Hey Mal! I Was Thinking About Getting Into Knitting And I Was Wondering What Sorts Of Projects Youd Recommend

hey mal! i was thinking about getting into knitting and i was wondering what sorts of projects you’d recommend for beginners? and also i was just wondering what sorts of things you like to make?

scarves are a classic for beginners (since they can be made just with the knit stitch, it means you get a lot of practice on that stitch), but they also can take quite a while unless you use super bulky yarn. but if you do use super bulky yarn, i’d say a scarf is a good idea ! i didn’t look for any patterns for this one cause. you don’t need one, you just cast on some stitches (with super bulky yarn you’d cast on between 10-20 stitches depending on how wide you want it), knit for about 6-8 feet, and then cast off.

alternately, fingerless gloves are very good for beginners ! they can be very simple–you can make them with worsted weight yarn and just knit two squares and then sew the sides together. here’s a couple of patterns: this one can be done knowing only the knit stitch, and this one is a little more advanced, and uses purl stitches as well

i also think cowls are very good first projects for learning to knit in the round–you need to know how to use circular needles, and also (generally) knit and purl. here’s a couple of patterns: this one is bulky weight and very simple and uses knit and purl stitches, this one is worsted weight and you only need to know the knit stitch, this one is basically the same as the one before but with bulky weight yarn, and this one switches between rows of knitting and purling

hats are just a little more difficult–you need the same skills as cowls, but you also need to know how to decrease. patterns: this one uses super bulky yarn, so it’ll go very quickly, and this one is with worsted weight yarn

i personally have knit an awful lot of hats, but i like knitting cowls and socks as well. i like the idea of knitting bigger things (like sweaters) but I haven’t actually gotten around to it yet.

I’m also in the “likes knitting but is terrified of socks” category, do you have any tips on needle gauge, material, or patterns?

Yes!!

Knitting Socks 101

I like this Basic Sock pattern because this one works with both fingering/sock weight yarn, and has instructions for worsted weight as well.

What Yarn to Buy

So, if you have never knitted socks before, using a worsted weight is nice because they will knit up a lot faster.

If you don’t mind hand washing and laying flat to dry, Wool of the Andes is a nice, inexpensive wool, that knits up into a cozy pair of socks.

If you need to be able to wash and dry your socks in a machine, you’ll want superwash yarn. There’s a Wool of the Andes Superwash and a Swish Superwash. You will pay a little more for the superwash in the wool.

Another option is an acrylic yarn. There’s Brava which is really cheap, but not a terrible yarn. For your very first pair, this might be what I’d pick if you are really uncertain. But I will generally always prefer a wool.

And of course there is also a huge amount of fingering weight options available.

Knitting Needles

You can knit socks, two at a time, on a cable needle, but I personally prefer double pointed needles.

It’s personal preference whether you like metal, plastic, or wooden needles. I personally am in LOVE with bamboo needles.

Specifically the Caspian Needles from Knit Picks. But any DPNs you’re comfortable with will do!

For fingering/sock yarn you’ll want size 1 or 1 ½. And for worsted you’ll want size 3.

Second Sock Syndrome

What often happens, when a person makes one sock, is that doing the second sock of the pair can feel like a slog, lol. To combat this, it’s usually suggested to knit both at the same time.

I will generally do the cuff up to the heel flap on one, then on the next. Then the heel flap on one, and the next. Then turn, then the foot, then the toe - working first one sock, then its twin.

Stitches You Need to Know

People are always so intimidated by socks, but the trick is to take it one stitch at a time. Don’t try and wrap your brain around the entire process, just follow each step of the instructions.

To knit a sock using the pattern I linked you’ll need to know

knit in the round on DPNs (not as tough as it seems!)

how to long tail or cable cast on

knit and purl

knit two together (and purl two together)

slip slip knit

pick up a stitch

And that’s it. All very, very basic knitting stitches.

I hope that helps!

My Lunar Chronicles girls. It’s been a while since I drew them (:

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again but it is absolutely an example of civilizational inadequacy that only deaf people know ASL

“oh we shouldn’t teach children this language, it will only come in handy if they [checks notes] ever have to talk in a situation where it’s noisy or they need to be quiet”

not EVERY bard has to be scanlan fucking shorthalt guys where’d the orpheus types go? where are the poets? the artists? where are the bards who sing so beautifully that their songs become magic and the world around them shifts to fit the tune? where are those born with music in their blood, who sing lullabies as children and find magic and wonder weaving between their tiny hands? just because they have high charisma doesn’t mean they have to be horny bastards. that’s not the point!!!!!! that’s not what being a bard is about!!!!!!! if it’s a side effect, fine, but that’s not! what! being! a! bard! is!

I’ve started a series where I wanted to do modernized!Shakespeare. I don’t think its finished but these are some of my favorite characters so far. A few things:

The men in Midsummer Night’s Dream are so awful.. @willy shakes set the women free please…. set them free. also let the ladies date

[looks at my half-dozen drawing of Benvolio/Mercutio vs. my single drawing for Romeo/Juliet] What do you mean Bencutio isn’t the main couple in R&J?

#LetBenvolioSayFuck2k17

I kept the soccer thing for Viola & Duke… She’s the Man is flawed but it’s also my childhood just let me keep the soccer thing

I demand more genderqueer Viola

Shoutout to anyone who picks up on Hippolyta’s outfit i know its rly obvious but just. shoutout

Hero deserves so much better than Claudio. Hence, the obvious Hamilton…. In fact there’s a lot of designs clearly inspired by certain actors…..

One old Mercutio designs is inspired by @crystallizedtwilight which im like 90% sure their design is also inspired by certain R&J production’s character design but anyways credit to them