Learning How to Knit & Patterns

I really like Ysolda’s tutorials (for cast ons, the Long Tail is the most versatile). I have been making a bunch of her Swatchless Hats recently, which are really great because you can just cast on and go, and then decide how many stitches you need once you have a bit done.

Purl Soho also has a ton of really great tutorials and free patterns. For beginners, I like the Lovely Ribbed Hat, Classic Cuffed Hat, or the Bandana Cowl.

Tin Can Knits also has a great selection of free patterns and are size-inclusive.

Ravelry is a vast resource of patterns, yarns, people — almost everything you need for knitting, except for the fact that it now gives me a headache if I look at it for too long. If it doesn’t bother you, sign up for an account and take a look around. The best part is the filters on the pattern search so you can get exactly what you want.

Other patterns that might be good for beginners: Hitchhiker, Easypeasy Bandana, or the Sunday Morning Wrap.

Needles

Everyone’s mileage varies here, but I’ll talk about what I use and you can either agree with me or not. I always use circular needles rather than straight needles because they’re more comfortable for me to knit with. Generally, needles are either made of wood (bamboo, birch, or other) or metal. Folks generally recommend metal needles if you’re a really tight knitter because they will slide off the needles more easily — but what this also means is that they’ll slide off the needles more easily. I typically use wooden needles (they actually help me to not be such a tight knitter) unless I’m knitting something really tiny in which case I use metal.

I have a two sets of interchangeable wooden needles: Knitter’s Pride and Lykke. My metal needles are all Chiaogoo.

Also, here’s some excellent knitting advice about needles and gauge.

Yarn

Again, everyone’s mileage varies here and I am absolutely never a judger of yarn that people use. Personally, I don’t like knitting with cotton (too hard on the hands) or acrylic (kind of…sticky, if that makes sense?) and I tend to knit with yarn that’s 50%+ wool. My favorite types of wool to knit with are Bluefaced Leicester, Polwarth, and Rambouillet, but I also have a ton of Merino because it’s classic and consistent.

There are different yarn weights (thicknesses), which along with the yarn content will each result in a different fabric. For first projects, I’d recommend something in the Sport - DK - Worsted range, because it’s thick enough that your projects go fast but not at the “bulky” stage yet.

Knit Picks has a lot of well-priced yarn that’s consistent and great for beginners (Swish or Gloss DK are good). If you want to feel a little fancier, one of my favorite yarn dyers is Malabrigo (try Rios). If you want to get even fancier, three of my favorite indie dyers are Little Skein, La Bien Aimée, and The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers.