I grabbed my new knitting needles, pulled my box of yarn from to the shelf in my closet, and set to finding tutorials for knitting.
I tried right-handed tutorials, I tried left-handed tutorials, I tried videos and articles, I just don’t understand. 😦
The picture is how far I’ve gotten. I’m not even sure that part is correct. And I can’t figure out how to do the next row. I know I’m supposed to “put the second needle through the first loop” and “wrap the yarn around the working needle” and “pull it through the loop” but what all that actually means in mechanics, I can’t figure it out. I’m not sure how the loop gets off the original needle, or what direction I’m supposed to be going through these loops, or, just pretty much anything.
I’m really sad.
I’m going to keep trying to find instructions I understand, though. I don’t want to give up.
If nothing else, maybe I can sneak into an assisted living home and one of the elderly ladies can teach me… Seriously, though, it shouldn’t be this hard to figure out, should it?
a2eternity 
Well, from the picture, I think your “cast on” look right to me. It took me forever to figure out how to knit. I finally had to have my ex’s mom teach me.
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Well, that’s something. The cast on seems simple enough. Why can’t the rest be like that?
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Once you figure your knit stitch, you’ll realize it’s even easier than casting on.
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It’s something that kind of needs to be taught by a real person, not an online tutorial. Wish I could help, but I’m not that stellar of a knitter myself… Guess you’ve got to go adopt a grandma 😉 Good luck!
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Have you tried YouTube videos? THat’s how I learned. Just pause and replay anything you dont understand
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I watched several. One of the biggest problems I am having is reversing directions. Like right now, even with my mom helping me, we’re having trouble going from right-handed knitting to left-handed.
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hmm.. I’m not entirely sure what you mean? I’ve never had to switch between right handed and left handed knitting for anything.
What are you trying to knit? I would suggest just trying to knit a square for now. That doesn’t require you to change anything.
If you are talking about starting a new row you can always just switch which hand you are hold the knitting needles in. This will allow you to knit in whichever hand (left or right handed) is most comfortable for you.
If you are still having trouble I would suggest maybe talking to someone in person because that is probably an easier way to learn. My mom worked at a nursing home and so she knew a lot of little old ladies that were more than happy to have me come in and spend some time with them to help me learn to knit. So thats always an option!
Good luck!! 🙂
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No, sorry, what I mean is that I’m left-handed, and everyone who makes the videos, and also my mom, are right-handed, so I have to reverse, or mirror, everything.
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Ohhh gotcha. Did u try looking for left handed videos?
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Yes.
I think I’ve finally got it, though.
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That’s great! 🙂
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I really second the YouTube recommendation. Your cast on looks far better than mine ever does, and I have been knitting since childhood, so don’t give up just yet.
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I don’t know if someone already said this (or even if you’d be interested or have time to get the supplies), but I’ve found that crochet is much easier and more fun than knitting. There are several videos on YouTube that are very useful in teaching beginners. It’s just a thought!
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Thank you for the suggestion. I agree, crocheting is a lot easier to learn. The reason I didn’t go with crocheting is because my sister crochets, she started before I was even born, and I was A) afraid of being compared to her in another area, and B) afraid of “encroaching” on her passion, as this happened with another sister when we were younger and it wasn’t good. (It’s too long of a story for a comment.)
Thanks again!
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