Medium needles would be best for a beginner--size 10-12 would be big enough to see what she's doing, but not so big as to be cumbersome. I personally prefer circular needles for all knitting--they're lighter and less awkward to use. But that is an individual choice. Plastic is less slippery than the metal ones, so sometimes is a little easier for a beginner. I'd avoid chosing needles that are very thin (too hard for a beginner to work with, the stitches are tiny and harder to see and evaluate, and it takes too long to get 'anywhere' with them)

Yarn? Nothing fancy or fuzzy at this point. Regular knitting worsted is best--it's fine to practice on and she'll be able to see the stitches easier than if you get her something with a lot of fuzz, eyelashes or other gizmos hanging off it.

I'm not sure a DVD is really the best way for a beginner to go. Knitting isn't super complicated, but it IS something that's easier learned if you have someone sitting right next to you who can guide you along and point out what you're doing right and when you go wrong. Have you considered checking around in her area and getting her a gift certificate to a craft or yarn shop that would cover a beginner's class as well as some start up supplies and yarn.

If you do decide to buy the things for her yourself--besides needles and yarn, you might want to include some stitch markers (they're used when knitting patterns), stitch holders (for making cables), a needle gauge and needle caps (not sure that's what they're called, but rubber stoppers to put on the end of your needles when you're not working with them, so the stitches don't slide off).

Thanks, Azzalea! One of the things that impressed me about the DVD was how many of the reviewers said they were able to learn from it when other methods (including one-on-one instruction) had failed. I don't know of any yarn shops in the area, although they might be around. AC Moore might have lessons, but I figure I'll start with the DVD (only $15, after all), and see how that goes first.

Those accessories sound like a great idea--thanks!

Don't forget a tape measure that is retractable, and something to hold everything (a little pouch for the extras, and a bag of some sort to hold the knitting). As much as I hate it, I'd start with some red heart acrylic yarn. It's durrable for the many FROGS (when you ripit-ripit-ripit) a new knitter does. I'd get bamboo needles over metal..not as slippery for new knitters. There is some beginner needles where one is red one is blue..not necessarily needed, good for little kids, but not adults. I like circulars, but hard for beginners to get the hang of them.

Point them to www.ravelry.com excellent website. ALso www.knittinghelp.com.

Vickey-MN

When I was a little kid, maybe 2nd grade...my mom showed me the basics....how to cast on, the garter stitch & how to bind off. This u-tube video shows exactly what she showed me....

I purchased a HUGE skein of yarn at the local 5 & dime to practice with.

What a GREAT gift to give a little kid!

Here is a link that might be useful: U-tube how to knit video....

I just got a learn to knit book from my daughter for Christmas; haven't tried it yet, but she said her best friend used the same one and has knitted up a storm from day one.
It's at www.klutz.com Her friend learned knitting and crocheting in less than a week! Now, I just have to take the time to sit down and do it!

My daughter taught herself how to knit when she was not much older than your GD. For Christmas one year I gave her an all in one package from Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics. It had instructions for a simple scarf and included yarn and needles. After she finished that scarf she used you tube for some other projects.

I like about a size 8 needle for beginners and worsted weight yarn that is not a dark navy, black, chocolate, or charcoal. They need to read their knitting easily to find mistakes or dropped stitches, and too dark won't be easy.

Just a thought. If you belong to a church, women's group etc maybe there is a senior that could help her learn. Sometimes we learn better from a non relative etc, and it gives a senior something to do. If you have a bit of extra money you could offer her some, or if she does knit alot, buy her something special--that she would not buy herself. As you know the relationships between GD's and grandmas are something special.
Good luck to her (you too)

when i was young i used to knit alot (and crochet) and a few yrs ago i retaught myself the beginnings again then took a class at joann fabrics. i mostly do crochet now but some basic knitting too and one thing i'd recommend is do not buy her dark colored yarn to learn w/. it was very difficult for me to see the structure of stitches, hence understand how the stitch came about, when i tried usng a beautiful purple. i'd buy her both simple cheap light colored skein for practice, a set of needles and a kit or maybe a gift card to a yarn shop/craft store. another tip stay away from the fluffy or fancy yarns they are difficult for bginners. trust me i am a beginner and i lean towards those but since my current batch of scarves i'm making for friends and family has taken 2-3X as long because of the fluffy yarn i'm learning to chose more wisely lol. good luck! ~ liz

I agree with Sheila Joyce--the size 8 needle is good with worsted yarn. Lion Brand has plastic needles, but I really like the aluminum better. Maybe a gift certificate to Michaels or a yarn store so she can choose her yarn color herself.She'll be more "invested" in the project that way. Lion Brand has tons and tons of free patterns. You could go through them with her and choose a pattern and yarn. The 14" needles are too long in my opinion; shorter needles if long enough for a scarf or the circulars are better.

May I tack on another question? Is it possible for left-handers to knit left-handed or do we need to learn the one-and-only way? I was taught to knit by another child when I was only about 5, and I remember being so confused because it was very uncomfortable. Of course I know I can learn either way, but I haven't seen this question addressed. I do hope this wasn't a hijack! Sorry, alisande, if so.
Erin

Scarves are the most common item for a beginner to "learn on," and since you're in Pennsylvania and it's Winter, it will be great for your granddaughter to be knitting a scarf -- something easy to learn to do, and practical, too!

And scarves aren't just for beginners. There are a lot of really nice scarf patterns that use more "advanced" stitches. She'll be moving on to those in no time! :-)

I agree with the others -- worsted weight yarn (sometimes shown on skein labels as a drawing of a skein with the number 4 on it) is the best for her to use when learning.

Although Azzalea says she prefers circular needles for all knitting, I have to disagree about a brand new knitter using them. Your granddaughter is going to have enough to deal with without having to deal with a circular needle. Don't get me wrong -- knitting on circulars is very easy, but a scarf isn't going to be very wide, so regular straight needles (10" length, not 14") will be just fine. Metal needles are too "slick" for a beginner - your granddaughter might have problems with the yarn sliding off. It would probably be best to start with bamboo needles.

You should tell your granddaughter about the Knitting Help web site. It's Amy Finlay's web site -- Amy used to post a lot on the Knitting and Crocheting forum here at GardenWeb. There are lots and lots and lots of free video clips to watch that show how to do all sorts of stuff, from several different methods of casting on, how to do different stitches, how to cast off, etc. Most of the video clips are offered in both Continental as well as English knitting (how you hold the yarn differs in each). For $25 you can even buy a CD of every video on the site. There's a great glossary, too, as well as a discussion forum.

Virtually all of the yarn manufacturers' web sites have free patterns you can download as .pdf documents. You have to register, but you're not obligated to purchase anything from them, and you can even choose not to receive any e-mail from them.

I teach the continental method, and have taught several left handers to knit just like the continental method says. They just did it. :)

Size 8 and red heart are a good start. I also teach on circular needles. You can make everything on circulars, but not on straights only!

Moni

forgot to mention that the major yarn companies websites all have extensive how-to videos as well as a ton on youtube. i used youtube last christmas when i forgot how to bind off lol ~ liz

I knew I saved this article for a reason, my sister sent me it with this comment:

This was posted on one of my lists about whether knitting is a right-handed or left-handed or two-handed activity. This led to someone remembering how she was taught the "right"way (and therefore only way) to hang a shirt on a hanger (you know how sometimes these lists get a little off topic). Myrna has written a book called about shawls and scarves (see her email address) and is in the process of writing another book. I met her in a class when the big knitting convention was held in Mpls and sat behind her and next to her sister who was also taking a class. I like how she looks at things. There isn't a right and a wrong way. I really like one of her great observations about errors in your knitting. If a man can't see the error galloping by on a horse at midnight, then it doesn't need to be fixed - unless it bothers you.

Left and Right Handed Knitting:

1a. Putting clothes on hangers; why do we think in terms of "right-handedPosted by: "shawlsandscarves" shawlsandscarves@aol.com mstahmanDate: Sat Jan 2, 2010 7:54 am ((PST)) Greetings from Boise, I have never thought about whether there is a "right-handed" or "left-handed" way of putting clothes on a hanger. I have three upper sections to my closet, with shelves for shoes in the middle upper section. For shirts/blouses that go in the left section I put them on the hanger so that they face the middle section; for suits/blouses, etc. that go in the right section I put them on the hanger so that they face the middle section. I"m left handed. I generally don't think about whether something is done in a "right-handed" or "left-handed" manner. I just do what is comfortable for me. When I teach a new knitter I teach him/her to knit off the left needle onto the right needle, but I don't consider this "right-handed" knitting. It simply is the way that one should know how to knit because the majority of pattern instructions are written with the idea that one knits off the left needle and on to the right needle. When I teach those who are not new knitters, I urge them to learn to knit off the right needle and on to the left needle, as this is a technique that works so well when knitting a narrow border on to a shawl. I hold the yarn in my left hand and am a "pick knitter." My mother, who was a very talented knitter and who taught me to knit, always held the yarn in her right hand and was a "thrower." I learned to knit by holding the yarn in my right hand and throwing. A few years later I watched the mother of a friend knit; she held the yarn in her left hand. I tried it, and liked it. My mother tired pick knitting, but it just didn't work for her. Maybe because I am left handed it is more natural for me to hold the yarn in my left hand and pick knit. Does a left-handed person play the piano differently from the way a right-handed person plays the piano? I don't think so. Playing the piano is a two-handed activity; knitting is also a two handed activity. Both hands have jobs to do, and which one does the most work is not based upon the direction in which the stitches move from one needle to the other. Is there a difference between doing something the "right way" and doing it the "correct way?" There may be a "right-handed" way of doing things, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is the only "correct way" of doing it. In knitting, there are many correct ways of doing something. The correct way is the way that works for you to get the result you desire. The same is true when putting clothes on a hanger! When I teach knitting I use the term "right" only when it means the opposite of "left." I use the terms "right side" only when it is compared to the "left side." I use the phrases "public side" and "private side" rather than "right side" and "wrong side." Now, Ill get off my soap box and get to work. Wishing you all a great New Year, in knitting and in all aspects of life,Myrna, enjoying a warmer day in Boise where the snow is melting, and looking forward to a great football game on Monday when Boise State University plays TCU in the Fiesta Bowl - time to get lots of knitting done :)

Vickey-MN

Love it Vickey! Thanks for posting it.

Moni

I wish that I had learned the continntal way as my grandmother did. I feel it is so much faster. I guess I probably still could.

There are some home videos on youtube...I learned how to do continental knitting watching those and they don't cost a dime.

Thanks so much, everyone! I learned many things from this thread that I was clueless about.

I'll start with the DVD, the practice needles and yarn you recommended, and a few accessories, along with a gift card so she can pick what she wants for her first project. We do have a Jo-Ann's, so if the DVD doesn't do the trick I'll see if they offer knitting lessons.

In fact, if my granddaughter doesn't make immediate progress with the DVD, maybe I'll offer to learn with her. Once I discovered rug hooking years ago, I abandoned all other fiber arts--but it wouldn't kill me to learn to knit. :-)

Thank you, Moni, I'll try that. Interesting reading, Vicky. But I have to say I would be much more comfortable wielding the "working" needle with my left hand; doing that right-handed would be muuuuuuuch slower for me!