Hello! I'm a student at the University of Sheffield and want to try knitting to keep me entertained on the long nights of avoiding essays!
I'd like to knit myself a scarf, as that seems sensibly easy and would like some advice. I know some basic knitting but only as remembered from my mother teaching me when I was very little so I need a simple pattern but something more interesting than just plain garter stitch. I'd like quite a chunky scarf so would appreciate a recommendation of a wool to match a suitable pattern.
Thank you for any help!
Helen

Hi Helen,

There are tons of free patterns online for everything and anything you want to make! Also many webpages devoted to teaching you how to knit etc, including videos.

This website is a good place to start to find a pattern you like clicky (http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/scarves.php)

If you go here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=98114) you will find tons of links to helpful websites, which Hecate has put together for us.

I'll have a quick look see what I can find in the chunky easy scarf range :) one of my favourites too as it knits up so quickly!

Just found the pattern I followed for my first ever scarf, it's an easy rib K2 P2 pattern here (http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/scarfribbed.htm), which I found a good way of getting me into counting and concentrating on what I was doing! I'd go to a yarn shop such as John Lewis's and see what types of yarn you like, check out the labels as they will tell you what size needles to use with them etc, for chunky i'd go for at least a size 6mm and upwards.

Hi Helen, and welcome to the knitting group :wave: .

If you need any reminders on the knitting basics, this (http://www.knittinghelp.com/) site is an excellent place to start. The videos are free and you can either watch them online or download them to your PC to watch at your leisure.

If you're after a book, the first Stich n Bitch by Debbie Stoller is the one I'd recommend. The Debbie Bliss book 'How to Knit' is also a good reference for the basics.

If you want a kit which includes the yarn, needles and instructions, these (http://www.johnlewis.com/Home+and+Garden/Laundry+Room/Laundry+Room/+Knitting+Kits/1780/230401696/Product.aspx) are new. Rowan (http://www.mcadirect.com/shop/index.php/cPath/23_49) also do similar kits. I'd be tempted to take beansforyou's advice though and use a free pattern, pick your yarn and buy the appropriate needles; it'll work out much cheaper.

If you want to follow the pattern beansforyou suggested exactly, the US size 13 needles are 9 mm. Given that gauge isn't too much of a problem for scarves, you'd be able to use anything from 8.5 - 9.5 mm (maybe even 8 -10 mm) with the appropriate yarn and not end up with a scarf which is massively bigger or smaller than the pattern intends.

Thanks very much to both for your help, I'll have a look around for some scarf patterns and then get down to John Lewis!!

You really don't need a pattern for a scarf. Just cast on until you think it looks wide enough and knit untl the yarn runs out, or you can't stand it any longer.

John Lewis does free knitting classes, and Jill's shop at Hunter's Bar has classes too, which is easier than using a book, at least for me. (I'm left handed, and found the pictures too hard to reverse in my head.) :loopy:

I reckon as well that you don't want needles larger than 6mm as a beginner, the thicker yarn grows quicker, but the large needles can be hard to handle at first.

Hope this is useful.

Oh yes, definitely go to a class if you can. I agree too that the very thick needles can be a bit tricky to handle at first.