Easy Knitting Instructions For Beginners

I have just started learning to knit but have been an avid crocheter for the past 30 years. While I have to admit, I do find crochet to be a lot easier than knitting, I am determined to master it...at least the basics!

Today I wanted to share this great article with all of you which is great for those of us who are just learning how to knit. I love it when instructions are spelled out in a way that I can understand, don't you? Yes...great for us beginners!

Easy Knitting Instructions For Beginners

Posted here are some easy knitting instructions for beginners. I think when people try to learn to knit they choose the wrong pattern and the wrong supplies.

A beginner is naturally clumsy because they are not comfortable with using two needles. So why make it more difficult for yourself by choosing small size needles and tiny yarn to learn with?

It is also best to use the basic knitting stitches, just knit and purl until you are use to knitting. Once you learn these two stitches you will find everything else is just a variation of the knit and purl stitches.

First find a pattern with the some basic knitting instructions; a small flat item really is best. Try a dishcloth, potholder or a square for an afghan. These are all good choices for that very first project. The needles size 8 or larger is easiest to handle. Do keep them about 14 inches long or shorter. I love the new kids needles that are about 7 inches long.

To help you there are many videos and graphics online. If you don’t understand the written instructions do check out some of these videos. It also helps to read the written instructions and than watch the videos.

(1) Slip Knot: Wrap yarn over needle from front to back, over the working yarn, and through loop, pull taut but not tight.
(2) Cast On:
(A) With needle in right hand, wrap tail over left thumb and working yarn over index finger
(B) Insert needle up through thumb loop, then draw a loop from working yarn through loop
© Release thumb loop, tighten loop on needle by pulling tail forward
(3) Knit stitch: Hold needle with loops in left hand
(A) Insert right needle
(B) Wrap yarn around it, draw yarn through to form new stitch
(C) Transfer stitch to right needle
(4) Purl: With yarn in front of work
(A) Insert right needle into front of stitch, yarn over and
(B) Draw new loop through
(5) Cast off or Bind off: Begin by knitting two stitches loosely
(A) With left needle pass first stitch over second stitch and tip of right needles which leaves one stitch on right needle.
(B) Knit next stitch and repeat process.
(C) Continue until all stitches but one are bound off.
(D) Break or cut yarn and draw end through stitch
With these few knitting basics to get you started, you will be well on your way to becoming a knitter. These few basic knitting instructions are the foundation of any project you will ever knit. Take your time; understand these few items and you will be able to knit anything you want.

Linda Spangenburg draws on 35+ years from her knitting and crochet business experience, both as a teacher and craft business owner. She is the author behind "Looney for Looms" where you will find patterns for loom knitting. We hope you found the information here inspiring enough to try a craft homebased business? You can find more free information about knitting and crochet for profit at http://www.knitting-n-crochet.com

8 Creative Ways to Store your Knitting & Crocheting Yarns

For those who are passionate about knitting and crocheting, you already know how important it is to properly store all of your yarns and supplies. When thinking about storage options, you need to think about the room you will be storing them in, the amount of space you have to work with and what kind of storage item you are looking for.

Here are some creative ways you can store all of your knitting and crocheting supplies.

1. Canvas Laundry Bags - Look for washable bags with a drawstring closure to place all of your yarn in. If you have a lot of yarn...buy several in a variety of colors to color-code your yarn storage.

2. Plastic Linen Storage Bags - Every time you purchase new comforters or bed linens, save those clear plastic bags with zipper closures and use those to store your supplies in. What is really nice about these bags is that you can see what is inside them and they slip easily underneath your bed or in a closet if you are limited on storage space.

3. Plastic Storage Totes - A variety of plastic manufacturers make plastic storage totes (Rubbermaid is one of them) which are good for storing your knitting & crocheting supplies in if you have a lot of storage space to work with. Although this should not be your first storage choice option...it is an option to consider.

4. Over-the-Door Shoe Storage Bag - Have you all seen those shoe storage bags that fit over a closet door or on the back of a door? If you have a lot of little yarn balls or work with small amounts of baby yarn...these shoe organizers could be a storage option for you. With that said, most will not hold large, full-size yarn skeins, so keep that in mind when considering one for your storage options.

5. Laundry Baskets - These are an inexpensive storage option but when using laundry baskets it is important to toss something over the top of them to keep animals and dust out! A folded up throw blanket, garbage bag, etc. will be needed to over-the-top of the laundry basket to keep your yarns looking nice and bug-free.

6. Children's Toy Boxes - If your children are all grown up or if you can pick up a toy box at a local yard sale...an empty toy box works well for storing all of your crocheting and knitting supplies in...including yarn! If you invest in a wooden one, you could use it for extra seating in your home (like a bench) which gives it dual function and it can enhance your home's décor.

7. Storage Ottomans - If you are limited on space or what an option that works with your home's décor...a small or medium-sized storage ottoman is the way to go. These ottomans can double as extra seating or as a coffee table too!

8. Canvas Tote Bags - If you only keep enough yarn and supplies on hand to make one single project at a time consider purchasing a large canvas tote bag to store your project and supplies in. These tote bags are great for those of you who like to take your projects with you when you travel.

Purchasing yarn is an investment and you want to properly keep your yarn clean, dry, out of direct sunlight and well organized. Take in consideration the amount of yarn you have, the area (place) in where you will be storing it and how much money you have to spend on your storage option. Once you know these answers, you can select the perfect storage option for your needs.


Article written by Shelly Hill.

How to Turn Your Knitting Hobby Into a Small Business

How to Turn Your Knitting Hobby Into a Small Business

By Nancy R Queen

Knitting is a craft that has been around for centuries, but in our fast paced world of being able buy everything and anything, often hand crafting items has gone by the wayside. If you knit, that puts you at an advantage! You have a learned skill that you can pass on several different ways and actually turn a profit!

Teach others to Knit

If you have the patience to teach others, why not pass on your passion for knitting? There are plenty of places that would appreciate a knitting instructor. Most often, beginner lessons are what is needed for local clubs, mom's groups, retirement homes, libraries, and social centers. Start by contacting some of the places in your area, you'll be surprised at how much interest you get. It may even help if you make up a flyer with your class rates and a list of materials the knitter will need to get started, i.e. a pair of 10" bamboo knitting needles and a skein of worsted weight yarn.

Sell Your Finished Knitting Projects

Almost anywhere you go provides an opportunity to sell your finished wares. For me, the best way to open up the dialog is to just knit whenever you are out and about. The doctor's office, the hair salon, picking up the kids from school, sporting events, on a train, at the airport, etc. People are so curious about what I'm knitting, they stop to ask. I always tell them and mention that I sell my finished projects and usually hand them a business card. Several times, I have finished a scarf and sold it right then and there!

Craft Fairs, church bazaars, flea markets, specialty boutiques, hair salons, and home parties are also great places to sell finished projects. Find out when craft fair, church bazaars and flea markets are happening in your area - for a small fee you'll be able to rent a booth, set up shop and sell your finished projects. For those events, I've found that quick knitting projects that you can sell for under $25 seem to do best. Ruffle scarves, small knitted toys, and hats tend to sell well.

Contact specialty boutiques and hair salons in your area. Often they are looking for fine quality, unique items to sell in their shop or in a corner of their salon. Selling to shops does require, though that you may need to sell your items for a bit less than you could if you were selling them directly to the customer. When selling to shops, they will usually need to be able to sell the product for twice as much as they paid for it. So, if you sell it to them for $30, they will usually retail it for $60 or higher.

Last, but by no means least, selling online is also another great option. It will require the additional work of maintaining and updating a website, but it allows you to sell to the entire world rather than just in your community.

Designer Yarn Sale was founded in 2008 due to my love and passion for all things knitting. I wanted knitters and crocheters, many of whom often knit for others, to be able to find to brand name yarns at affordable discounted prices.

Fast forward to today... fortunately, with the help of a fun loving team of fellow knitters, we strive to provide you with lots of simple and fun to knit projects while creating a welcoming knitting community. Our goal is giving you friendly service, fast shipping, competitive pricing, and lots of project ideas and free patterns on our blog. Happy Knitting! - Nancy Queen

Beffie's Boutique ~ Bamboo Knitting Needles Product Review!

Do you love to knit? If so, I got a fabulous company to introduce you to today called Beffie's Boutique where you can purchase high quality knitting needles, knitting supplies, gorgeous watches for us ladies, jewelry charms, knitting patterns, pre-made knitting kits and ready made completed pieces that were knit by hand! If you are a stylish chic and love unique hand crafted fashions, check out Beffie's shawls, shrugs and handbags! Wow, there is a lot of great things over at Beffie's Boutique!

I asked Beffie to tell us more about herself & her business and this is what she had to say. Lydia (Beffie) Johnston – retired middle school math & computer teacher. Ohio Knitting is now my fulltime passion. But I don’t like long needles especially if a project doesn’t need them. Many projects are narrow or overall just small. They can easily be done on needles that are only 17 centimeters long (7 inches). I couldn’t find needles less than 9 or 10 inches in length. So I have them specially made. Of course I had to order in large quantities. Hence, I have Beffie’s Bamboo to sell online at Beffie’s Boutique. There is no physical store. My website is the only source for these needles. The many booties my church group knits for the Community Pregnancy Center are made on size 5 of these short needles. The ladies prefer them. Another advantage is that we can pack a small ball of yarn & these short needles in our purse for knitting anywhere, anytime. I’ve traveled with them numerous times and have never had trouble at security in the airports. Needles are available in US Sizes 0 – 8. Also at Beffie’s Boutique are 5 inch double pointed needles, 27 cm circular needles in 3 sizes, Bamboo Pins, and assorted other knitting supplies.

Projects that can be completed on the short needles: · Baby items, especially booties · Coasters, Dishcloths, Washcloths · Most knit toys/dolls/stuffed animals · Mini- items (I’ve knit mini-sweaters, mittens, & socks for Christmas tree decorations) · Gloves, mittens · Scarves · Sleeves · Bookmarks · Doll clothes

My Review: I am an avid crafter but I have never tried knitting until about 10 days ago when I attended my first class. I am goig to admit up front that I don't know a whole lot about this crafting medium so I had to enlist the help of my 85 year old aunt for this review since she is an avoid knitter. Beffie's Boutique was generous to sent me a set of their 17 cm bamboo knitting needles in a protective case for me to review. Like I said, I am just learning and my first class was just about the supplies and basics. I am looking forward to class #2 when we actually start to learn how to knit. I took the bamboo needles over to my aunt's house to show her and she told me that 17 cm needles are hard to find and that she has never seen bamboo needles and immediately fell in love with this set. She told me that short knitting needles like this are great for taking your knitting products on the road with you. She said she prefers wooden needles over plastic or metal needles and she told me that bamboo needles are eco-friendly. So, I decided to let autnie try out my new needles for a few days. A few days later she told me that she LOVES them! She said they are easy to work with since they are short needles, they are comfortable to hold for long periods of time and that they are super smooth and glide through the yarn with ease. She also said that she likes that they have a blunt tip and are not super sharp so you don't have to worry about accidentally poking someone with your needles. I then asked her about the quality and she said they were excellent quality. So there you have it...the opinion of an 85 year old woman who has been knitting for 50+ years. I hope that after I am done with my knitting classes that I can become proficient in knitting too!

Purchasing Info: You can buy this set of Bamboo 17 cm Knitting Needles from Beffie's Boutique for only $4.00 and for an additional $1.00 you can get a purple protective case for them! Wow...talk about affordable!

I would personally like to thank Beffie's Boutique for allowing me to do a product review for their company here on the Passionate About Crafting Blog.

Disclaimer: Shelly Hill has personally reviewed the product listed above. Shelly has not received any monetary compensation for her review. Shelly did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ. Passionate About Crafting Blog is not responsible for delivery of any giveaway items won from this blog. We are not responsible for injury or mis-use of any products won from the Passionate About Crafting Blog. Please read our Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy before entering our giveaways. Thanks!

Cute Knitted Wine Cork Elf Holiday Ornaments

Here is another great handcrafted holiday ornament knitted by my good friend Darlene. I call the wine cork ornament an elf...but I see others call it a person...just reminds me of a cute little elf I guess LOL.

Darlene used a wine cork, wiggle eyes and a few other things to make him...she also knitted his clothing which I can't knit at all. I asked Darlene where she got the pattern and she gave me the web site which is ---> HERE

Now you can head on over there and print out the pattern and make one for yourself. I think they would be cute hanging on a holiday tree or attached to the top of your holiday christmas packages.

FREE Knitting Pattern - Child's Knit Striped Scarf Pattern

Today is another great guest blogger post by my friend Sharon who is giving us the instructions on how to make a simple knitted scarf that is child-size. This would be a great project for a beginner to try making. You can also see her crochet scarf pattern by visiting the crochet category here on my blog.

Striped Knit Scarf Pattern

This was done as a childs scarf. I used a 5.5 MM knitting needle.

Cast on 15 stitches. Knit each row, until you feel it is long enough. Cast off.

I used a crochet hook to make the fringe. To keep them even I wrapped the yarn around something, and cut it off. Poke crochet hook through hole like you are making a slip knot. Wrap yarn around and pull through. Repeat. I used 2 strands for each. Trim to the same length when done.

Sharon Katzman is a Manager with Gold Canyon Candles. Through her business, she is able to help women to make an income and feel empowered.