Knitting: Take 2

Sometime last year, I attempted to learn how to knit. The reason for this, I had bought thread for a crochet project but quickly realized it would be impossible to crochet with and so I decided: why not just use the thread and make a simple scarf. That lasted for about 3 weeks and then I dropped that project in a tin box and left it there.

I've decided to give knitting another try. Not because I really want to learn (no offense against knitters, I just have a have a hard time maneuvering the needles with both hands), but because I want to make a shawl for a friend for her special day. We won't say who or what just in case she finds this blog ;) 

I did some research, selected a bunch of shawls that attracted me and showed them to my mom for a second opinion. Right off the bat, I knew I was in trouble. All the shawls that I picked where knitting patterns and what you'd call patterns for the experienced knitter or the adventurous beginner. But that's okay, we all have to start somewhere.

My mom and I have very similar tastes and both picked the same pattern as our favorite. And out of ALL the patterns that were there, we had to pick the one that wasn't available to download online. I've placed an order for the book (which comes with a DVD) on Amazon and I really hope this knitting excursion will be a success because there are some gorgeous patterns in that book.

I have approximately 5 months to finish it. Plenty of time, but I really don't want to wait till next week for the book to come. I found some videos on YouTube that are samples from the DVD. One of them shows you how to do a cast on with two needles. I thought: "Easy! Let me try it out with this mystery thread I have and these knitting needles that are approximately the same size I would need for the project and practice."

Boy, was I wrong.

Now, I don't know if it was the bamboo knitting needles (although I'm not too crazy about them) or the mystery thread (or maybe just me), but I couldn't get more than 3 stitches cast on. The more stitched I'd cast on, the tighter the thread became. The only thing I got out of it is how to do the slip knot, which I already knew.

I think I'll get another thread and another set of (metal) knitting needles to play around with. I don't want to buy the good thread and then ruin it trying to learn how to knit.