Knitting and crochet are enjoying a vibrant resurgence of late. Yarn arts are no longer something left to grandma, as young people everywhere are discovering the crafts. To get started, all you need are a few simple supplies. First, buy a set of straight knitting needles. Also, for a first project, a thick, light-colored yarn is ideal.
With just a few dollars, you can get started learning to knit. Free knitting patterns are widely available. Online is the easiest place to find free patterns. All major yarn manufacturers offer free patterns on their official websites. If you look on the opposite side of the paper wrapping your store-bought yarn, usually you’ll find a free pattern there. Numerous personal hobby blogs have patterns devised by knitting enthusiasts the world over. The large social networking sites offer yarn fan communities, that offer free patterns, tips and tricks.
After getting the hang of knitting, you may want to try you hand at felting. Felting supplies are easy to obtain, and you can learn the technique quickly and easily. An important thing to remember about felting is that it shrinks your project, so the knitted piece needs to be bigger than the final product. Felting is ideal for projects that benefit from rigid texturing. For example, felting is popular for knitted toys as well as knitted handbags.
Heat and agitation are the ingredients for successful felting. This is why most home felting is done in the washing machine. Setting the machine to the hot water setting and the most vigorous agitation should achieve the results you desire.
The perfect first project, whether felted or not, is the traditional scarf. Scarves are a great starter project for several reasons. First, you need not worry too much about gauge, or “stitches per inch,” that has a significant affect on the sizing of knitted garments. Since scarves are not complex garments enveloping the body, whether it comes out thinner or wider than the pattern calls for is unimportant. Your neck is still going to stay toasty warm! They’re also fairly quick projects that provide a quick sense of accomplishment.
Knitting and other yarn arts are a great activity that can relieve stress. It is portable as well, going with you practically anywhere you decide to go. If you’re seeking out a new hobby, try out knitting!
