All this and more on ETSY

Hello friends of What Jane Knits,

I've been knitting a few scarves and beanies to sell lately as well as working on some new projects.

I start back at my Malvern Library knitting classes in a couple of weeks so I've been working on a really simple project for absolute beginner knitters. Last year we all worked on my Moss Stitch Pom Pom Book mark which looks fabulous, but I might make it straight garter stitch this year. Also I wanted to added a new project. If you live in the Melbourne South East area feel free to pop in. Classes start on June 6 at 6.30pm. Don't worry I'll give more details next week.

My other project is a knitting book for Kids. Once this is up and running I'll be asking for some underage volunteers to trial the patterns. So if you have any little ones who you think might like to learn to knit, let me know. Any feedback on this project would be great.

Finally I wanted to let you know that my kits and knitted things are also available on my ETSY store. Look out for my Pom Pom maker kits exclusive to my ETSY store.

Anyway enjoy your knitting and feel free to drop me a line if you are interested in beginner knitting for Children.

Happy knitting,

Jane

START AND FINISH YOUR FIRST KNITTING PROJECT

Do you want to knit something awesome?

Maybe you saw something cool and wondered if you could knit that.. it looked so simple but cool.

I can help!

I really want you to feel great about learning a new skill and finishing a project.

That's why I have created the What Jane Knits kits for beginners. They are designed to be small simple projects that are easy to complete; and as a result you'll get that wonderful sense of achievement. It's all about nailing the basics.

The kits contain everything you need:

• Quality Yarn
• Knitting needles
• Patterns
• Sewing needle
• Project bag

Before you set your heart on that chunky knit throw for your couch or huge slouchy jumper, have a look at these What Jane Knits kits.

• Handwarmers
• Loop scarf
• Chunky knit beanie
• Slouch beanie
• Baby beanie
• Baby poncho
• Lost Tooth Pouch - especially for kids

Learning to knit was never so simple, especially with my online Video Tutorials.

Free delivery for Australian orders and a great exchange rate for overseas knitters! It's a win/win.

Let me know how you go and share your achievements online with #whatjaneknits.

Happy Knitting!

Jane

Learn to knit they said... it's relaxing they said! My tips for beginner knitters

How many articles/ stories/ headlines have you read telling you how relaxing and zen knitting is?

More than you can remember I'm sure.

While I know that established knitters find the rhythm of knitting to be peaceful and relaxing (myself included) I do feel that these constant articles are a little unfair to the wanna-be knitter.

A someone who has taught knitting to people of all ages and competencies.. knitting is really not the magical stress relieving craft that most people imagine!

“To be honest - learning to knit can be really stressful and frustrating.”

To begin with, simply tying a slip knot can get people confused for at least 15 minutes.

Then wrangling the knitting needles, trying to make sure the cast on stitches don't fall off or simply disappear.

Once you have some stitches on your needles your initial knitting is more likely to look like random macrame than knitting. With holes and weird strings across gaps the norm.

If you manage to persist with knitting and get a few rows on your needles, you may find that scarf you endeavored to make is looking very triangular. No doubt the edges of your knitting are not straight and are likely to be shrugged in!

A the joys of knitting... at this stage you may wish to pull out your knitting.

You might just give up or create a new use for your knitting efforts!

Never fear...

Don't give up!  With just a little perseverance you can get the hang of knitting fairly quickly. It really is about expectations.

If you accept that you may not knit like a pro within the hour you are more prepared to make mistakes and not be as frustrated. See your first attempts at knitting as an opportunity to practice.  So if you can cast on and make a stitch - just keep going until you feel you have the hang of it.

Once you feel you are making fewer mistakes, then start again and this time try to make the edges neat. Tension is very tricky and something you will learn over time.

Part of the meditation aspect of knitting is that it makes you focus on the now. You can stop fretting about your existing problems or plans and pay attention to learning a new skill. This clears your mind so that it can be entirely present... and just like yoga you must remember to breathe!

I have 2 main tips for beginners and knitting:

1. Start on a small project - don't be too ambitious.   A pair of handwarmers or washcloth is a great starting place for the novice knitter.

2. You Tube is your friend. I have a great collection of Tutorial videos that slowly and clearly take you through the basics of knitting.

Slow and steady...

Pretty soon you will get the hang of knitting. Of course finishing your first project will be really exciting and you can go on to bigger and better things from there! Just remember the process is often just as important as the result.

My beginner kits are designed to be as pain free as possible! For small easy to achieve projects...have a look here!