Knitting 101 For Beginners - Here's a Resource Guide To Help You Get Started

That's great you are interested in learning to knit. If you like to learn by watching videos, be sure to check out our quick How To Knit videos here.

Why Learn To Knit?

There's a host of reason but here are few! 

• Knitting is relaxing and relieves stress
• Knitting is a social activity you can enjoy with others
• Knitting allows you to user your brain and could help in the delay or prevention of alzheimer's and dementia
• Knitting allows you to be creative
• The basics are simple....just 2 stitches. The Knit and the Purl. 

You can also view our vast library of videos and tutorials on YouTube & Instagram using the links below.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/alpacadirect

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpacadirect

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlpacaDirect/videos/

We have a weekly live show called "Technique Tuesday" at 9:30am pst you can watch on Facebook to get tips on the latest projects and knitting techniques. 

For thousands of years knitting has been practiced as both a necessity for living and a form of creative expression.  Most histories of knitting place its origin somewhere in the Middle East, and from there it spread to Europe by Mediterranean trade routes and later to the Americas with European colonization.  That said, knitting also dated back pre-colonization in South America where Peruvians were knitting elegant tapestries for royalty. If you are every in Lima, be sure to visit the Amano Museum for an amazing tour of pre-columbian artwork and textiles. 

Unlike the majority of modern knitters, during the early years of knitting in Europe, knitting was the domain of men.  Later on as it was popularized, it caught on among women too, not only as a profession but also as a hobby.

In Britain it became a popular with the country exporting large amounts of knitted stockings and eventually other apparel like hats, sweaters and scarves.

Today knitting has again been gaining in popularity around the work as a creative hobby among millenials and others embracing the DIY movement.  During times of economic strife like during the great depression, knitting became a necessity as to keep warm with sweaters and other apparel that was too expensive to purchase.  Darning sockswas also popular as a way to extend the useful life of socks with an economic way to repair holes in socks and other knitwear. 

Now sharing ideas for knitting techniques has been made popular by quick and easy knitting videos such as ours that quickly show you step by step how to accomplish a specific knitting technique. 

Browse our complete collection of circular knitting needles for sale here. To get started, simply browse through the collection of resources below!

Here's a review of our most popular circular knitting needles.

Popular Brands of Knitting Needles

In modern knitting there are many types of knitting needles and many various manufacturers all over the world.  The most popular manufacturer of quality circular needles is Addi in Germany.  The Addi Turbo Circular needles are made of nickel plated aluminum with a very smooth join where the needle meets the cable.  Addi also makes a bamboo circular needle as well as lace circulars which have a sharper point for smaller yarn.  They come with a lifetime warranty and are available in nearly every knitting shop across the country. 

Here's the smooth joins on Addi Circular Needles

Another very popular brand are the Chiaogoo circular needles. The Chiaogoo brand stands for "highly skillful and crafty lady” and pronounced “chaw-goo”.  ChiaoGoo surgical-grade stainless steel needles have a smooth, satin finish that minimizes reflections. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to nickel but still prefer a lightweight metal needle, these are a great choice instead of nickel-plated needles. ChiaoGoo tips are among the sharpest in the industry, and favored by knitters requiring precision for lace or sock projects.

Prefer wood or bamboo? Using ChiaoGoo bamboo needles is environmentally friendly as bamboo is a quickly renewable resource.  Bamboo needles are approximately 60% lighter than aluminum needles of the same size, making it more comfortable for you, the knitter/crocheter.  Bamboo needles are very strong.  Fibers under the bamboo’s skin are extremely elastic and have tensile strength comparable to steel!  Chiaogoo knitting needles are far superior than clover with precision quality and great price point.

Another popular brand of knitting needle is Knitter's Pride.  Knitter's Pride Needles are precision crafted and are a superior quality needle, produced in a variety of finishes from bamboo, carbon fiber, steel and even in square needles for those with arthritis! They also carry a full line of interchangeable needles. 

Here's a video to get you started

Materials Needed

• Knitting Needles – Learn how to choose the most appropriate type of knitting needles for your skill level and project.
• Knitting Yarns – Here are yarns we carry at Alpaca Direct where we provide detailed reviews of each yarn
• How to Grade Alpaca Yarns – Learn how Alpaca and other natural fibers are graded for softness and texture.
• Learn about weights of yarns - Yarns have weights from Lace to super bulky. Learn how to choose and what's best for you. 
• Stitch Markers – Find out how to use stitch markers to keep your projects on track
• Choosing Needles – Have a look at the different types of needles and the results they produce.

Simple Techniques and Process of Knitting

• Knitting Patterns – Access a series of patterns and instructions for different types of knitting projects.
• Knitting Videos – The video resources on this page offer help with knitting techniques as well as troubleshooting.
• How to Knit a scarf – Learn the basic steps of knitting in a quick video tutorial and make your first project.
• How to fix a dropped stitch – Follow a step-by-step guide to learn how to fix a dropped stitch when knitting.
• Goal Setting - Learn to set realistic goals for your knitting journey

Where to Purchase Knitting Supplies

• Circular Knitting Needles - browse our huge selection of circular knitting needles from Chiaogoo, Addi Turbo and Knitter' Pride needles.
  
• Double Point Knitting Needles - choose from bamboo, hard wood and steel in a variety of lengths.
• Single Point or Straight Knitting Needles - Single Point knitting needles are the most common traditional style of needle browse our huge selection.
• Knitting Patterns - find free patterns as well as some of the most popular knitting patterns in the world for sale on our website.
• Needle Felting Supplies -browse dyed felting wool, books on needle felting, felting needles and more.
• Knitting Yarn - browse one of the largest selections of wool knitting yarn in the craft industry from domestic farms to exotic cashmere wool blends.
• Soap for handwashing handknits -The best way to care for hand knit garments is with wool wash products that require no rinsing.

If you're interested in learning more about knitting, crochet or handspinning don't forget to follow our Youtube & Instagram for new tips, tricks and inspiration!