Learning to Knit: Part #1 - The Washcloth

I have always wanted to learn how to knit. Growing up I was a crafter, I admit I tried my hand at a lot of different crafting projects. Some projects I finished and did well with, others well lets not really talk about them today. 

Over the last few months I have been watching all the neat things my friend JoAnne has been coming up with - socks, mitts, hats, shawls, scarves. I have been wanting to learn for so long how to knit but really didn't have anyone to help me. I tried a few times and each time I got frustrated with how long it took and how hard it was. Guess what? Basic knitting isn't hard I was just doing it wrong. 

Now that I have been shown how to do a basic knit I have finished my very first knitting project! It feels wonderful and I am very excited to learn more stitches to make other things. 

I want to share this with my you as I know a few of you are knitters - if you are leave a comment below and let me know if you are on Ravelry.com or have a knitting blog.

JoAnne had said the best thing for me to start with was a dishcloth and the very basic Grandma style cloths we all grew up around. Here is the pattern I used and my progress. I finished this in two days. I would say it likely 4+ hours maybe a little more. I didn't check the times. I am sure I will get faster as I make more. 

Yarn: 100% cotton 

Needles: 8 or .5mm

Instructions: 

Cast on 4 

Row 1: Knit 4
 
Row 2: Knit 2, yarn over, knit rest of row.
 
Repeat Row 2 until you have 45 or 50 stitches on the needle (depends on how big you want the wash/dishcloth, I did 45). 

Now you are going to start the decreasing rows as follows: 
Knit 1 Knit 2 together Yarn over Knit 2 together again and then knit to end of the row. 

Repeat until you have 4 stitches left. 

Knit 2 together 

Knit last 2 together 

Tie a knot you are finished! 

A BIG Thank You to JoAnne for getting me going on this project and pointing me in the right direction. I look forward to making tons of great crafty knits! 

My next project? Another washcloth as I have 2 kids and my son wants one too! I am sure I will likely make a bunch as I love them for dishes. I also want to make a cute handband - just a basic thin one. I hope you will follow my adventures in learning to knit.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Posted in: Crafts,How To,Knitting