I’ve always wanted to be one of those moms who knits adorable baby hats and cozy blankets. But after success making one scarf, I started a sweater vest for Henry – and failed miserably. I put the needles away and and haven’t look at them in about three years. So when Kollabora asked me if I’d like to try one of their beginner knitting projects as part of their “learn to knit” month, I was ready to try again.
And let me just say, fingerless gloves are a WAY easier beginner project than a baby vest. Gloves are fast, easy and super cute. Kollabora sends you a kit of all the needed materials and you then follow the online instructions.
For a visual learner like me, the video tutorials were awesome. I watched the how to make a slip knot and cast on videos enough times for my daughter to ask, “Why is it taking you so many times Mommy?” But once you get in the knitting groove you can knock this project out while catching up on The Bachelor and Downton Abbey.
Beginner Knitting Tips
Since the instructions are online, I wanted to share my Knitting 101 tips:
- Don’t leave your knitting just lying around where your 2-year-old can grab it and pull it off the needles. I freaked out after just such a “Henry Happened” moment one morning. After getting it back on the needle I started hiding my knitting.
- If you decide to trim your cast on string, double check that you are cutting the right string. If you do manage to cut the main yarn (like I did) I recommend making a good knot and moving right along. It will blend in.
- Go with a light color yarn for your first project. The black yarn made it impossible to see the details of what I was doing.
- Don’t add any more than the recommended cast on stitches (15) just because you think it looks small. 17 is ginormous. Trust me.
- Making the gloves the same length was the hardest part for me. Despite measuring to the recommended 8 1/2 inches of length, one ended up a good inch longer than the other. So if you can remember to count how many knitting rows you do with the first glove, you can duplicate it with the second.
- Don’t let the kiddos get you down. On my first night of picking up the needles again Caroline kept asking, “Why is it taking you so long? Why is it so hard for you?” Encouraging, huh? At least it sparked a good conversation about sticking with something even when it’s hard. And that it’s okay to not be immediately great at a skill in the first five minutes. She loved watching me so I’m thinking of getting her a circle loom.
- Have fun with it! I jazzed up my gloves by stitching on a red heart.
My favorite thing about these gloves? You don’t have to take them off to use the phone!
Beginner Knitting Kit Giveaway
Want to learn to knit? Kollabora is giving away a beginner knitting kit to one lucky reader. Yay, you can make your own gloves!
Just visit Kollabora and leave a comment with your favorite project on the site. It doesn’t have to be a knitting project. It can be sewing or jewelry too. Please include the link to the project in your comment.
Thank you Kollabora! And happy knitting!
Such a perfect idea! And this year I decided knitting was a skill I wanted to learn – specifically so I could make my own fingerless gloves instead of buying them. This is a great way to jump right in and get started!
http://kollabora.com/community/knitting/projects/knockout-fingerless-gloves
I would love to make this: http://kollabora.com/community/knitting/projects/newbie-knitted-headband
Thanks for the awesome giveaway :)
Renee
fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com
I have always wanted to learn how to knit!!
this is so cute! http://kollabora.com/community/knitting/projects/newbie-knitting-headband
http://kollabora.com/community/knitting/projects/hera-oversized-sweater?#community/knitting/projects/hera-oversized-sweater? I love the Hera oversized sweater! It’s amazing!
These look great, maybe I could learn while you teach the little girls :)
These mitts are so cool! I’m also loving this wrap too. http://kollabora.com/community/knitting/projects/ruby-submarine-s-anchored-beach-wrap# This is the first time I’ve been on Kollabora – what a cool site!
I love all the projects on this site. Defiantly going to look for my next knitting project at Kollabora. My favorite project right now is http://kollabora.com/community/knitting/projects/cabled-pencil-case.
I really like your blog .. congratulations! beautiful creations! I invite you on my blog .. http://noxcreare.blogspot.it .. let me know what you think .. I’m also a creative
Noemi
Love those gloves! I was just trying on a fingerless pair of gloves today at Target. Wish I could knit too!
I love the gem pendant tutorial! So pretty. Thank you so much for the giveaway – I already know how to crochet, but I’d love to learn to knit!
i am all about fingerless gloves, but i am pretty sure knitting is out of my zone of things i can master!
brett
‘Why is it taking so long?’ Haha oh kids are so encouraging! I’m totally visual too. Unless I see something being done I have a tough time following instructions. Well done!
I love the little heart! This makes me want to get back into knitting. :)
I’m loving this rope necklace idea: http://kollabora.com/community/jewelry/projects/holst-lee-inspired-rope-necklace-alt-summit-challenge. I’ve been wanting to get back into jewelry making for a while now and this bright statement piece might push me a little closer!
http://kollabora.com/community/jewelry/projects/beginners-sawing-and-piercing-tutorial
I think this looks fun! And what a great site!!! Thanks for sharing!!
I couldn’t find it. Could you please help. Thank you. :)
I kept getting Oops messages! :( but this project is really cute.
:) I love this project: http://kollabora.com/community/jewelry/projects/shaggy-byzantine-chainmaille-earrings simple, but beautiful