Last night I stopped by a craft store to pick up some basics for learning to knit. Although I could have easily gotten carried away in the yarn section, I maintained surprising discipline, leaving with a functional list of items to get me started: three balls of worsted cotton yarn, bamboo needles, and a “how-to book.” (There were two books for newbies. This was chosen solely on it not having “Dummies” in the title.) When the house quieted down, I worked through the first part of the Art of Knitting DVD recommended by Susan.
The video teaches the two-needle method for casting on. After practicing it for an hour, I think I get the concept, but I was having problems bringing the left needle in front of and through the loop on the right needle. I was able to do ten in a row, with only a couple of odd twists. (No problem, just tug on it and start over.) Tonight I want to try the “thumb method” recommended by the book. The book also offers suggestion for left-handed knitters, but I don’t have left-handed needles.
Deepest Africa, by the Chenille Sisters
[…]
I was in deepest Africa,
Yes I was, yes I was.
I was in deepest Africa,
Teaching a gnu to knit.Each stitch that gnu would knit
He would throw a fit
like a gnu knit-wit.
I was in deepest Africa,
Teaching a gnu to knit. (Knit 1, purl 2; knit1, purl 2)