Knitting pressie help

Gerry.L

Hope this is the right place to ask.

I was thinking of getting the mother a knitting kit for xmas. She can do a small bit of knitting and crocheting already. But just the bare basics really.

Obviously I dont know anything about knitting. So can anyone recommend what all I should get her. Like what needles and what wools etc... Maybe a couple of easy patterns (hope thats what you call them)- and what should I avoid.

Incase it helps, she always talked about wanting to knit teddies and other small toys... So maybe if I could put together a small box of stuff geared for that it would be great.

looksee

What a nice idea! This site http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/patterns.html has lovely patterns, and while some of them are very complex, there are some simpler ones, and the pattern books would inspire you to start knitting.

I have linked to you a 'free patterns' page, but on the main pattern books page there is one that has teddies to knit.

So you start with a pattern, which will tell you what kind of yarn to get. An inexpensive synthetic double knit will be fine for toys, you will need a few different colours, and some 4mm needles. If you go into a knitting shop they will advise you, but that is basically all you need.

There are thousands of free patterns on the internet, have a look at Ravelry.com for lots of knitting related info.

Das Kitty

The Jean Greenhowe ones are very easy to follow and have great results. However if she is a beginner she may not be totally familiar with the abbreviations and terms. A lot of pattern books give you a glossary but they never go into the detail of the how-to. I have a book (that I got for about 15 on Play.com) called The Ultimate Knitting Bible. It's very good for explaining the processes.

If you want to get her yarn, for projects like teddies and toys, small amounts of different coloured yarns is best. It doesn't need to be soft or good quality because no one is going to wear it. I use Robin Double Knit, it comes in small 25g balls and larger 100g balls

Needles are all up to preference. Personally I love my circular bamboo needles, I use them for everything. I got a set on Ebay, certain knitting shops will have them in stock. If you're going with Jean Greenhowe the only size you need is 3mm. You will also need a darning needle for sewing up and some toy stuffing.

Eibhin

Hi Gerry
Log onto www.theyarnroom.ie and ring Stephanie. She is brilliant and will guide you extremely well. I rang her once and asked her to send me a surprise in the post to a certain value. I am a pretty basic knitter. She sent me a surprise package of beautiful Noro wool, needles and a pattern for a simple cowl (neck warmer!)

She will answer any questions you have. Her shop is based in Ashford, Co. Wicklow and well worth a visit if you can but otherwise her online shop is brill too.
Good luck, it's a great present to give anyone and you can't go wrong!!

QuadLeo

Related to the op's question.

I want to buy a magazine subscription for a relation for xmas. Does anybody have any suggestions for a good monthly knitting magazine that's available in Ireland? There are hundreds of results from google but I want to be sure it's a decent subscription before I order it.

Any help is appreciated

trishw78

I'm not sure if there's an Irish knitting mag but I here good things about
http://yarnforwardmagazine.co.uk/