Knitting for the Beginner

[AZReenactor]

Ok, after seeing all the wonderful yarns being offered by Mrs. Lawson this morning and needing some knitted items, I've finally decided that it is time I learned to knit myself. I've been looking through the forum and searching the net and found some great information but not much geared towards how best to move from being a non-knitter to a knitter. I know a great deal has already been said on this subject and will be adding links to some of the previous discussions I've found but thought this might be a good time to try and guide a few more people into developing this historic skill. That said here are a few of the questions I'm looking for answers to:

What guidance and resources can you experienced knitters suggest to those of us wishing to take up this noble art for the very first time?

What pitfalls in the way of modern practices vs. historic methods should we be careful to avoid as we learn this art?

What are the period tools of a knitter and where can they be acquired today?

What was the historic progression that learners followed in developing this skill? What projects do you recommend for the beginner?

Your insights and suggestions are most appreciated.

As Karin Timour stated last year, "I think the world would be a better place if everybody were knitting."

[Spinster]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Troy---You can also weave with this stuff. Now there's an undertaking....:D

What guidance and resources can you experienced knitters suggest to those of us wishing to take up this noble art for the very first time?

Find you a local yarn store dedicated to knitting and not much else. These are the folks who will know the various techniques and types of knitting. And, amazingly enough, the various styles of knitting produce the same knitted fabric when you are done. I teach both American style (right hand tensions yarn) and Continental style (left hand tensions yarn)--but I'm a pretty rare bird in that department. I always recommend Continental for new knitters (easier on the wrists over time), but the results are the same. Continental style is also faster for many folks--there is a reason that for so many years I've been "research and development" and Sister has been "production".

If you are a book-type learner and can do this from illustrations, there are plenty of good resources out there. Many folks have to be shown though, and that's where the local yarn store with lessons comes in. Some may teach both styles--if yours does not, then wander over to the Senior Center and find the ladies of German heritage---and they will have been taught Continental method.

Nosy 'American Style' knitters will try to help you with your efforts--and having never seen Continental, will pronounce your work upside down and backwards. It still produces the same fabric from the same patterns.


What pitfalls in the way of modern practices vs. historic methods should we be careful to avoid as we learn this art?

There were some historic methods to hold needles and hands in a way that was designed to show off your lovely graceful fingers, and what a fine pretty wife you'd make. That's really not an issue here, and the knitting method is slower. Modern patterns use larger yarns and larger needles--I start teaching students on US #5's and then step them down in yarn size and needle size as their skills increase.

Your greatest challenge, depending on your area of the country, is actually finding wool yarns---not stuff that looks like wool, but isn't, or stuff with a nylon binder in it. Then you'll have to make the decision between regular wool and 'superwash'--the stuff guaranteed not to shrink no matter how you mishandle it, but it has a funny feel to it in some cases, and the chemical process to make superwash may also reduce its ability to hold warmth. My own yarns go through so many hot rinses, one has to work hard to manage to ruin a finished sock in the washing machine.

What are the period tools of a knitter and where can they be acquired today?

Primarily good metal needles (usually double pointed). I believe Virginia Mesher carries them. She and Colleen Formby can hold forth better on the various lovely period extras, including knitting belts, knitting sheaths, point protectors , bell gauges and so forth.

The use of knitting belts and knitting sheaths is not seen often today. I use a knitting hook when I want to show off my ability to walk and knit at the same time. For a man of your age and social class, and after you learn, cultivating the art of supporting your long sharp fine needles with a belt or sheath would be a fine parlor trick. These tools were used in production knitting of stockings in the Irish countryside for the English trade.

What was the historic progression that learners followed in developing this skill? What projects do you recommend for the beginner?

Robin Stokes has published a fine copy of an early 19th century lesson book, meant for children who are learning how to knit that most important item--stockings. The lessons read in a 'rote' manner and are obviously meant to be memorized and spoken back in a piping child's voice.

Today, folks are somehow afraid of stockings because they look so complicated (they really are not) and because of the dreaded 'double point' needles. Personally, I use nothing but 'double points' anymore, and consider the skill something all my students should learn.

I start students off on straight needles with a knob on one end, about a size 5 and sport weight yarn. They knit a scarf, finish it, learn several stitches along the way, and then we send them home to make some more.

Once they can do a simple pattern without assistance, see and fix their own errors, they move on to hats. They start the hat on modern circular needles, but finish it on double points. Usually there is a fear factor here because someone has told them double points are hard. They make several hats in this manner--and often abandon the circular needles completely. They can also get lots of practice here---most knitting stores will have a simple pattern for baby caps for premies--and the hospital wants all the warm little caps they can get. They don't take much yarn, and the students gradually step down in yarn size and needle size as their comfort increases.

And then they are ready for socks. They already know the techniques, and the main thing becomes following the directions and not overthinking--thinking confuses a sock knitter, and does not allow the heel turn to magically appear from seemingly strange directions. :D

After a pair of stockings that match, I ususally consider the knitter to be 'ready for prime time'---they can branch out into lace knitting, shawls, sweaters and such.

Finally, if you are having trouble with knitting---lighten up. Most problems are caused by pulling the yarn too tightly, and I've actually seen students split wooden needles by knitting too tightly. If stitches are not moving easily from one needle to the next, you are working way too hard. Sit up straight, put both feet on the floor, pour you a small (SMALL!) glass of wine, and start again.

[Jennifer T Wisener]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

I still think of myself as a third year beginner, information from the wonderful folks here and on the yahoo group, cwneedleworkers are good scources.

I feel so lucky I found a fiber shop an hour from home. I have found the lady that owns the shop and spun, wove and knitted for sixteen years to be very interested in my presuit of traditional knitting and she gently encourages me to try new techiques and get out of my safety zone. Several local breeders of sheep, help with learning about wools and their uses. There is a kinship in fiber.

You can learn much from the internet, but I'm visual and when you hit those brick wall, such is nice to have someone walk you thru your mistakes.

Being I learned to crochet first, I'm a contenntial knitter not english, which I believe is more traditional. And might be if you are starting from scratch, will not have picked up the left brain thinking.:)

[Rev]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Man, I 'll second that about tight knitting. I learned to knit when I was a wee lad. My mother continually had to remind me not to tighten the yarn. Now, after many years of not knitting and picking it up again. I still do that. It makes it really hard.

[Spinster]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Brother Lawrence, we're going to remedy that problem down at Fort Gaines--at the same time we change the way you are purling slightly so it won't be so difficult. Your description of your knitting as a mixture of American and Continental is part of what is causing the difficulty.

A very small tot from the snake jug can also help, but I imagine I'd have to sneak it in on you.....

Now how you get Colonel Thomas to excuse you from drill is your business........

[Rev]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Now how you get Colonel Thomas to excuse you from drill is your business........

That will be really tough since I'm the new incoming Captain. Pray for me!

[Drygoods]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Mr. Groves,
I'd suggest a good visit to a local yarn shop and ask about classes, or see if they have DVDs that you can purchase. In this way, you can hear and watch and repeat as necessary. Yesterday I just bought my daughter a Klutz book for learning to knit which is written for the older teenager, complete with crochet and knitting needles, all wood, plus the yarn for four projects, cost was $25. You would think that she'd be patient just to watch her Momma knitting away, but oh no, she wants something to do all by herself in her little room.:p Knitting is a great talent, and plenty of men do this, in fact one LH fellow who plays the tuba? in a period band does knitting to relax and his wife sells the projects from her shop! Who knows, you might have started a new business for yourself making socks for your group! I hope so.:D At any rate, check out those LH folks who knit in your area plus visit the shops. A Merry Christmas to you.

[Becky Morgan]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

If you have broadband access:

http://www.knittinghelp.com

There are videos for just about every facet of knitting, albeit some are available only in "English". (I knit Continental-combined.) That way, when you meet these ladies at an event, they can help you with period techniques rather than having to teach you the manual of arms, er, needles.

[col90]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

What guidance and resources can you experienced knitters suggest to those of us wishing to take up this noble art for the very first time?

Find you a local yarn store dedicated to knitting and not much else. These are the folks who will know the various techniques and types of knitting. And, amazingly enough, the various styles of knitting produce the same knitted fabric when you are done. I teach both American style (right hand tensions yarn) and Continental style (left hand tensions yarn)--but I'm a pretty rare bird in that department. I always recommend Continental for new knitters (easier on the wrists over time), but the results are the same. Continental style is also faster for many folks--there is a reason that for so many years I've been "research and development" and Sister has been "production".

I'd agree on much of this, but I"d also say that if your impression is NOT of someone with the German ancestry, then you will want to learn English/American style, since that is what was recommended, and also what had been done in England, with a few exceptions, for many years. And I'm an American knitter, and can be pretty fast as well, although I will freely admit that the Continental style is more streamlined, and therefore truly somewhat faster.

[
What are the period tools of a knitter and where can they be acquired today?

Primarily good metal needles (usually double pointed). I believe Virginia Mesher carries them. She and Colleen Formby can hold forth better on the various lovely period extras, including knitting belts, knitting sheaths, point protectors , bell gauges and so forth.

The use of knitting belts and knitting sheaths is not seen often today. I use a knitting hook when I want to show off my ability to walk and knit at the same time. For a man of your age and social class, and after you learn, cultivating the art of supporting your long sharp fine needles with a belt or sheath would be a fine parlor trick. These tools were used in production knitting of stockings in the Irish countryside for the English trade.

Agreed..and I use my knitting apron (period pattern) to do the same thing! And since Terre mentioned me and Virginia, I"d say to go to www.raggedsoldier.com, click on needlework, novelties, and necessities, and you'll find my article dealing with many of the questions you're asking.

Finally, if you are having trouble with knitting---lighten up. Most problems are caused by pulling the yarn too tightly, and I've actually seen students split wooden needles by knitting too tightly. If stitches are not moving easily from one needle to the next, you are working way too hard. Sit up straight, put both feet on the floor, pour you a small (SMALL!) glass of wine, and start again.

Absolutely!!!...and I like the wine! Several years ago, Virginia and I found out that on New Year's eve, if you're doing a period project, the more champagne you have, the more sense the directions make!! :teeth_smi

Colleen

[MissMaggie]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

"the more champagne you have, the more sense the directions make!!

Colleen"


That, Colleen, is an amazingly helpful piece of information to know!! I wonder if they'll allow wine at school if its to help me understand my homework??

[amity]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

I am not much of a knitter, just enough to knit a scarf, really, but I learned to knit and purl in a very few minutes while living overseas. An older woman sat behind me and held my hands, guiding them to make the correct movements. Other than that I just watched other women knit to learn the techniques. I could never learn something like that from a book.

Something I read about very recently is how new of a technique knitting really is. It seems the very oldest samples only go back to the 14th century, and an older technique that was frequently mistaken for knitting, called nalbinding, actually survived until 18th century at least. This technique uses a needle and short lengths of yarn to form interlaced loops. The result looks quite a bit like very dense knitting, enough so to have fooled anthropologists for a long time. Has anyone heard of nalbinding being used during civil war? Perhaps among the German community?

http://www.cs.vassar.edu/~capriest/nalebind.html

[col90]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

"the more champagne you have, the more sense the directions make!!

Colleen"


That, Colleen, is an amazingly helpful piece of information to know!! I wonder if they'll allow wine at school if its to help me understand my homework??

Only if it's a Victorian craft that says "finish in the usual manner"!! :-)

Colleen

[col90]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

I am not much of a knitter, just enough to knit a scarf, really, but I learned to knit and purl in a very few minutes while living overseas. An older woman sat behind me and held my hands, guiding them to make the correct movements. Other than that I just watched other women knit to learn the techniques. I could never learn something like that from a book.

There is a great art image from the CW period that shows just that...I've seen this image in a couple of period magazine articles, and as a filler CDV as well.



Colleen

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Troy, thanks for starting this thread, as I've often wished to learn this same skill, and my normal "male sensitivities" have precluding me from enquiring about it. I am blessed to have a close friend or two who I'm sure I can sit down with some time, and I will now do something about it. I guess I shouldn't be so into the stigma of "woman's work", since I've had to sew gowns for my son, and I've been learning emroidery as of late, so what's one more practical skill!

[Becky Morgan]

Re: Knitting for the Beginner

Only if it's a Victorian craft that says "finish in the usual manner"!! :-)

Colleen

That's when you need the sign for your knitting chair that says "Bang Head Here." Finishing techniques were one of those things people forgot to write down because surely EVERYONE knew that. Maybe they did at the time, but 150 years later it does lead to frustration, squinting at pictures of old objects you can't go and handle, and fervent wishing for a time machine so you could go back and yell "How? Just HOW?"

By the way, this may be preaching to the choir, but take pity on succeeding generations. Write down all those tiny details we only wish we had from 1861-65. In a written pattern, describe exactly how you intended to finish it. Join the Committee to Prevent Future Farbism :D

I'm always surprised when someone on one of the knitting forums asks "When I have all the stitches bound off, what do I do to keep the last one from unraveling?" or "I got one row done, and now it says to turn the work. What does that mean?" It should be obvious, but it isn't if you're new to the craft. Would that the Victorian teachers had thought to explain the obvious. Some techniques are unlikely to have changed over the years, but a vague blanket statement like "finish in the usual manner" leaves a whole lot open to guesswork.