Those of us who knit know what a relaxing and soothing activity it can be. It is also a way of creating useful items of clothing that can be worn by the whole family or given as gifts on birthdays or holidays. Knitting will give you great pleasure as you create items using beautiful yarn textures and colors. If you are starting to feel intimidated at the very thought of it you may be delighted to know that you can learn the basics of knitting in only five easy steps.
It's easier than you think so why not give it a try. This article covers the basics of yarn and needles and teaches you how to create a slip knot, cast on, do a knit row, purl and bind off your work. Once you learn the basics of knitting you can choose a simple starter pattern and get going on your first creation.
* Different Types of Yarn
Each pattern you attempt will require the use of a specific type of yarn to create the right tension for the garment. Some even require a specific brand of yarn.
Each yarn has a different thickness or weight from the finest (fingering) to the thickest (bulky). The word 'ply' refers to the number of strands that are woven together to create the yarn. The yarn's 'fiber content' indicates whether it is made of natural or synthetic fibers or a combination of the two. Acrylics are synthetics and wash easily and are ideal for people who are sensitive to wool products. Always read the yarn label to glean as much information as possible about it before you buy.
