New to Knitting

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I recently took a beginning knitting class and loved it! Does anyone have a recommendation for a good book for beginning knitters that can help me get started with using patterns, special stitches, etc? My BFF is pregnant with her first baby and my ultimate goal is to be able to knit a blanket for her.

TIA!

[mom of princess]

not sure of your age or sarcasm level but you could try the Stitch & B*@!h book series. I learned to knit at our local Joann's (30 minute intro to try to get you to sign up for a class) by an employee and she recommended those to me. The books have some easy patterns in the beginning and walk you thru how to do the stitches. They also have some cool patterns in the back of the book - not sure which book it is since I have them all but I made black wristbands with silver beads in the shape of skull & crossbones for my nephews and a red beaded heart-breaker wristband for my niece.

Good luck & if you need any help in the future just PM me!:)

[runskyhy]

Until you find book you like, there are alot of great websites that have excellent information and free patterns.

Some with glossaries, abbreviations, and stitches:
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/learn.htm
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/learn-home.html
http://www.knittinghelp.com/

Both Joann's Fabrics and Lion Yarn websites have some fun free patterns you can browse through.

[LipglossAndLetdown]

I liked reading websites when I taught myself to knit. Thay way it was free LOL :) I did like the Debbie MacComber pattern books. There wasn't alot of instruction about technique in them, but I'm a jump in and do it kind of gal, and the books (I started with the baby blanket one) had patterns for beginner through advanced and explained how to cast on, bind off and do all the stitches necessary for each of the patterns so I was able to teach myself as I went. It also had beautiful color pictures of each of the blankets, which I enjoyed because I need to see what something will look like before I start it.

I've also found some good used books at our Local Liberary's Used Book sale. Last year, I got a Vogue Knitting hard cover book probably from the late 80's for a few bucks. It covers absolutely everything about anything I need to know for knitting. I was so pumped I found it :)

[katel]

If you haven't yet, check out ravelry DOT com (sorry, I'm new so I can't post links yet!). It's a knitting/crocheting community, so you can ask questions as they come up, and they have a really cool pattern search feature. Have fun on your new endeavor! :goodvibes

[candyfloss]

Knitting for baby (http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Baby-How-Knit-Instructions/dp/1584796804/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282939969&sr=8-1) is an awesome learn to knit book, with lots and lots of useful baby items. From very very simple to more complex.