Learn How To Knit - Do Knitting Patterns Leave You All Fingers And Thumbs

Want to learn how to knit or crochet - but find every time you cast on stitches you tend to be all fingers and thumbs. Well fret not because help for those wanting to learn how to knit or crochet is available.

Over 24 million people love crafting with yarn and believe it or not - some of that total is men, the male species love to knit or crochet just as much as women. Hobbies that involve knitting, sewing or the following of a pattern (dressmaking) can be very rewarding (financially). Being handy with a needle and cotton or knitting needles is a cost affective chore for the housewife on a budget as in i.e. knitting a cardigan, jumpers or woolly socks for the kids.

To learn how to knit or crochet is quite simple, some reasons why people love to knit a hat, gloves or crochet a baby shawl is because they find it satisfying and enjoy the relaxing effect it gives helping to relieve stress.

Once you learn how to knit or crochet you may find yourself inundated with orders for fair aisle sweaters or baby bonnets. Knitted garments make great gifts. This is a social activity where friendship still prevails while you learn. It is also a portable hobby - so where ever you go your knitting goes too. Once you have mastered the art people will take notice of your originality in design - which can lead to knitwear orders. Why so many people knit, dress-make and crochet is because of the pleasure gained working with yarn textures. Get to know your wool when you learn how to knit or crochet. There are five basic types of yarn: Baby fingering, sport baby worsted weight, chunky and bulky

Expect to find type differences; yarns have different thickness or "weights," with fingering being the finest. Terms are used to differentiate knitting yarns, for example the term "ply," refers to the number of strands that were twisted together to form the yarn. Yarn content or "fibre content" states what the yarn is made of: synthetic or natural fibres. Knowledge on craft materials will give better insight as to what is best suited for different projects. Synthetic yarns, like acrylics wash easily. Materials as such are worn by people whose skin is rather sensitive to wool.

Follow all instructions accordingly on yarn labels. Information may include - the sort of wool it is, the amount and/or yardage in the ball or skein, gauge and fibre content.

Check for freebies (patterns) on the label. Have practice knitting sessions before embarking on any project that may involve other than plain or pearl stitches. Go to a jumble sale and pick up unused balls of wool or un-ravel an old knitted jumper for your first attempt - this will save on the pennies. Seamstresses who professionally knit or crochet woolly blankets and patchwork quilts for the cold winter months - do so because of practice.

A crochet hook has a notch at one end for catching loops of yarn which draws them through stitches. Crochet hooks can be purchased in aluminium, plastic and wood (just like knitting needles). They are often recognized by a letter system for size marking. Sizes range between B (2.25 mm) to S (19 mm), the largest, and come in 6" lengths.

Use steel crochet hooks for crochet dainties like lace and doilies. These differ i.e. sizing range, using numbers from 00 (3.5 mm), the largest, to 14 (.75 mm), the smallest. When you learn how to knit or crochet you will need to know about needle sizes, different textures and yarns. Depending on the garment you tend on knitting will decipher what knitting pins to use. Pins are sold in pairs and come in various sizes, from 0 (2 mm), the smallest, to size 15 (10 mm) and larger and also come in 10" or 14" lengths. Usually an indication of the knitting pin size is located on the end of the straight needle.

If the woollies you choose to knit are clothing items like Afghans, then these can be worked in a tube without a seam. Circular (round) knitting needles can be used. These are long flexible needles with points at both ends. For less complicated tasks that do not have seams (booties and mittens) "double-pointed knitting needles" are used. Sold in sets of four and as the name indicates, there is a point on each end. Once you learn how to knit - then the knitting pattern that once looked complicated to you begins to make sense - therefore resulting in casting on and casting off with your eyes closed.