Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the Absolute Beginner [Paperback]

'This is one of the best beginners knitting books I have ever seen' --Read Craft Newsletter, Oct-Dec 2008

"Full of absolute beginner-proof instructions and patterns. The must-have accessory this winter " --The Sunday Telegraph

"This comprehensive resource is a must-have for the new generation of knitters" --Craftsman Magazine

"Full of absolute beginner-proof instructions and patterns. The must-have accessory this winter "

There's a new generation of knitters out there, turning the traditional image of granny-knitters on its head. Everyone has heard the mantra 'Knitting is the new yoga' but not everyone is lucky enough to have someone to show them the ropes and get them started on their very first row. Unless they have a friend or relative to teach them how to start, often would-be knitters turn to the so-called 'beginners patterns' but these can be confusing, difficult to follow, and more often than not written in 'knit' rather than English. This book will be a tried and tested guide for people at the very beginning of their knitting lives, looking for guidance and patterns for projects that they can use to make that first all-important step to 'Beyond the Scarf'. Contents include: Knitting Basics: Getting Started; Knitter's First Project: The Scarf; Workshops: Decreasing; Creating a Rib; Changing Colour; Increasing; Finishing; Knitting a Flower; Cable: Making a Cable; Making a Cable Bag; Eyelets and so on...

Aneeta Patel is an artist and knitting teacher living in East London. She has been teaching knitting professionally for several years and holds classes in various locations around London. She specialises in beginners knitting, and also runs special events, knitting parties, and group and one-on-one sessions.

Aneeta runs Knitting SOS, a free service offering emergency knitting advice to (often frantic) knitters. Knitting SOS is held via a monthy drop-in clinic, telephone, text and email.

Aneeta Patel teaches knitting classes to all levels, including a variety of beginners' knitting classes at the fabulous Loop store in Islington, London. She also works with the British Hand Knitting Federation promoting knitting with a group called Relax and Knit and runs special events, knitting parties and takes group bookings. She has set up a free service offering emergency knitting advice to (often frantic) knitters which consists of a drop-in class at Loop once a month, and 24/7 help and advice via telephone or email. In addition,she is involved with the Working Well Trust, a charity for Bangladeshi women with mental health problems. Along with an art therapist, she also runs a workshop called 'Knitting for Quitting', helping smokers to give up.

Chapter One: Welcome to the wonderful world of knitting!

Hello, my name is Aneeta. I'm your knitting teacher. Have you ever knitted before? Not since you were little? Can't really remember anything? Well, don't worry - we are going to start from scratch.

I have been teaching knitting classes for a few years now; I teach men, women and children of all races, ages and backgrounds. The one thing every one of these people have in common is a desire to `make something'.

These days, our lives can be so fast-paced and the pressure to succeed (in material terms) so unrelenting that often there is little time left over for nurturing our creative and emotional wellbeing. Knitting is a craft that can be used as a creative outlet - you can produce something unique and original, and relax at the same time! I have a tendency to get a bit Zen about it, but I do truly believe that every ounce of creativity generated keeps the planet spinning. For me, one of the best things about knitting is that the whole exercise is packed full of `instant gratification.' Within a short time, with a relatively small amount of effort, anyone can produce something wearable, useful and beautiful.

Knitting is a fantastic creative force that can be harnessed to produce anything from a footie scarf for your Dad to a wrist-cuff for your wannabe rock-star little brother. Imagine the pleasure of someone asking where you bought that pretty scarf and being able to nonchalantly say, `I made it myself.' I hope that this book will start you on a lifetime addiction to knitting.