Any knitters out there?

I'd like to take up knitting, but am unsure of where/how to start.

I've done a bit in the past, but really need to start over as I don't think I was doing knitting properly.

Any suggestions on how to learn (books, classes, etc..)?

Thx

I've been knitting/crocheting since 2005. I taught myself crochet from a book I bought in Michaels when we lived in the US, the knitting I taught myself from a book by Klutz - they have a whole range of books aimed at kids which help develop creative skills - you could probably find that one over here on Amazon or similar.

Your first port of call might be knittinghelp.com where you'll find videos on various techniques, (plus there is a forum which has plenty of helpful people).
A great place for articles and patterns, (and which also has helpful forums) is knitty.com.

If you want help in person you might want to find yourself a LYS, (local yarn shop) where, hopefully, you will come across someone who can give you hands-on support or a local knitting group.

Hope that helps!

I learned to knit from a beginner's book. That knitting magazine looks totally cool too, I've not gotten one yet. I have to limit myself or I will go MAD with the crafty magazines!!

I'm learning now! MIL is teaching me, though I've used a couple of her books to clarify things a bit. I don't have much time to do it, though. So progress is slow. And I'm too ambitious for my own good.

Second the yarn shop trip, go to your local yarn shop and they are most likely to have classes and knitting circles, and all the resources you need. My daughter loves going, her granny taught her to knit and I take her to the knitting circle (I don't knit, though). It's all ages, from 7 to 70, all levels of knitting. Most knitting/yarn shops have something like that going on now, because of the resurgence of interest.

A knitting circle by the way is just a bunch of women sitting around together knitting and chatting.

I learned to knit and crochet from a book as well.  I couldn't get the hang of it when people tried to show me.  I would look in second hand stores for a book/magazine.  Most basic pattern books will have instructions.  PM me if you're having problems finding anything and I could probably mail something to you.

As for stores here, I've mostly just picked up wool at shops when I see something I like.  I have only seen one "craft shop" here and that was on the Isle of Wight.  I am not saying that they aren't about, I just haven't run into one.  I usually see wool sold in the oddest of places and it's usually relatively dear.

I was taught by my gran and mum.  I would go to the knitting shop...they are usually little old dears that run them and don't mind showing you how to do stuff.

I used to knit little toys as a kid..patterns by Jean Greenhowe..they were fairly easy.

What do you want to knit Yael??

I knit! You can get lots of scrummy wools now, mmmm.

My favourite knitting resource is http://www.ravelry.com, you need to sign up for an invite, but the wait's only a day or two and then you have access to fantastic resources: forums, a pattern search, a wool search, lots and lots of well-organised photos of user's projects... I can spend hours on there if I'm not careful!

I'm a new knitter, but I think I'm hooked already! 

I've run into a few problems in my first knitting project, but have received great help and advice from the lovely Tanis as well as from www.knittinghelp.com. I discovered Knitting Help without even remembering that this thread existed, so how's that for a coincidence!?

My favourite knitting resource is http://www.ravelry.com, you need to sign up for an invite, but the wait's only a day or two and then you have access to fantastic resources: forums, a pattern search, a wool search, lots and lots of well-organised photos of user's projects... I can spend hours on there if I'm not careful!

Thanks for the tip! I've signed up for an invitation! Wheeeee! 

I knit too, but haven't really graduated beyond scarves and snoods yet.  Hoping to get hats sussed at some point, as one for the baby would be nice. 

I knit too, but haven't really graduated beyond scarves and snoods yet.  Hoping to get hats sussed at some point, as one for the baby would be nice. 

I'd only ever done scarves in the past too, but it's not too difficult to progress to more complicated things! I was a bit nervous, but it's basically just a question of understanding a pattern and following directions (with a little help from friends). Now I want to make myself a jumper!

I'd only ever done scarves in the past too, but it's not too difficult to progress to more complicated things! I was a bit nervous, but it's basically just a question of understanding a pattern and following directions (with a little help from friends). Now I want to make myself a jumper!

You've put your finger right on the issue.  I can't understand patterns!!  I am so hosed.   

You've put your finger right on the issue.  I can't understand patterns!!  I am so hosed.   

I haven't been able to deal with patterns because I look at all those abbreviations and just freak.  So I have only done boring scarves.  Until now!  Now I figured a simple one out for my critter and I think I can deal with even more complicated ones!

You've put your finger right on the issue.  I can't understand patterns!!  I am so hosed.   

I bought Stitch 'n' B*tch, which helped me a bit understanding what the pattern means. And there are some good instructional videos on Kitting Help as well as YouTube and VideoJug that have actually shown me how to do the various stitches and techniques.

Now I figured a simple one out for my critter and I think I can deal with even more complicated ones!

My critter is what got me hooked as well! But ... just as an advance warning to my Critter Getter ... this is my inaugural project, so I wasn't exactly aiming for perfection! 

Look out for Stitch 'n' b*tch groups.  www.stitchnbitch.org I know they're in London. Also Glasgow and Edinburgh.  They meet up in cafes and book shops and do what the name says!  But you could probably get lots of help and advice from experienced members.