In my lifetime, I have attempted to learn how to knit about two times, without success. For the past two or so years, I’ve really concentrated on crochet with the idea that at some point, once I get a little better at crochet, I might try knitting again. Well, now is that time.

Often when I read about people learning to knit it is because they like the patterns available to knitters versus crocheters, but I can’t really say that is the case with me. I can find plenty of things to crochet. My reasons are because (1) my left hand is really being a problem lately due to arthritis, and I’m hoping I can maybe learn enough knitting basics that I can still yarn craft but ease up on the use of my left hand a little, especially if I learn the English versus continental method, I can switch back and forth between the two and give it a break and (2) I just want to learn how to do it, darn it. I don’t need to become a master at it; I just want to be able to make a few items like scarves, hats, and dish clothes. I never imagine myself attempting something like a sweater!

Locally, there really isn’t much in the way of help for learning how to knit. I called JoAnn’s, which is in the county south of me, and the two people I spoke to couldn’t tell me anything. In fact, I had to tell them the class schedule that I had pulled off the Internet. That didn’t give me a lot of confidence in spending $35 for a class there.

Luckily, I have the Internet, and I have found a few really good resources. One, of course, is Ravelry.com, in particular the group called “I Wish I Could Knit.” The moderator there is wonderful, and everyone is really nice.

Another resource I learned about after yapping about this on Facebook is Knitfreedom.com. I downloaded the free ebook from there, and I’m super impressed. It has embedded video, and she goes from the very beginning, even telling you how to pull the yarn from the skein, and teaches you to knit as you make a scarf.  I plan on making a trip this week to Michael’s and pick up the yarn and needles she suggest to use for the project. Knock on wood, they have them.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress. So far, I’ve been playing around with the one pair of needles that I have and various types of yarn, and while I’m not completely discouraged, I can tell this is going to be an up-hill battle!