How to Get Started Knitting

Beginner … all over again

Say you’ve been a knitter before, but not for years and years. How do you get back on the horse? “There are a lot of exciting new yarns, like the new finger ‘loop’ yarns, which takes finger knitting [without needles] to an entirely new level,” Bessonette says. “There have also been a lot of other new yarns coming out in the past couple years that feature fun colors and self-striping, like ‘cake’ yarn, which comes in fun shapes and vibrant color combinations.

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The maker movement has also shifted focus to the process rather than just the final product. “People love doing what it takes to make something beautiful and share their experience,” Bessonette says. “They also love the slow-down benefit that comes with an involved craft like knitting. People are really interested in the stories behind yarn artists and the process behind their work.”

There's no wrong way to knit. “And there's no right or wrong type of person to be a knitter — any age, any income level, any race, man or woman,” says Ariel Johnson of the San Francisco Knitting Bridge. “You can create things as simple as that garter-stitch scarf that is so often a first project, or as complicated as the most intricate garment. You can create them for yourself or for other people. You can use expensive materials or inexpensive.” 

A side benefit is the social aspect. Research from the Craft Yarn Council in 2017 shows that 41 percent of people are inspired by friends and family to learn the craft. “Yarn crafts provide a simple yet effective way for people to relate to others and engage with their peers,” Bessonette says.

There is also an intergenerational hook, so to speak. “The CYC has heard of many stories of current knitters and crocheters learning the craft from their grandmother and the special bond it has created between them,” Bessonette adds. “More men are starting to share their crafts with the world as well. Hashtags like #realmenknit and #menwhoknit have blown up on social media."

Yarn crafts are also good for the soul and can be a rewarding part of self-care. Craft Yarn Council research found that:

• 94 percent said the skills help them relax.
• 80 percent said the skills help reduce stress.
• 70 percent said it improves their mood.
• 60 percent said it helps decrease anxiety.
• 47 percent said it improves their concentration

Indeed, the benefits go beyond just the end results. “I have seen so many new knitters get discouraged and give up too early,” Butler-Gluck says. “Knitting is not about being perfect. It is about embracing the mistakes.”