I've decided I need to learn how to knit. (Yes, apparently I want yet another hobby to detract from my reading time.  Go figure.)  I want to make scarves, hats, and gloves primarily.  I live in Smallville, USA, so I don't have access to classes. I'm thinking on-line tutorials or books are the way to go. I got some recommendations over at Hoop City (where there are, surprisingly, a large number of knitters).  I've requested the book Stitch & Bitch from the library, and I think I'll see if that looks like it'll help.  I've also got a few website recommendations. Someone said their friend learned to knit solely from YouTube tutorials, but she didn't give me the specific vids that were used.

Anyone out there knit?  Did you learn on your own?  Do you have any recs for books or on-line tutorials?

Shelly, my dd volunteered at an Assisted Living Ctr. here and one of the ladies there gave lessons.  Maybe put up a notice your looking for an instructor in one of the facilities near you.   Just a thought.

Some of the U-Tube videos are very good. My DD wanted to learn and it had been so many years since I knitted that I had to review how to do some of the stitches beyond basic. I found the U Tube videos to be very good for this. There are some by an older woman that I found to be the most useful.

Start with casting on, then how to knit. You will want to practice knit many rows until you get the tension down and they look even. None of the videos I reviewed were more than a few minutes in length. DD did a scarf first and it turned out beautifully. But, she did about four practice pieces before I let her use the expensive yarn.

Have fun! I love to knit but no time right now :-)

I have a friend at work that buys the expensive yarn, mixes it with material, etc. She is artistic.  Her scarves are beautiful. She sells them for $$$$$ and they are worth it.

I learned in high school, way before the internet!!! I agree that you need to learn to cast on stitches and learn to judge your tension. Some of my Seniors that I work with knit kitchen scrubbers with the Wal-Mart type yarn. They look like pot holders, but are great for scrubbers when you might use a sponge. I throw them in the washer, dryer and use over again. When they are grubby, toss.

That is a good way to learn and useful  inexpensive gifts.

I AGREE WITH LETTY, FIND A SENIOR TO TEACH YOU.  THEN THEY CAN CHECK YOUR WORK AND GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS.

Mary

I knit and crochet Shelley. It's been quite a while since I've knitted though and when I learned it was through a knit shop. If you bought the yarn there, they would help you. You might want to check and see if you have a yarn shop anywhere near you and if they do that. I will tell you now that (socks) and gloves will be difficult for a beginner. Scarves should be the easiest!

Lol, yes, Jeanne, I plan to start with scarves and slowly work my way up the difficulty scale.  You obviously prefer crocheting to knitting.  I wish I knew the difference.  If you happen across any pics of a crocheted hat or scarf vs. a knitted hat or scarf, please let me know.

I also plan on starting with cheap-o yarn from Walmart or the drugstore. I have a feeling my first few projects will be throw-aways!  LOL!

Shelley, usually knitting is tighter/denser than crocheting, so it really is better for gloves and scarves, but I will look and see if I find anything that might interest you!

I must have been making those "Christmas Cookies" already this morning, b/c I can't seem to get anything straight. I MEANT gloves and SOCKS. Crocheting does well on scarves!

My mother taught me to knit and my grandmother tried to teach me to crochet; she was amazing (I can do just real basic stitches).  I agree with everyone who said find a senior to teach you...they are very skilled and usually have lots of patience.  Once you get the knitting and purling down pat Shelley, let me know.  I have a nice scarf pattern that is not too hard that I would be glad to share with you.  I taught it to lots of gals in my dorm at college and also youngest daughter.  It's a great "first piece" to try.

My dd learned from the lady I mentioned above.  I still have the scarf she made it is 2 inches wide and 8 feet long  I am not kidding. LOL

I do not knit, but I taught myself how to crochet from one of those beginner books.  I needed something to do after I finished my BA.  I make mostly scarves because they are easy.  Now I use it as a way to control the tremor in my hands.  For some reason it works and I love to be tremor free for awhile.

My DD learned how to knit AND crochet (I'm left/she's right) from ladies at church.  They had a night where the girls came and spent the evening with ladies who knitted/crocheted and learned basics.  She continues to do both, which I love, as she makes all my dish clothes.. :D  In the summer she also hangs out at the local yarn shop, where they have a knitting group on Tuesdays.  They have been WONDERFUL helping her learn different stitches or help her fix what she is doing wrong. 

I learned to knit as child but was never much for crocheting -- too many different stitches and tensions for those stitches, to get the right result.  I haven't knitted in years.  Sometimes I see someone knitting on the train, and think that I should make a set of scarves and hats to coordinate my various coats, totes, and gloves.  But I never have.

Shelley -- there are some recommendations for books and websites in this thread: http://www.paperbackswap.com/forum/topic.php?t=213448