Mighty Mama Bear

5 Knitting Tips for Beginners

Knitting is a skill that’ll last you a lifetime, allowing you to create a range of magnificent designs.

Do you fancy giving knitting a try – but don’t know where to start? We’ll talk you through five knitting tips that’ll help you create your first woolly masterpiece.

Plan the Design

It doesn’t matter how new you are to knitting, there are plenty of knitting guides and books out there for you to gain some inspiration and benefit from.

Remember it’s always better to start off simple e.g., with a scarf or hat. But, if you’re feeling brave and would like a challenge, don’t be put off taking on a bigger project such as a blanket.

Choose the Right Materials

It’s important to choose the right materials to achieve a successful outcome.

First off – let’s talk about wool and yarn. Yarn is a very versatile material used for knitting; it’s made up of interlocking fibres. Wool is made up of animal fibres and is again, very versatile and soft.

Hand-dyed wool is useful for creating a project that’s unique and one of a kind. Hand-dyed wool can be a single shade or several shades of colourful tie-dyed strands.

When choosing which yarn is best for your project, consider the thickness and texture. Different projects use different textures, so make sure you choose the right yarn for your project. If you’re thinking of knitting a scarf, you’ll want something chunky that’ll keep you warm and cosy. If you’re after a challenge and are starting off with an intricate pattern, thinner yarn is a better choice for detail.

Choosing the perfect material for your project is important. The Foundry Works are an independent yarn shop selling hand-dyed yarns, self-striping yarn, and a range of knitting accessories, giving you tons of unique colours to choose from, both online and in-store.

Set a Deadline

Many knitters fail to finish their project as they become frustrated with the careful nature of knitting. It can take some time to master, but with practice and patience, anyone can do it.

Setting a deadline can help you manage your time and fully finish your project. Sticking to a finishing date will help you get more enjoyment out of your project too.

However, remember not to put too much pressure on yourself and just enjoy knitting, that’s what it’s all about. Taking your time and enjoying your project can leave you with a higher quality piece in the end.

Avoid Simple Mistakes

You’ll definitely make some mistakes along the way, but don’t worry – everybody does, after all you are a beginner! Here are two tips to help you avoid common mistakes.

The most common mistake is made when starting a new ball of wool or yarn. Make sure you start a new ball of wool or yarn from the tail end. This is usually found inside the ball, so you’ll have to have a feel around. This way, the ball will remain still as your knitting grows and stop you from ending up in a tangled mess.

If you put your knitting down for a break, you can often forget which row you’re on. This problem can be easily solved with a handy stitch counter, just simply change the number on the counter when you’ve finished a row. With this handy device, you’ll be able to pick back up exactly where you left off. These are available to buy in most knitting stores and online.

Learn to Frog

Even the most experienced knitters miss a stitch every now and then. Frogging is a knitting technique that allows you to save your entire piece of work, even when you’ve made a mistake.

To frog, slip the needle from the stitches and carefully pull the yarn until you have undone your mistake. It is advisable to remove an extra row too. Then thread the stitches back onto the needle in the right direction.

Rather than leaving a dropped stitch and hoping it goes unnoticed, use the frogging technique to help you sort out your project, without letting all of your hard work go to waste.