Beginning knitters often feel that they only have a few choices for their first projects. In most knitting books it is often suggested that after that first split and drop stitch filled swatch the new knitter should begin a Really Freaking Big Garter Stitch Scarf (RFBGSS). Theoretically this makes sense. After all, if one were to make a RFBGSS, the knit stitch would become automatic after the first few rows, thus making things easier later. However, this theory quickly falls apart when one didn’t get into knitting to make scarves. Personally, I wanted to make toques, although the reason I decided I had to learn how to knit was when I was working at a craft store and Bernat boa started coming through my till. I desperately needed a purple boa scarf, and since I didn’t know anyone who could knit…well, we know how that ended. I also think that over-practicing the knit stitch may make it more difficult for the new knitter to learn how to purl.
After my horrendous splitty garter and stockinette stitch swatch, I was confident to start making my first scarf, since that is what the book told me to do. I cast on with acrylic, variegated yarn with the US 6 (4 mm) needles that came in my kit and knit for about 18 inches before I got sick of it, cast off, sewed the two ends together and called it a tube hat. After that, I decided I knew what I was doing, and made a hat knit in stockinette stitch, complete with decreases and purling. You know what? It turned out pretty good…good enough that I made a nearly identical one for a Christmas present the next month. I have since made a number of scarves, but I honestly wouldn’t suggest doing one for a first project. The most important reason is that after a while, in my case 18 inches, it’s BORING. And the exact opposite of instant gratification, which I am all about.
This brings me to my suggestion for first projects. I recommend wrist warmers, aka fingerless gloves. They’re also great for practicing and learning new techniques, playing with a new yarn, using up that tiny amount of gorgeous expensive yarn and having instant gratification. For worsted weight yarn held single strand, I recommend US 8 (5 mm) needles and cast on between 30 and 36 stitches. For worsted weight held double strand, try 24-30 stitches. The blue and black glove at the top of the page was two strands of Bernat Satin held together.
To practice just garter stitch, loosely cast on your beginning row, then knit every row until it’s as long as you want (6 inches for short wrist warmer, or all the way up the arm practically to the shoulder) and cast off loosely leaving a long tail when you break (cut) your yarn. Using your choice of seam (I use some strange made up stitch that I really ought to retire…), stitch up the length of the knitting to where you want your thumb opening, stitch along one side to carry the yarn up over the opening and stitch the last few rows closed. I try to make the thumb opening about 10 rows and the top 5 rows. The beauty of this pattern is that it is completely customizable to the wearer.
Want to practice purling? Do a K2P2 rib for the rectangle, making sure that you cast on a multiple of four stitches, or else try moss stitch (K1P1, then knit the purls and purl the knits on the next row.) For the blue and black gloves, I cast on 28 stitches, did a K2P2 ribbing for 15 rows, stockinette for 20 rows and another 5 rows of K2P2. I love ribbed stitch because it's so forgiving. It will stretch out for you, and it will also fit snugly if it's too big. The dark blue/purple/green/brown gloves were made by casting on 36 stitches. The picture on the keyboard shows how small they appear...and that's before I stitched the edges together! The next picture shows how they look with one pair on and one off.
Try doing this on double pointed needles or a really short circular needle. For the thumb hole, don’t continue the knitting, just turn your work and go back the other way. When the thumb hole is long enough, continue knitting in the round. Try cabling! Run a cable up the rectangle just off of centre. Lace? Find a lace pattern you like online or in a stitch dictionary.
Good luck!
