I’ve been crocheting and knitting for a few years and wanted to compile a list of some things I might have found helpful when I first started out as a beginner. Here’s eight tips I’d love to share with you!
- You don’t have to spend a lot of money!
It may seem like you have to invest in lots of equipment from fancy needles to 100% wool skeins and all the different accessories, but it’s not necessary when you’re just starting out! All you need is a cheap ball of yarn and a basic pair of knitting needles/a crochet hook. You can pick these up from all sorts of places, even pound shops! Have a look online or your local haberdashery – it’s great to support small businesses!
Once you’ve got going, you can decide whether or not you want to upgrade to more expensive materials or not. Also, if you need stitch markers and don’t want to spend money on them you can use makeshift ones, from safety pins to just a small piece of scrap yarn.
- Yarn thickness for beginners.
I would advise when first learning to knit that you use a chunkier weight yarn, it’s a bit less fiddly and you can easily see the stitches. I also think it’s best to use a mid to light shade of yarn too, so pick a nice bright or pastel colour that you like. Check the yarn label and it will tell what type of needles to use with it – for example in the picture attached, they suggest 8mm knitting needles.
On the other hand, for crochet I suggest using a standard DK (double knit) yarn, again in a mid to light colour.
- Everybody learns differently – find what works best for you!
There’s so many resources out there for learning both crochet and knitting, whether you’re a visual learner or auditory, reading or kinaesthetic, you can find the right way for you. Perhaps you’re like me and find videos helpful, there’s plenty of useful ones on YouTube for every stitch you could think of. There’s also lots of diagrams and technical descriptions to be found online and in books – some of my favourites when first starting out are pictured below! If you would prefer learning in person, maybe there are knitting circles that you can join in your area.
Check out my next blog post coming up soon where I’ll be showing a few basics!
- Google is a great resource!
If you’re looking for patterns or tutorials, there’s thousands just a click away! If you don’t know what abbreviations mean in a pattern, it’s super quick to find out. You can learn anything about knitting and crochet, from the very basics to advanced stitches, just by doing a quick search.
- There is no one ‘right’ way.
Fibre art is all about being creative and having fun, so you don’t have to do it the same as other people. As long as you enjoy your work and your creations, that’s what matters!
6. Find projects that inspire you!
Learning is a breeze if you’re having fun! You’ll be more invested in your creativity if you’re enjoying it. So seek out something you like the look of, whether it’s a quick project like a little teddy bear, or a time consuming but rewarding cardigan. Knitting and crochet shouldn’t feel like a chore, so find what suits you! Maybe you like a challenge and to change it up, or something a bit more repetitive and therapeutic.
- Project kits
You can find project kits all over the place in shops and online, and they have everything you need in one place – these can be a great first make and are a great gift for your creative friends. It’s also a great way to get youngsters started! I’m currently in the process of creating my own kits for beginners to get started – complete with yarn, stuffing, pattern and relevant equipment such as hooks, yarn needles and stitch markers.
- Be patient with yourself!
Trying something new is always difficult to get the hang of but try not to get frustrated – you’re bound to make mistakes at first but don’t be disheartened, you’re not the only one! It’s only natural to drop stitches while first getting to grips with fibre art but the more mistakes you make, the more you learn.
I hope you found these tips insightful when starting your fibre art journey, feel free to contact me if you have any questions. You can also DM me on Instagram @yorkshireknitter!
Watch this space for more blog posts, I’ll be discussing some beginner techniques and some of my favourite products if you’re looking for recommendations.
Also, stay tuned for upcoming patterns and project kits!