Knitting Tips and Tricks!

Finally!! The much anticipated knitting tips and tricks post. I know that a lot of people think it's complicated and scary but it's really pretty simple. And, once you know how to knit and purl you can make thousands of cool projects.

First things first:
Most people who are learning how to knit start with a simple project, like a scarf. This is, in my opinion, the easiest thing to knit because you can use the knit stitch throughout the whole project and you just knit in a straight line.

I taught myself how to knit using the lovely resources available online and reading as many books as I could get my hands on. What I've found along the way is that some places are MUCH more helpful than others and finding the good resources can be pretty difficult.

If you're looking for websites and blogs, these are a few of my favorites...



Knitting Help
Seems so simple right? There is a tutorial on this site for just about every knitting problem you'll ever run into. Every time I run into a particularly difficult dilemma, I hop on over to this site and generally find help right away.


You Tube
Again, seems like an obvious answer. But some people completely overlook it so I feel like I should point it out. I knew about youtube long before I knew about knitting help and I would say that it can be just as helpful. Lovely knitters everywhere are uploading videos to help you with your problems. Take advantage!


purl bee
This knitting (and crochet/sewing) blog has some really nice step by step tutorials. They also have a BUNCH of cute/fun projects you can try as you hone your knitting skills. I love this blog :).


Ravelry
This is a great community for knitters and crocheters. You can upload patterns, search for free patterns, and connect with other knitters. Buying patterns can get REALLY expensive so it's always great to find a place that can offer you free goodies!



Wool and the Gang
This site is great, and not just because of the name. It has some tutorials for beginning knitters and also offers kits for fun projects. I love the clean format of the site and the easy navigation.

If you're not so good with the internet, books are definitely the way to go when teaching yourself any new skill. Like I said, some books are a lot more helpful than others. The books that have helped me the most are ones that have a lot of pictures. Sometimes just seeing the way to hold something is more helpful than a whole chapter of text on how to do the same thing.



Knit 101
This has been my favorite book. It has projects for both knitting and crochet that teach you a lot of the important basics. It starts with really simple projects and slowly gets more complicated as the book goes on. It's definitely not the most helpful book on the market but for some reason it really worked for me.

Obviously, your local knitting store is going to be a great help as well. If you think you don't have a local knitting store, you're probably wrong! At least I was :). I feel like this goes without saying, but a simple google search will help you find a store in your area. If you live in Chicago, you can try two of my favorite stores! I also have a store recommendation for anyone who lives in Phoenix.



Loopy Yarn
It's pretty pricey but they have a great selection of yarn. Most of the staff is helpful but sometimes I get overlooked because I'm a young knitter. I feel like they don't always take me seriously and they definitely offer help to older knitters before they chat with me while I'm in the store. If you're feisty though, you should have no problem getting what you need from them. I'm pretty fearless so when I go in with a knitting question I can usually scrounge up an answer :).


Nina Knitting
I'll be honest. I've only been to this store once, but I left with SUCH a positive impression that I daydream about going back constantly. The staff was extremely friendly, the classes teach you how to make interesting projects, and they offer a great selection of yarns. I'm also obsessed with the overall layout of the store. I think it has a really modern feel to it which is great because knitting is often viewed as a hobby for grandmothers.


Knit Happens
This is such a cute store. The staff is helpful, the fibers are fantastic, and the layout is easy to navigate. They also have an impressive selection of books. It's a really great place to be for Arizona knitters!


Once you master the knit and purl stitches you're ready to get started on some fun projects. I wanted to give you some of the sources I use to find my patterns. Also, don't be afraid to try and create your own patterns! It can be fun :).

Spud and Chloe

Knit Picks


The Harmony Guides: Knit & Purl: 250 Stitches to Knit



Twinkle's Weekend Knits


Knitted Toys

I hope that this was somewhat helpful for you. I shared all my big secrets :)
Most pictures courtesy of weheartit.

xoxoxo
Malori

Give Mama Some Suga

Hey kids!
I don't know if you've noticed but it's Sunday and it's 100% beautiful outside today. I wish I was laying in a park reading a book right now (as a matter of fact, I may be headed there after this post). I have homework to do but I'm a huge slacker and reading sounds so much more enticing than writing a paper. In the spirit of my book lust, I'm going to share my all time favorite books for your sugar today.

The Delivery Man
The ending to this book is, hands down, the best end to any book I have ever read. I would read it a million times just to get to that last line. It's wonderful. This is my favorite book.


Fight Club
"Maybe self-improvement isn't the answer.... Maybe self-destruction is the answer."



Grab on to Me Tightly As If I Knew The Way
The fires began with just a few tiny sparks way down deep in places in your heart you never knew existed and they're raging away now all out of control. This day, this moment. What was that poem? So much depends upon the last wild seconds before the kiss, when your veins are a million speedways pumping rocket-fuel blood.
You are standing in a bright field. You are listening to the earth, drawn back like a bow, tasting the stars, the honey, your mouth, the light. To touch her glittery cheek, to step through the screen and scream, the sins, the sinner, the night, the kiss...
Now.
There is nothing else but this moment, this movie, your hand in hers, do it now, kiss her now. No longer afraid to feel to fight to kick out against life to kiss to dream to dance to love to leave home to die to learn to fuck up fall down and forgive..."


The Catcher and the Rye
"All morons hate it when you call them a moron."


The Time Traveler's Wife
"The compelling thing about making art - or making anything, I suppose - is the moment when the vaporous, insubstantial idea becomes a solid there, a thing, a substance in a world of substances."



A Piece of Cake
"Always remember the acronym for "FEAR" can mean one of two things: Fuck Everything And Run or Face Everything And Recover."


Tweak
“I felt like everyone else had gotten this instruction manual that explained life to them, but somehow I’d just missed it. They all seemed to know exactly what they were doing while I didn’t have a clue”



The Virgin Suicides
"He tasted first the grease of her Chap Stick, then the sad Brussels-sprout flavor of her last meal, and past that the dust of lost afternoons and the salt of tear ducts. The peach schnapps faded away as he sampled the juices of her inner organs, all slightly acidic with woe."


Perks of Being a Wallflower
"And I thought that all those little kids are going to grow up someday. And all of those little kids are going to do the things that we do. And they will all kiss someone someday. But for now, sledding is enough. I think it would be great if sledding were always enough, but it isn't."


The books I'm currently working on are Up in the Air, The Year of Magical Thinking, and Rant. I usually read more than one book at a time, I'm not sure why. There are just too many good books to take them one at a time I suppose...

I'll be back tomorrow with the much anticipated knitting post!! I can't wait :)

xoxo
Malori