Knitting ideas for new knitters

Are you new to knitting? Are you looking for a new project to knit? We might just have one or two ideas that will take your fancy. Even if you are a well-seasoned knitter, sometimes the simpler projects are just what you need to relax. It's quite nice to have two projects on the go, especially when you are making something that takes more concentration. Having that second project that you can just pick up and put down is perfect, without the worry of completing forgetting which pattern row you are up to or whether you should have been increasing or decreasing. Something you can just pick up and glide along with in a carefree way. Not to say that even what is deemed as a simple project can go without any hiccups. Dropping a stitch is always a fun one to fix. We do have just the video should this happen to you. 
The UK Hand Knitting Association also have a wealth of information for anyone learning to knit too. Take a look on their website, where you will find videos and tips.
If you prefer to have a book to refer to then Learn to Knit is a very useful guide to have by your side. 

We have a great community of knitters of crocheters in our Facebook Make Along group. It's a place for our customers to share the projects they have made with yarn and patterns from Black Sheep Wools. There is always someone on hand to offer advice in the group or celebrate your latest finished WIP (work in progress). We also encourage you to share you projects with us on Instagram either tagging Black Sheep Wools or using #blacksheepwools and we will be able to see what you have been making. 

The Rock and Roll Blanket by Carol from Black Sheep Wools is perfect for beginner knitters. Master the knit stitch and you are sorted. Simply keep knitting in garter stitch (every row knitted) until you run out of the mini ball, then join in a new one. Make sure you leave a decent ish length of yarn to sew in your ends when you are finished. There are 58 mini balls of Scheepjes Stone Washed and River Washed in the colour pack. 

The Knitted Chevron Blanket kit includes a purl row and a bit of increasing and decreasing to create the zig zag effect. This is a pattern designed for us by Lynne Rowe many years ago. When we released the Impromptu knit along in March 2020 we spoke to Lynne and decided to release the pattern as a free download as part of our community make alongs. Something for knitters to do in isolation and to relax. 

The ZickZack scarf by Christy Kamm is a free pattern that Sara loves from Ravelry. A very effective way of using two balls of variegated striping yarn. 

If you don't feel too overwhelmed by zig zag knitting, then this baby blanket kit from West Yorkshire Spinners could be your new project. Knitted in delicate pastel shades of West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep DK. 

West Yorkshire Spinners have kindly released the squares to knit the Emeline blanket for free on their website. The blanket is knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners Re:Treat, designed by Lynne Rowe. Lynne is a big advocate for mindful knitting practice and this design is made up of simple stitch patterns to allow you to bring mindfulness into your knitting. This would be a great pattern as you are learning to knit, taking on new stitches and techniques as you go. If you would like to purchase the pattern it is available on our website.

If you are feeling a little more adventurous and ready to take on knitting a garment, why not try a baby cardigan? This is an easy knit pattern from Sirdar, available as a paper pattern or digital. There are 18 shades to choose from in Sirdar Snuggly 4ply. We collect premature baby knits for our local hospitals, find further information on our Premature Baby Campaign page. 

When you are ready to try a spot of lace knitting then this Lace Scarf by Graeme Knowles-Miller is an attractive pattern to knit. A free pattern to download, knitted in Rico Fashion Silk Blend DK which is beautifully soft to the touch.

If you feel like trying out a garment, then this easy knit sweater from Stylecraft, knitted in the new Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo + Cotton DK. could be just what you are looking for. Getting to grips with introducing a stripe of a second colour and embracing sewing up. We have a handy video on mattress stitch here should you need it. 

A knitted toy from Sardines for Tea could make a nice small project to try with your new knitting skills. Pablo Rabbit is one of the flat style toys, these ones in particular are easy knit patterns. Once you have given these a go then you have many more to choose from in the Sardines for Tea collection.

Hopefully there is something here that will inspire you to pick up your knitting needles. On a side note, don't forget to browse our vast selection of different knitting needles, including KnitPro, Lykke and Milward. Take a look at our website for even more yarny ideas we have also put together a collection of 'Easy Knit' patterns that are perfect for new knitters ready to branch out on something new.

Don't forget #blacksheepwools 😉