Learn to Knit: Supplies

Hopefully the Free Cowl Knitting Pattern has inspired many of you to learn (or relearn) to knit this fall.  When you're just starting out, the volume and variety of knitting supplies available can be overwhelming, not to mention, expensive. Some of you have been asking where to start.  Here's a list of basic knitting supplies for beginners to get you started. 

Most patterns will tell you which size and shape of needle you will need.  Because there are thousands of size-shape combinations available, I recommend selecting a pattern you love first, and then buy the needles required.  If you do this for each project, you will eventually build up a nice collection. 

Needles

Materials: Knitting needles come in metal, wood, acrylic, and plastic.  I have always used bamboo needles.  They're relatively affordable, not too slippery, and bamboo is an environmentally friendly material. 

Shape: Needles come in straight, double pointed, and circular.  With straight or single point needles, you work your knitting back and forth.  These range from 9 to 14 inches long.  Double pointed and circular allow you to knit "in the round" as in a hat or sock.  Double pointed needles usually come in sets of five, at lengths ranging from 5 to 8 inches.  Circular needles are a little easier for beginners because they accomplish the same thing with only two needles instead of five.  They come in different lengths ranging from 16 to 48 inches, depending on the size of your project.

Sizes: Knitting needles are sized based on their diameter.  US sizes range from 0 (1.75 mm) to 50 (25 mm) and above.  The size you select is related to the weight of yarn you're using and the relative tightness or looseness of the stitches desired. 

All the rest

Stitch Markers: These help you remember where you are in the pattern without having to count all the stitches.  There are some very cute handmade ones available on Etsy. Check out sellers Reignbow Designs or Lynn Bates Designs, or you can tie a bow with a different colored scrap of yarn.

Tapestry Needles:  These are fat, blunt end needles, with a big eye. You will need this in almost any project to weave in the tails of yarn left at the beginning and end of your work.

Needle Point Protectors: Slide these on the end of your needles when you take a break to stop all your hard work from sliding off the end.

"A Little Blue" Treasury by beatknits

The Classic Cable Knit Bag was included in another treasury!  A Little Blue by beatknits features items with a beautiful shade of teal in them, or in my case the background.  Beautiful!

First Knitting Design Posted

Just as the first gold leaf fell outside, I (finally) finished my new design for the Classic Cable Bag.  The pattern is now available at Skadoot on Etsy. I just made it out to snap a couple of pictures before the next downpour started. Actually, I didn't quite beat the rain.  As early as it is, it seems that fall is officially here to stay.  That chill in the air can only mean one thing: it's time to get cozy and start your fall knitting projects!

This wool and leather bag is the perfect fall accessory. You will get lots of attention carrying your handmade bag. Wear it casual with jeans, or pair it up with a trendy plaid skirt and boots.  

My prototype bag was knit with 100% natural undyed bulky weight wool. It requires about 160 yards of yarn on Size 10/ 6.0 mm needles. It is fully lined with 100% cotton fabric and trimmed with soft brown leather. There is a pocket inside, perfect for making cell phone or keys easy to find. The strap is also leather. Brass rings and screws provide additional detail.

This pattern is ideal for any level of knitter from Beginner to Advanced. If you can knit and purl, and you're willing to try out a couple of cables, you can knit this pattern.  This five page PDF pattern includes the knitting pattern with instructions for finishing, complete with detailed color pictures for every step. No felting necessary. While I used leather to trim this bag, you could easily substitute any fabric of your choice.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55795150/classic-cable-knit-bag-pdf-pattern