| Life is good. We need to always remember that. Do | | | | progress, but that is normal to that particular yarn. |
| something worthwhile. Learn to knit. | | | | Nothing should be so tight as to be impossible to work |
| Of course, when learning to knit, one of the first things | | | | off the needle. If that happens, just go back and try |
| you need to figure out is how to hold the needles. | | | | again. And again. And, maybe, even again. |
| Knitters, no matter where they live, all knit in the same | | | | As you progress, remember to control your yarn and |
| fashion. The only difference is how you hold the yarn, | | | | stitches with your right index finger. Or you may use |
| and in what hand. | | | | several fingers for control. This is relevant to keeping |
| There are two basic ways in which to knit. One is the | | | | all stitches on the needle. Especially as you learn to |
| English (or American) way, and the other is the | | | | include stitches beyond "knit and purl", such as "yo" or |
| Continental way. | | | | "k2tog" or increasing. You don't want to start dropping |
| To begin knitting in the English method, hold the right | | | | stitches or losing them from row to row. |
| needle as you would a pencil. The left needle gets held | | | | You know the deal; you cast on 43 stitches and by |
| between your left thumb and index finger so as to | | | | the sixth row you have maybe 39, so where did the |
| control the stitches. | | | | other four stitches go? |
| Some knitters like to knit close to the tip of the needle, | | | | Remember, there is no one method that is 100% |
| while others prefer the safety of keeping the stitches | | | | correct; if something works for you, then stick with |
| further back on the needles. Either way is fine. | | | | that. |
| In fact, some projects are easier to work close to the | | | | Be mindful when making stitches; keep a steady hand |
| tip than others. You will find this out with the more | | | | on your needles, but don't grip them so tightly that you |
| patterns you knit. | | | | can't knit a stitch. |
| Your preference, your control, is what works for you! | | | | Relax! It's only yarn. |
| That's the beauty of knitting; finding your own way. A | | | | Knitting should become confortable to you, and in the |
| little bit like life. | | | | beginning, it won't feel that way. That's normal, too. |
| Keep in mind the word "loose" at all times, when | | | | Only with lots of practice will you begin to form your |
| casting on. It really does help. And you do want that | | | | own unique approach to knitting! |
| foundation row to be pliable enough to work with. | | | | When you attain that, knitting will be so easy to do, and |
| When you start to knit, hold the needles lightly, and | | | | ideas will pop into your head all the time, ideas that you |
| don't let the stitches become too cramped or tight. If | | | | can transfer to your knitting needles for creations like |
| you are new to knitting, this will probably happen. Just | | | | no other! |
| unravel, and start again. | | | | For you will have found a gift, a gift which you can |
| Knitting should flow easily. Oh yes, there are those | | | | bring to the world! You see, in the yarn we knit is the |
| chunky, bulky yarns that are difficult to work with, so | | | | invisible thread which weaves us all... one to another. |
| they will require greater strength from you as you | | | | |