I Taught Myself Knitting Beginners Kit

This is the simplest "teach yourself" kit I have seen, though the techniques for the more complicated techniques are not as detailed as they could be, all that you need to get started is here.

With this book and a ball or two of yarn (I like Lion Brand Homespun because it hides any mistakes), this makes a very good beginning for someone who has never knit.

I used the tools in this kit to learn how to knit. For the most part, I was able to use the instruction book to learn. I did utilize web videos as well, but the illustrations in the book are clear and useful to tell how the yarn should be placed. As far as all the tools that the kit includes, I am still a bit unsure how to use them, though it doesn't seem like you really need them all in the beginning. Overall this kit, the internet, and some yarn can essentially get you started.

Not a bad price whether purchased in craft stores or online, this basic kit from needle maker Boye has all the basic stuff a knitter just learning the craft will need:

A pattern book w/intructions
2 pairs of metal knitting needles (size 6 and 8)
1 metal cable stitch needle
1 metal stitch holder
1 plastic stitch guage/mini ruler
1 pair of rubber knitting needle point protectors
2 plastic yarn needles
a set of plastic stitch markers/rings
a plastic knitting tally, aka stitch counter

I paid less for the kit than if purchasing each item separately.

The book has some black and white and some color photos, basic instructions, and approximately 20 patterns for wearable/usable items. I like the fur-edged sweater, particularly---but it is a starter book, and you may want or need more help to master some stitches.

For example, I had no trouble casting on, or knitting and purling, using these instructions, but needed more help for making a cable. I used free tutorials and links to videos I found at several online craft websites (Joannes, Michaels, Knitty, Hobby Lobby, etc), for that. Sometimes seeing IS believing.

I've crocheted and loom knitted (rake knitted) for years, and attempted to learn to knit before, too, but sometimes I read things over and over--and over---and just can not visualize what is meant. I was flummoxed by "toward the front of the work" and "as if for purling" in the same sentence. Then I saw a cable being knit by someone else and it smacked me right in the face. I said, "Of course, that's what they mean!"

The book might not be basic enough for some beginners, and some of the patterns are more challenging and suited to an advanced beginner, rather than a brand-new knitter. For truly visual learners, there are some great books and dvds out there in the Teach Yourself Visually series, which better show you in step-by step pictures, how to learn this craft. But the dvd by itself in that series retails for twice the price of this kit, so I think this is a good value.

I made two cabled pincushions out of my practice pieces, which I stuffed with steel wool to keep the pins sharp, the very first day. I guess an old dog CAN learn new tricks.

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