Beginner Knitter Pep-Talk - Setting yourself up for success

So, you’re ready to set out on your first knitting adventure - but where to start? And what to bring?! 

When choosing a first project, we look for simple, clear instructions and basic techniques (think knits and purls). Many folks start knitting with a specific garment or accessory in mind, such as a beautiful lace shawl or a big, cozy cabled sweater. There’s no rule that says you can’t start with that big, dream project – we’re not big on rules around here! But if you haven’t yet mastered the basics, more complex projects(and patterns) can lead to frustration early on.

We want you to feel successful in your knitting, and that often means starting small with something like a scarf, hat, or fingerless mitts. While that may seem boring to some, taking time to practice and build muscle memory is no small feat! We must learn to walk before we can run, right? 

Pick the right pattern.

The right pattern can be the difference between a finished project and a frustrating mess. Ravelry.com is usually our first stop when looking for patterns. Ravelry is an online platform for fiber artists, where you'll find thousands of knitting and crochet patterns. I recommend reading Iris’ blog post about sourcing quality patterns on Ravelry, and our YouTube playlist about navigating their pattern database and putting all of its features to use.

Another great place to look for beginner-friendly patterns is Tincanknits.com. Their Simple Collection features a variety of free patterns designed for beginners, many of which include detailed tutorials! Some of our favorites are the Wheat Scarf and Barley Hat. 

There’s no shame in starting with dishcloths! Small, portable, and an inexpensive investment, a dishcloth is a great practice project. Bonus, they do not have to fit anyone or be beautiful! Check out Very Pink’s Learn to Knit a Dish Cloth tutorial, as well as her Basics Tutorial Collection. 

Pick the right yarn.

Picking the right yarn is as important as finding the right pattern. For beginners, we recommend starting with a worsted weight yarn, also referred to as a #4 or medium weight yarn on the label. Many beginner-friendly patterns are designed for worsted weight because it’s easy to manage while building muscle memory. 

Choosing a lighter color is also highly recommended, as your stitches will be easier to see. This is helpful when learning to “read” your knitting, aka understanding what you’re seeing when you look at your stitches or knit fabric.

We recommend yarns like Malabrigo Worsted, Berroco Lanas, and Queensland Collection Coastal Cotton. These are beautiful yarns that are easier to control and budget-friendly, so you don’t have to break the bank on your first project.

Pick the right tools.

We recommend starting with wooden or bamboo needles. They’re smooth without being slippery, which gives you more control over your stitches. Steel needles are great when you’re working with sticky or very woolly yarns, or when you’re ready to put the pedal to the metal on a few miles of stockinette or garter stitch. (You’ll get there, promise!)

Like many things in knitting, it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference, and finding the tools that work for you and your projects may take a bit of trial and error. 

Join a knitting group or Knit Along.

A great way to increase your Knitting Knowledge is to join a knitting group! Whether online or in person, knitting groups are friendly spaces to meet new people, feel inspired, and learn from others. When we learn in community, we’re not just learning from our own experiences, but from everyone else’s, too! Knitters are generally very generous and happy to share tips and tricks!

At the Goat, we have seasonal Knit Alongs, which are a fabulous way to try new techniques with the support of a large group of other knitters — we have Knit Along meet-ups in the shop and online. 

We also host several weekly knit/crochet/really-any-fiber-art groups here in the shop. If you’re interested in joining any of our knitting groups, give us a call at the shop for days and times. Most of our groups are drop-in, and don’t require preregistration, but space is limited.

Don’t forget to check out our Beginner Knitter Collection to find any of the above mentioned products, plus our favorite books to get you started.

As always, we’re here if you need us!