Learning a new skill can be scary. Whether you’re learning to cook, play a sport or make clothes, struggling is inevitable. This struggle is frustrating, but is necessary when introducing a new hobby or developing a skill. Recently, there has been a popularization of activities called “grandma hobbies.” Grandma hobbies are traditional, textile crafts such as knitting, crochet, embroidery and sewing. Psychologists like Patricia Dixon have found that hobbies such as knitting help to help improve focus and concentration, due to the dedication of time necessary to complete even a small project. Along with this, these activities can help improve problem solving skills with the focus on creative thinking.
Projects in knitting can range from small stuffed animals, called amigurumi, to full sweaters and even bedspreads. Every project is customizable, with size changing opportunities and the ability to use any material. Common preferences for material include acrylic yarn and wool. Yarn can be any size or shape, the most common being worsted weight, which refers to a medium weight yarn. This is the most commonly used because of its versatility, as it can easily be used for many different types of projects.
Starting out
To learn how to knit, all you need is a pair of knitting needles and some yarn. Craft stores like Michaels have a variety of materials, including many needle sizes and hundreds of yarns to choose from. Most people start out with acrylic yarn. Brighter colors make stitches easier to see, and the material gives it a little bit more traction on the needles than some fluffier, natural yarns, meaning that it won’t slip off as easily. In that same vein, most people start out with cheap, aluminum needles. Although they’re a great, affordable option for anyone trying out the hobby without wanting to invest much, I personally find that wooden or bamboo needles are much easier to learn with. They slip much less often than metal needles, which helps to keep your stitches on the needle. Metal needles are better for more seasoned knitters, as the affordability allows you to have a plethora of sizes, but due to their slippery nature, the extra experience can be helpful.
Crocheting and knitting are commonly mistaken as they are both yarn-weaving based crafts, but they are very different. Crocheting uses a singular hook to create ‘knot-looking’ stitches, while knitting uses two needles to create ‘loop-looking’ stitches. As silly as it may sound, when looking for instructional books, articles or videos, make sure that you’re looking at the right craft.
When looking for instruction on knitting, books and youtube videos are your best friend. There is no singular “perfect” tutorial that works for everyone. The process of learning is a lot of trial, error and closing of tabs. One of my personal favorite books for knitting is The Knitting Book by Vikki Haffenden. Even as a seasoned knitter, there are techniques I like to refresh my knowledge on. This book has clear cut instructions and in depth descriptions which is helpful for beginners and veterans alike. The Knitting Book is available at Barnes and Noble, and many different online sources such as Random Penguin House, for 40 dollars USD. This price tag may look big and scary, but for those who want to commit to knitting, this is one of the greatest investments. I can personally testify that The Knitting Book took me from knitting crooked squares to knitting sweaters and socks.
Patterns
After getting the basics down, patterns are the next step. A pattern is a set of instructions which tell you how to construct a knit piece step by step, stitch by stitch. There are patterns for just about everything. One of the most popular projects within the knitting community is clothing items. Items like sweaters, slippers, hats and everything in between have patterns available online. The difficulty of these patterns can vary, from ultra-beginner to master.
One of the most popular beginner knitting patterns is called the Sophie Scarf. This project is a great starting point for beginners as it introduces you to the knit stitch, increases, decreases and i-cord edging. This pattern takes shape quite quickly, with around a 2-3 hour knit time. The little ascot style scarf you end up with is perfect for a simple fall or spring accessory. Depending on the material you choose, it can be more breathable or thicker and warmer. The original Sophie scarf pattern can be found on PetitKnit’s website, a knit designer based in Germany. This pattern costs around 8 dollars USD. If you don’t want to pay for this pattern, there are many dupes and copycat patterns available on knitting websites like Ravelry.
Along with the Sophie scarf, the Scrunchie Bag by Loupystudios is a great option for beginners. This pattern introduces the stockinette stitch, the most recognizable stitch in knitwear, along with increases, decreases, color work, I-cords and sewing. This bag is a statement piece and is great for funky yarn colors like bright greens and purples. It can also be used as a stashbuster project, a project intended to use up all of your scrap/extra yarn, though it may take a while to amount a large stash of yarn. This bag can also be worked in neutral colors for a more casual style, with the silhouette doing the work of creating visual texture and adding intrigue to any outfit.
Do the work
Once you learn to knit, you’ll be able to make anything your heart desires. From the famous J. Crew cashmere cardigan to your favorite Jelly Cats, with skill and patience, the sky’s the limit.
Knitting can seem boring and tedious at first. When you get deeper into the hobby, you’ll find a strong community of textile artists both online and in person. The pride you will feel holding a finished piece far surpasses that which doomscrolling may bring. Knitting is an incredible, historic artform that helps decrease stress and increase focus and attention span. It may seem difficult at first, but stick with it, it is beyond worth it.
