ounce
P purl
P1b or P1-b Purl one through back loop
pat pattern
psso pass slipped stitch over
p2sso pas 2 slipped sts over
Pwise or P-wise Purlwise, or as though to purl
rem remaining
rep repeat
RH right hand
rib ribbing stitch, work in ribbing as established
rnd round
sl slip, usually slip one stitch
sl st slip stitch
sl-K slip stitch knitwise
sl-P slip 1 stitch purlwise
sp space
SKP slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knit st
st stitch
St st Stockinette st (knit 1 row, purl 1 row)
tbl through back loop
tog together
wyib with yarn in back
wyif with yarn in front
yo yarn over (can also be yarn forward)
x times – 3x would mean three times
* (asterisk) Repeat the instructions following the asterisk as many times as specified.
( ) parentheses. As in a math problem the instructions within the parentheses become one unit. (k,p)3x would mean to work a knit st, work a purl st, and then repeat that 3 times.

I would suggest you get a beginning knitting book and try something simple, like a scarf for instance. The book will show you how to do the increasing and decreasing, binding off, etc. There are also little pattern booklets that just show differernt patterns like cableing for instance, for when you get to learn how to follow a pattern. When you make something, you have to be able to have the correct gauge or your sweater or whatever will not be the correct size. You usually try the size needles they tell you to use and knit a few rows in the pattern they call for and then you measure the rows and stitches to match up. (When you are just starting out, you’ll probably want to try the stockinette stitch, knit 1 row and purl the next row and keep repeating.) If your work is too small, you try a larger needle or if too large, you try a smaller needle until you get the measurement exact. They sell a gizmo at the stitchery store with holes in it. You stick your circular needle in the proper hole and it will tell you what size it is. As I said, get a book or go online and you’ll find free knitting instructions-just google it. I hope this helps.

When they tell you to measure, you are checking the gauge of the pattern. At the start of the pattern, it will say for instance,
12 stitches= 2″ 19 rows= 2″ in stockinette stitch.
Use size 8 needles or size to obtain Gauge.
What you would do is knit a test square, 4″ x 4″ or 24 stitches across and 39 rows, alternating 1 row knit, one row purl, and then bind off. Lay your work flat and measure how many stitches across equal 2 inches, and how many rows up equal 2 inches. You can use a ruler or a stitch gauge. (A stitch gauge is a small measuring tool, retangular in shape, that has a small cut out that lets you measure across and up at the same time) If you have too many or not enough stitches, you would switch to larger or smaller needles, and redo your test swatch, untill you have your gauge. Not all patterns will give you a row count. While you are working your pattern, you should stop every few rows and check your gauge at various intervals along the item, to make sure your item dosen’t come out lop-sided.

At a craft store, yarn shop, or even Walmart, you can purchase a stitch gauge and a row counter. Some stitch gauges also have holes on them for sizing needles. I also recommend you get a simple “Learning to Knit” booklet. (I have a good one by the Susan Bates company). Look for one that illustrates the steps to certain techniques, gives you illustrations or pictures of basic knitting tools, and a glossary of knitting terms and abbreviations.

Also, a lot of Yarn Shops have people willing to help you with any questions you may have about knitting. They could also put you in touch with a knitting group/circle that you could join. Most people who knit are more than happy to pass on the skill.

Check out this web site, http://www.knittingonthenet.com. They have a lot of information, including a glossary of knitting terms, patterns and help for the beginning knitter.

Don’t get discouraged. I was like you. My grandmother taught me how to cast on and how to knit and purl, but not about gauge, how to read a pattern, or anything else. I self taught the rest from reading books and manuals.

Siince you can do a rectangle, here is a simple dish cloth pattern to start you off.

Materials: 100% Cotton Worsted Weight Yarn-80 yards (Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, Lion Cotton, Sugar n’ Cream),
Straight knitting needles, size 7, or size needed for gauge.
Gauge: In stockinette stitch, 5 stitches=1″
(For this pattern, I wouldn’t worry to much about meeting the gauge the first time, but I would check how many stitches you get in an inch and practice maintaining your gauge)
Abbreviations:
K=knit
P=purl
st or sts=stitch, stitches

Stitch instructions in parentheses () are to be repeated as instructed.

Cast on 47 stitches.
Rows 1-6: Knit across
Row 7: K 7, P 1, (K 3, P 1) across to last 7 sts, K 7
Row 8: [This is the right side] Knit across
Row 9: K 7, P 1, (K 3, P 1) across to last 7 sts, K 7
Row 10: Knit across
Row 11: K 5, P 1, (K 3, P 1) across to last 5 sts, K 5
Row 12: Knit across
Row 13: K 5, P 1, (K 3, P 1) across to last 5 sts, K 5
Row 14: Knit across

Repeat rows 7-14 until dishcloth measures approxamately 8 inches from your cast on edge, ending on either row 9 or 13. (This means that the last row you worked was either 9 or 13.)

Last 6 rows: Knit across
Bind of all stitches in knit.

I hope this all helps you, happy knitting! If you want someone to talk knitting with, please feel free to email me.