I am well aware this is a strange question.

[jackandahat]

I learned to knit as a kid, so I don't remember that much about it. Now I'm writing a character who has suddenly decided he's going to learn to knit. So. Assuming a fairly intelligent adult who does stuff with his hands (drawing, sewing), with the usual book/internet resources - how long would it take someone to learn to knit things? How long before being able to do a scarf you could wear in public, or learn to knit in the round and start on socks?

I know it's going to vary hugely from person to person, but I'm curious about guesstimates.

Comments

[thistleingrey]

Does your character mean to sit down and practice a lot or only to touch on it as an occasional hobby?

I taught myself to crochet from a book, then (about ten years later) to knit from book + internet. Not sure to what extent that skews your "how to knit, full stop" question, but I'd say about three weeks to make headway on a scarf one could wear in public. (Completing the scarf depends on its length. :D ) I haven't found it necessary to ask the LYS folks for help, FWIW.

As for starting in the round *or* starting socks--one can go toe-up, which is easier, I think--maybe another few weeks spreading into months? There, it really depends on how much time per week one ends up spending.

[jackandahat]

He's a little obsessive, so he would put in actual effort while learning. And good point about the LYS thing - I've never had an actual person show me how to knit, though I have looked at online videos some.