Can you guess what I learned how to do while Ethan was on break? I can hardly believe it, but I can knit now! For our sixth day of spring break, we headed over to my friend Jessica’s for a “knitting playgroup,” where she taught a group of us how to knit while our kids played. I never would believe in a million years that I could do something like this, but here is some picture proof that I am getting the hang of it. After struggling through her class, I came home and just kept trying and trying. Thanks to a patient teacher and great first lesson, here is how I am doing.
I realize it isn’t perfect, but this is my first try and I am so proud. Does anyone have any tips for a newbie knitter? How to save money on knitting? What are the best first projects? What is the best size knitting needles? You know, stuff you wish you would have known when you first started out! I would appreciate your help!
The kids also had a great time playing with the other kids while we gabbed and Jessica helped each of us with our little knitting projects. Total cost spent on this event was $1.69 for yarn (I borrowed a set of her needles).
We spent the evening at my brother’s birthday party. What kids don’t love a good birthday party? He turned 22 and we headed to his house for a celebration. Mom & Dad got pizza and I made two homemade Key Lime Pies for his special day. Despite the lime shortage at the grocery store, they turned out to be really yummy, although a little thinner on the filling than I had hoped! I spent about $4 on ingredients (everything else came from our pantry). Happy birthday, John!
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13 Responses to “Spring Break Day Six”
One GREAT way to save money on knitting is to “recycle” the yarn from old sweaters and blankets that you aren’t using anymore and knit them up into something fun and usable. Even the scraps of yarn can be knitted into dish cloths and scrubbies. The $1 bin at a thrift store can yield some great yarn plus it’s fun to unravel with your little guy.
There are tons of free patterns all over the web plus a ton of picture tutorials, so all you need is a set of needles in all sizes (since you’ll have to learn about guage next!) You can buy them in lots on eBay for just a few dollars (another place to buy up yarn in bulk as people get rid of their stash!)
Hope that helps! Good luck!
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Valeria- That is JUST the kind of information I am looking for. Thank you so much!
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Hi Amy! I’m usually very frugal, but I have found that buying **cheap** (as opposed to inexpensive) materials for crafting purposes really diminishes the finished value of the craft. For instance, you can get bargain bin fabric, work for hours sewing a garment, and then have the fabric fade and fall apart the second and third time you wear it. However, if you buy a higher quality fabric on sale, or with a coupon, you spend the same amount of time, and yield a higher quality garment which lasts longer and looks much nicer. The same goes for yarn. Acrylic yarn has come a long way in the last few years, but sometimes it is nice to use a high quality yarn for a very nice project. Just my 2 cents.
Oh, and something I read once, look at the yarn as entertainment. It takes you X amount of time to make the item, so your entertainment is really pennies an hour! 
A great website for knitting help is knittinghelp.com. Lots of videos to help you get the hang of knitting. Have fun knitting! I love to knit, can you tell?
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Oh, I was also going to say, I hardly ever, ever buy a pattern. I get them online (from good sources–you have to be able to trust the website because the last thing you want to do is go to all the work of making something and have there be a huge error in the pattern). Knitty.com is one site.
My other source for knitting patterns is the library. All the cool knitting books? I check them out from my library! Rarely is there more than one pattern I like in a book! So I don’t waste $25 on a book, I just borrow it!
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Oh, now that is great information too! Thank you SO much, Tammy! This is all news to me so I appreciate anything anyone can share!
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I just started knitting a few months ago. I got a great book as a gift for Christmas, but actually, I’ve found watching videos on the web to be just as helpful, if not more so.
My favorite site is Khttp://www.knittinghelp.com/
Also, I agree with others about getting higher quality yarn. A good way to use those Michael’s 40% off one item coupons!
Also, wooden needles are nice, but I also like the way the metal slides and clicks. I have a pair of size 8 and size 10, I think.
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HI Amy, I’ve been knitting for about a year now and I’ve found that the wood needles are better for me because the yarn doesn’t slip off and on metal needles I was always dropping stitches. When I first started the ladies teaching me told me not to start with scarves, but to do a hat or small sweater first. Otherwise you’ll only do scarves. YOu can get great patterns online and if you find a knitting group in your area borrowing good patterns from other people is a great way to start (they can help you if you have a problem) Good luck and have fun!
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LOVE the pic of you and your little brother. Happy belated birthday to him!
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Happy Birthday to your brother! The key lime pie sounds so yummy!
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knittinghelp.com also shows you how to make your own wooden needles using dowels. Much cheaper!
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Check out Ravelry. It is a knitting social networking site. You can find links to free patterns, tutorials, advice on frugal knitting. (www.ravelry.com)
Definately check thrift stores for yarn and recycling sweaters. It can be hard work, but addictive for sure.
I have found that a US 6,7,8 works for most projects (if you invest in circulars, you can knit straight or in the round for sweaters).
Definately check the library. Great resources there. Elizabeth Zimmermann is a huge inspiration for my knitting. Congratulations on learning to knit!!!
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I prefer bamboo needles for sure. The metal ones are for speed, and so the yarn slips off very easily.
The size depends alot on the size of your yarn. Bulky yarn needs bigger needles (like 13). If you use big yarn and big needles you can complete projects quickly. If you use big needles like that on finer yarns, you’ll get gaps. That can be cool too, if you are looking for that effect.
I would invest in a good knitters’ reference, it will lay out all kind of stitches, tips, lace work, projects, etc.
You can probably find one used.
I started with scarves and washcloths to learn different stitches and pattern reading. A fitted garment is a little trickier and time consuming.
Plus, these kind of things are quick and make nice gifts.
There used to be a fun show on DIY called Knitty Gritty, they use a knitty cam for a good view. We got rid of cable so I’m not sure if it’s still on.
Welcome to the wonderful world of knitting.
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Knittinghelp.com is the best. Also, watch knitty gritty on diy (be sure to record it, though!) When I was just starting out, it was really fun to get cheaper Chunky yarn (Jiffy) and some size 15 needles and whip up some scarves. It’s great practice and almost instant satisfaction. When you get better, though, you won’t want to use the cheaper yarn because there isn’t any sense in spending all that time to make something that you can get cheaper at the Walmart store. These days, I love going over to the Alpaca Yarn store over at the Farmers Market. The knitting blogs are really great, too. Thats wear I get most of my ideas and patterns.
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