Knitting people

[Deleted]

Yarn thickness and size of needle usually go hand in hand, so if you're using a fine yarn, a fingering weight (sock yarn) or a mohair, you're going to be using tiny needles and if you're using a big, chunky yarn you're going to be using bigger needles.

This does not always hold true, but is generally true.

It's good to start with a very simple scarf pattern for a first project. A garter scarf for your daughter might be a good choice.

One of the most important elements are creating speed in knitting is to make sure you are working with your yarn close to the tip/end of the needles so that you are passing each stitch from one needle to the other quicker.

It may be very helpful to meet with other knitters. See if there is a meetup in your area or check with your local library and see if they have a knitting get together.

eta: Also, knitting usually takes a big investment of time for me.  I don't know what other people's experience is, but I usually have to give a lot to it to finish projects. 

[Deleted]

That looks great, Jillian!

[konapoppy]

Nice job!

Yes, use bigger needles or you will be working on that forever. The blanket I am working on uses size 10 needles.

But in my experience, pretty much all knitting takes longer than I would like (except baby sweaters and socks).

Enjoy!

[konapoppy]

And like PP said, use thicker yarn with bigger needles. The yarn packaging should say the size needles and gauge to help you.

[oregonpachey]

Practice is what made me knit faster. And I agree with the other posters that you could go up a needle size or two. That yarn looks so soft!

[kaybee85]

Also, eventually or becomes kind of mindless and quicker to do as you get more comfortable.

Looks great

[ElizabethBennet]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y547Q5Hjcuo

I taught myself this technique and it helps knitting go a lot faster, but mostly it's all just practice. You'll gain speed as you knit more, and it looks like you're off to a good start.

[PinkSquirrel]

I'd recommend starting with a worsted weight scarf on size 7 needles. Just a simple garter stitch (knit right side, purl wrong side). It's what we recommend at my local shop

[Deleted]

The longer you knit, the faster you can do it, it's a muscle memory thing. I've been knitting for 15 years now, and if I'm doing stockinette I don't even need to look at it--I can knit it while walking around, or watching TV in a dark room. I'm making a cowl right now as my commute project and I just stare out the window while I knit.

Most of the patterns I like tend to be knit on size 5 through 8 needles, though I do a lot of small projects in 0, 1 & 2s.

[mich1]

Oct 24, 2014 10:57:08 GMT -5 ElizabethBennet said:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y547Q5Hjcuo

I taught myself this technique and it helps knitting go a lot faster, but mostly it's all just practice. You'll gain speed as you knit more, and it looks like you're off to a good start.

I learned to crochet first, so when I started knitting I used this technique, only holding the yarn in my left hand, not my right.  I use my right needle to go pick up a loop of yarn.  It goes much faster IMO than releasing the needle to go loop the yarn around the right needle.