Knitting Pathfinder

Photo courtesy of www.beginnersknitting.com

Introduction:

This pathfinder is designed to help beginning knitters find resources that they can use to learn the basics of knitting and find patterns and projects to work on in a variety of places, including the Internet, their local libraries, and even local grocery and craft stores.

Print Resources:

There are many books and magazines that provide guidance for beginning knitters and include patterns and projects that you can use to learn, perfect, and expand your knitting capabilities. 

If you want to scan the stacks at your local library, knitting is classified in the Dewey Decimal System in non-fiction under 746.432. If your library uses the Library of Congress classification scheme, you will want to go to where the TT 820 books are shelved.

Useful resources that you might want to look at include:

1. Bliss, Debbie. Tips for Knitters: Stitches and Seams to Finishing Touches. North Pomfret: Trafalgar Square Books, 2009.

• This book covers preliminary matters such as types and selection of yarn, the different types of equipment used in knitting, and how to read and understand patterns.
• Illustrated instructions are provided on how to perform basic and advanced knitting techniques.
• The author provides useful tips, also illustrated, on how to correct mistakes in your knitting, seaming, and color knitting.
• The book provides instructions how to add finishing touches to your knitting, including embroidery, beading, and buttons.

2. Carles, Julie and Jordana Jacobs. The Yarn Girls' Guide to Beyond the Basics. New York: Potter Craft, 2005.

• The book begins by providing an illustrated guide to the basic knitting techniques, as well as some more advanced and finishing techniques. 
• The bulk of the book is dedicated to patterns for projects including sweaters, scarves, blankets, and hats.

3. Creative Knitting. www.creativeknittingmagazine.com.

• This magazine contains articles and patterns of varying skill levels based upon themes. The magazine also provides illustrated instructions on basic knitting techniques for the readers' reference.
• Instructions on basic knitting techniques can also be found on the magazine's website.

4. Crompton, Claire. The Knitter's Bible. Cincinnati: David & Charles, 2004.

• The book begins by discussing yarn choices and the different types of equipment.
• The book then covers the basics of knitting, providing illustrations of both the Continental and American methods of knitting.
• Illustrations and photographs are provided of advanced knitting techniques and finishing touches. 
• There is an extensive stitch gallery, with instructions being provided in both word and chart format.
• The author completes the book by providing a number of projects (such as bags, pillows, and sweaters) that use the techniques discussed in the earlier portions of the book.

5. Kartus, Lisa. Knit Fix: Problem Solving for Knitters. Loveland: Interweave Press LLC, 2006.

• This entire book is dedicated to providing an illustrated guide to correcting numerous knitting errors, both while you're knitting and after you have completed the knitting and are in the construction phase of your project. 

6. Knit 'n Style. www.knitnstyle.com.

• This magazine has articles about knitting containing tips and ideas, book reviews, and over 20 patterns of varying levels of difficulty.

7. Price, Andrea Berman. knitspeak: An A to Z Guide to the Language of Knitting Patterns. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2007.

• This book provides a general overview of the basics of how to read a knitting pattern, followed by an illustrated glossary of knitting terms and abbreviations. This source will be useful if you come across an unfamiliar abbreviation or term when reading a pattern.

8. Stanfield, Lesley and Melody Griffiths. The New Encyclopedia of Knitting Techniques: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques. Philadelphia: Running Press Book Publishers, 2011.

• This book is divided into two parts - knitting skills and the stitch collection. The first part covers casting on, knitting, purling, increases, decreases, binding off, finishing touches, and how to create your own design. The second part covers various stitches, with instructions provided in chart form.
• This book is better suited for more advanced beginners.

9. Webb, Mary. Knitting Stitches: Over 300 Contemporary and Traditional Stitch Patterns. Buffalo: Firefly Books Inc., 2006.

• This book covers the absolute basics of knitting, including materials and tools (yarn, types of needles, etc.) and the basic techniques necessary to perform the stitch patterns contained within the book. Also provides general instructions on assembly and correcting common errors.
• The bulk of the book is dedicated to providing instructions on how to complete various stitch patterns, the instructions being presented in both word and chart form. Photos are provided of how each pattern should appear when successfully completed.

10. Vogue Knitting. www.vogueknitting.com.

• Vogue Knitting is THE magazine, as well website, for fashionable knitting. Patterns are available in the magazine and online (both at cost and for free).
• An illustrated guide to learning how to knit can be found on the website at http://www.vogueknitting.com/pattern_help/how-to/learn_to_knit.aspx.
• Compilations of the magazine are published. A particularly useful compilation is:

Walsh, Erin, ed. The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine: 25 Years of Articles, Techniques, and Expert Advice. New York: Sixth & Spring Books, 2007.

• This particular book provides a history of knitting, an overview of yarns, covers a variety of knitting techniques, and discusses how to design a pattern.

Audiovisual Resources:

Some people really need to see knitting in action in order to learn. Luckily, your local library may have some DVDs available for you to check out that provide video demonstrations. Two very useful resources include:

1. The Art of Knitting: Stitches, Colors, Fashion. DVD. Culver City: TriCoast Studios, 2004.

• This DVD provides demonstrations of beginning knitting techniques, both American and Continental style. There is also a stitch library, glossary, list of common abbreviations, and tips.

2. Knit Stitches in Motion. DVD. Culver City: Leisure Arts, Inc., 2005.

• This DVD focuses on providing instruction on stitches of all levels, from beginning to advanced. You can choose to watch the demonstrations with or without the knitter's commentary. There is an index that permits you to jump directly to whatever topic you need.

Web Sites:

Sometimes, the ability to quickly learn or remind yourself how to perform one particular technique, especially when you are in the middle of a project, comes in handy. The following websites have excellent tutorials for when you are in a bind.

1. Lion Brand Yarn. www.lionbrand.com.

• Lion Brand Yarn has a free "Learning Center," where you can access their full illustrated knitting instructions. Additionally, many of their instructions are accompanied not only by illustrations, but videos demonstrating the stitches.
• NOTE: These videos can also be accessed through YouTube via Lion Brand Yarn's channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/LionBrandYarn#p/c/B3AA641EF2A575EA.
• Lion Brand also provides abbreviations and a stitch finder under their Learning Center.
• The website also boasts many free patterns that can be searched by type of project (scarf, sweater, afghan, etc.), what size it needs to be, what type of yarn you would like to use, etc.

2. Very Pink. www.verypink.com.

• Staci, the master knitter who maintains the Very Pink site and blog, provides video demonstrates of basic knitting techniques. She also has video tutorials in the context of specific projects, demonstrating the techniques needed to successfully complete the project.
• NOTE: These videos can also be accessed through YouTube via Staci's Very Pink channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/verypinkknits?feature=sub_widget_1.
• This website also provides several free patterns.

3. YouTube - Red Heart Yarns Channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/redheartyarns#p/search.

• Red Heart Yarns, a manufacturer of yarn, provides their own video demonstrations of various knitting techniques.

4. Knitting Help. www.knittinghelp.com.

• This website provides videos demonstrating basic and advanced knitting techniques, how to correct common errors, and provides other general tips. 
• An especially nice feature of this website is its glossary of knitting terms and abbreviations, which provides direct links to many of the videos.

Social Networking and Local Classes (specific to the Capital Region, Upstate New York):

Social networking, although typically conceived of as an Internet phenomenon, can occur both online and in person. Some people prefer the in-person learning and social experience, while others thrive in online communities. Luckily, both can be accommodated.

1. Ravelry - a knit and crochet community. www.ravelry.com.

• Ravelry is a social networking site for knitters and crocheters. The site features a project notebook, space for you to keep an inventory of your needles and yarn, free patterns, forums/discussion boards where you can seek the advice of others, and member groups where you can have discussions with those of similar (sub)interests.

2. Look into whether your local public library has a book group for knitters. If they do not, you can look into possibly forming one.

3. The Spinning Room Yarn Shop. http://www.spinningroom.net/.

This yarn shop, located at 190 Main Street in Altamont, New York, has knit-ins every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

• The shop also offers beginning knitting classes and has an option for private lessons. Their class schedule can be found under the "Classes" link in the main menu bar.

4. Trumpet Hill: Fine Yarns & Accents. http://www.trumpethill.com/.

• Another local yarn shop, located at 501 New Karner Road in Albany, New York. Knit-ins are held every Thursday from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and Sundays from 12:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M.
• This shop also offers beginning knitting classes and offers private lessons. Their class schedule can be found under the "Classes" link in their main menu bar.

5. Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft. www.joann.com.

• Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft, a chain craft store, has a location at 1440 Central Avenue in Albany, New York (better known perhaps as the Northway Mall, across from Colonie Center). They also offer knitting classes, the schedule of which can be found on the website if you go to the Store Locator and request their class schedule.
• NOTE: The current class schedule can be found at http://www.joann.com/static/education/classes/current_1929.pdf.