pattern for beginners

[barang19]

hi,

i'm still learning to knit. there are 2 stitches i think i've mastered, the knit and purl. I am trying to make a simple shawl or sock maybe, i've seen patterns in several internet websites but the problem is i don't know how to follow these patterns. is there anyone here who has a pattern that indicates the step by step process? I'd really appreciate it if you can send me one.

thanks,

[tarrentella]

well at this stage it is best to stay simple. Why not try a simple scarf alternating knits and purls to give you a rib or broken rib pattern. It gives you some practice at the stiches, and of how to go from one stitch to the other and produces somthing nice and usefull too.
http://www.knitsimplemag.com/pdf/scarf-ribit.pdf
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patt...fbrokenrib.htm

if you are a little more adventurous and want to start learning some increases and decreases then perhaps somthing like this: http://www.knitsimplemag.com/pdf/scarf-ribit.pdf

good luck, have fun and don't forget you can always ask for help on here or look at the glossary if there are terms or instructions you are not sure of.

[cam90066]

lionbrand.com has quite a few very beginner/easy patterns. You might also try doing dishcloths as some are super basic and others have interesting st patts. Lots of dishcloths here and here.

cam

[MerigoldinWA]

Here is a link to a really simple shawl pattern. It only uses a knit stitch and you will need to learn to k1f&b which is the most common increase you could learn and very simple. You can learn this increase from a video on this site. Here is a link to that page. Scroll down to KFB. It is also called a Bar Increase. If you hold your yarn in the right hand as you work, click the blue camera icon. If you hold the yarn in your left hand click the pink camera.

That pattern as given changes the color every few rows, but you could make it all one color and it would be even easier. Choose a big yarn, like a heavy worsted (Vanna's Choice like) or even a bulky yarn. An interesting yarn would make an interesting shawl. Use a big needle. The gal said 15, but 13 would work too, if you used worsted instead of bulky yarn. And you do need it to be a circular needle, maybe a 36" long one would be long enough to hold all your stitches. Gauge isn't real important, just knit on a needle that gives you a fabric you like, it should probably be knit pretty loose so it will have lots of drape. And you can just work it until you have it as big as you want and then bind off all stitches.

Here is a step by step of what you do:

Cast on 2 stitches.
Row 1: Knit into the front of the first stitch, don't slip it off the needle yet, twist the tip of your needle around to behind the LH (left hand) needle and knit into the back of the same stitch, then slide the stitch off the RH (right hand) needle. (K1f&b made) Knit the other stitch. (You now have 3 stitches.)

Row 2: Knit the first stitch, K1f&b, knit the last stitch. (You now have 4 stitches.)

Row 3: Knit 1 stitch, K1f&b, knit the rest of the stitches in the row. (Each row you will gain 1 stitch.)

Then over the rest of the shawl repeat what you did in Row 3. Work until it is as big as you want and then bind off all the stitches.

[MerigoldinWA]

Here is another very simple shawl, that is like the other one, but uses a yarn over instead of a K1f&b for the increase.