The main reason people get interested in knitting is that they like all the yarns that are available to play with.

If you're new to knitting, you might not be having a love affair with fiber yet, and that's OK. In fact, it's probably better. You don't want to be spending $20 a skein on yarn for your first project.

I won't say cheaper is better when it comes to yarn for your first project, because cheap yarns are often scratchy and uncomfortable to work with and to wear.

Choosing yarn for your first project will depend on the project. So the first step should be picking a project, so you can answer the following questions:

What weight of yarn do you need?
How much yarn do you need?
Do you need a basic yarn or a novelty yarn?
Is there a particular fiber you want to use? You don't have to pick what was used in the pattern, but as a beginner that is often helpful because you can compare your finished project to the picture with the pattern more easily.

Choosing Your Yarn

Armed with an idea of what you need for your project, visit your local crafts shop or yarn store and let your fingers do the walking.

Touch the different yarns that fit your needs. Pick something that looks good and feels good, something that will make you smile when you work with it and wear it.

A Knitting Journal

Most knitters will tell you record-keeping is essential, and that they don't do it. Do as we say, not as we do, and start a knitting journal with your first project.

It doesn't have to be fancy; just a spiral notebook will do. Write down the basic information about each project you do, such as:

What the project was
Where you got the pattern
What needles you used (size, material, brand, where you bought them)
What yarn you used (brand, type, color, material, where you bought it)
Any problems you had with the pattern
Anything you learned from the project
A picture of the finished project and a sample of the yarn, if available
Notes on how you liked the yarn, needles and pattern

Tools for Beginning Knitters

When you first get started as a knitter, it can be tempting to go wild in the knitting store, buying all sorts of fancy yarn and beautiful needles.

It makes sense, however, to buy only a few supplies when you're first getting started knitting. First, you don't know if you'll like knitting, so, second, you shouldn't spend a lot of money on things you don't know if you'll use.

The good news is, you don't need a lot of expensive supplies or fancy yarns to make your first knitting projects. In fact, you could probably buy everything you need at a discount store and not even visit a crafts store or yarn shop (though you will find higher-quality items at a crafts store).

So, what do you need to get started?

Yarn
Needles
A pair of scissors
A sewing needle
A crochet hook

Choosing a Knitting Bag

What makes the perfect knitting bag is different for every knitter. Someone who exclusively knits socks and small projects is going to want something completely different from someone who knits sweaters or afghans.

The point of having a knitting bag is that it makes your project more portable. It should allow you to hold everything you need for the project you are working on, as well as a few extras.
What Goes in a Knitting Bag?

Before you go shopping for a knitting bag, you'll need to consider the projects you make most often. If you range between large and small projects, you might want to buy or make both large and small bags.

At the very least, your knitting bag should have room for the following:

Your project in various stages of completion, along with the needles it is on.
The yarn you are currently using for your project.
An extra ball of yarn in case you do a lot of knitting away from home.
Any additional needles you need to complete your project.
The pattern you are working on.
Scissors, a yarn needle, stitch holders, and any other small supplies you might need for your project.
Lotion or balm for your hands.

You might also want to include an extra pair of needles and a little ball of yarn if you're a knitting evangelist and like to be able to teach other people to knit when the spot you knitting in public.

Some knitting bags claim to double as a purse. If that's something you're interested in, check the dimensions to make sure all your knitting gear and your necessary purse stuff will fit inside.

Nashlah Boyayan invites you to visit for wonderful knitting patterns.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 9:14 am and is filed under Arts and Crafts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.