The wearable Art you will be knitting is le Cache-cou (the neck warmer). Before you learn to knit the best thing to do is set yourself up for success –
“Knitting is a tactile sport”
~MG
- Pick your yarn with these guidelines in mind.
- Choose colors that make you happy – let color (not texture) be the art you compose with this time. This will make life so much easier for you when learn to knit the first couple of scarves.
- Find a round yarn – with lots of ply (strings making up the yarn)
- Look for chunky yarn – they call it bulky (it is about 1/4″ around), not bumpy, loopy, or fuzzy (you must be able to make a bow several times in the same spot without feeling like you will disrupt the yarn. If you can’t, save that yarn for your fourth project.) Most importantly find something soft – this is going around your neck, that is a very sensitive part of you.
- Choose a natural yarn – knitting is a tactile sport and you will be so much happier with something real going through your fingers. I really can’t say enough about this. I know real yarn can be expensive, but to knit there is little better then feeling a natural product on your lap or in your fingers. There is also no comparison in finished product. Which would you rather do; wear a plastic bag, or cuddle with a lamb? Knit Picks = a nice source of some natural yarns and needles for the tight budget. Free shipping on orders over $65. (My Best advice is to go in with a friend or four for your order, and do a knit-along. It is so much fun to learn something all at the same time!!) – Then maybe exchange scarves when you are done.?.
- This is the time to use that special yarn you purchased – you know, the one you said you would use when you got good at knitting. Don’t wait. We can do this. You won’t mess it up, and you can show everyone your amazing first piece and not be ashamed that it wasn’t made with a yarn you absolutely love.
- Choose the right needles.
- Wood needles are the best for beginners – when you learn to knit it is easy to feel like you have 10 thumbs and wood needles have more grip for your yarn.
- Circular needles are required for this project – you will be knitting around and around. Which will teach you what a knit stitch looks like. I prefer the 24″ circular needles. They can be used in Many different projects (round and flat), AND you won’t loose the other needle!!! Clover bamboo knitting needles= a brand that seems to be everywhere, are a good choice for beginner knitters. I still have my first pair and still going strong.
- The right size needles – For this project pick the size needles about 1 and 1/2 times bigger than your yarn diameter. There is no measuring or counting stitches in this project so what you choose will be just fine don’t agonize over it too much. When you use this proportion of yarn to needles it will make it much easier to work with; and your finished product will be more pliable and more happy to conform to you.
- Now you are ready to “Cast On”.
I really appreciate your support. If you find this helpful, please share. Let me know what you would like to learn next. I am very happy to help if you need some extra explanation. Leave your comments, and I will answer them on the website. Your feedback lets me correct mistakes, lets me know how else I can help, and generally makes my day.