Hi knitters :wave:

I'm contemplating trying knitting again after giving it up about 15 years ago :o

I thought i'd try to knit myself a scarf :D

however, my entire repertoire has so far considered of 'knit' and 'knit'.. I was taught to purl long ago and i think i could get the hang of it again... is it like knit but going the other way through the hole?

I can't stand wool (it makes me itch!) so what would you recommend i start with?

also, is it knit a row purl a row? or knit a stitch purl a stitch???

i really am a novice at this!!!

Hi em, welcome to the group :wave: .

There are three things you really want to do if you're starting knitting again:

1. Get yourself a copy of a good beginner's knitting book. I'd highly recommend the first Stitch n Bitch book by Debbie Stoller, and 'How to Knit' by Debbie Bliss. If you want just one, go for 'Stitch n Bitch'.

2. Have a look at Knitting Help (http://www.knittinghelp.com/) and download some of the instructional videos. She covers all the basics, and the videos are really clear.

3. Get someone to show you the basics, if you possibly can. The videos are excellent, but if you do still get stuck, there's no substitute for having someone there to show you exactly what you've done wrong and how to put it right.

Watching the purl stitch being made is a hell of a lot easier than explaining it in words. This (http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/purl.php) will give you the details.

100% wool sometimes makes me itch too. There are a massive array of different fibres you coulf try: merino wool is lovely and soft, especially in a 50% wool 50% silk mix. Acrylic yarns do get a bad press, but if you have a look at some of the Paton and Sirdar ranges, some of them are really quite nice these days, especially if it's in a mix with another fibre. Avoid anything with mohair!

Go to Coles and fondle some yarn. See what takes your fancy. It's the best way to go about it.

It's difficult to recommend a yarn until you have a pattern in mind. What I can recommend is a yarn weight. Yarns come in various thicknesses (from the thinnest lace weight to the thickest super-chunky). A good yarn for beginners (or revivalists :)) to use is aran weight. For now, avoid anything which says 'DK' or '4 ply', because both are rather thin, and thicker is easier to handle.

Knit a row, purl a row will give you stocking stitch (you'll see it called 'stockinette stitch' on American sites), which looks like this (http://www.ozeyarn.com/images/silkribbonstst.jpg). It's not really suitable for scarves though, as i) it tends to curl inwards at the edges and ii) the back (http://lanagrossa.com/service/stricktipps/images/matratzenstich_032003f.jpg) looks different to the front. You can add a border to it, which prevents the curling, but it still looks a bit dull for a scarf - not much texture.

For a beginner's scarf, you really need to use garter stitch, where each row is knit, and the interest comes not from the stitches you use, but the colour and texture of the yarn. Garter stitch is more knobbly and textural than stocking stitch too. You might find this (http://knitting.about.com/library/weekly/aa092203.htm) site useful for making a choice about a pattern. Alternatively, google for 'garter stitch scarf' and you'll turn up loads, many from various knitters' blog sites.

When you've got an idea for a scarf, report back and we'll talk more about yarn.

Oops, looks like I've got carried away with the typing again :hihi: .

:shocked: Ta Hecate :D

wow thats a lot...

my mum, grandma and mum-in-law all knit so i guess i'm off to them for advice...

I seem to remember having problems casting on and off again.. and doing anything that doesn't involve straight lines.... ie i can't shape things... :(

i guess i have a lot to learn :D

oo any hints for preventing cats killing wool/yarn as you knit???

If you get itchy you could use cotton blends instead of wool- that's usually nice on the skin.

If you're having problems of a furry nature then I used to find that knitting yarn off a cone (rather than a ball) meant that you had less loose and attracting attention from paws. The downside is that you have to get that in bulk from knitting machine wool suppliers.

And if you're stuck for a practical person, feel free to ask- I'm not as able as I used to be, but I'm still able enough.

Thanks Medusa :D

I might have ot go for a cotton blend as i can't wear wool at all... i used to love aran too :(

I have the first Stitch and Bitch book if you'd like to borrow it Em - I brought it with intention of teaching myself to knit but found it impossible without someone about to show me where I was going wrong!

Of course if your mum teaches you, then you could teach me :banana:

...oo any hints for preventing cats killing wool/yarn as you knit???
Yes, keep the furry little buggers in another room while you knit :hihi: .

Alternatively, try to use centre-pull balls, so that the yarn doesn't run away when you pull on it. Or, stick the ball in a one of those sandwich bags with the resealable tops. Leave it open a bit for the yarn to poke through. you're always going to have some dangly bits though. If you don't have enough loose yarn between the ball and your needles, you'll end up having problems with too tight tension/gauge.

Thanks Medusa :D

I might have ot go for a cotton blend as i can't wear wool at all... i used to love aran too :(
'Aran' just refers to the weight of the yarn (in this context) or to a particular stitch pattern (the cables and bobles etc). You can do aran jumpers and the like in a chunkyish cotton/cotton blend.

Are you actually allergic to wool, or is it just an irritation thing with the more scratchy of wools/wool blends?

Thanks for that :D i'll have to have a try... I guess i'm safe until the kitties figure out how to open doors ;)

oo and Tracie.. maybe we should all gather with my mum and learn together :D the book would be useful if i can borrow it :D

'Aran' just refers to the weight of the yarn (in this context) or to a particular stitch pattern (the cables and bobles etc). You can do aran jumpers and the like in a chunkyish cotton/cotton blend.

Are you actually allergic to wool, or is it just an irritation thing with the more scratchy of wools/wool blends?

oo cool, i'll have to learn how to do heavy cotton eventually :D

I think i'm allergic to it... its not a scratchy thing, its a complete irritations for days thing... :(

i am acquiring allergies by the month at the mo :(

There's the Rowan ladies and John Lewis who do free lessons on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Saturdays. Go to the haberdashery dept and book yourself a place. Jill's shop The Wool Baa also does classes. Both stores have loads of wool- free knitting yarn. I love Rowan's Calmer and Summer Tweed, Collinnette Lasso and RYC's silk aran are all wool free, and cheaper yarn like Sirdar Country Style will be ok too. Some people with wool allergies can wear alpaca.

Hope this is helpful. :)