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

I was quick, because I knew how to crochet

[jazzypom]

I got the knit stitch immediately. The cast on took forever (I learned long tail slingshot cast on), and the purl (because I was taught English) I needed someone to correct me, because my purl stitch sucked. But I got bored with the scarf reallly quickly, and went straight into a jumper for my next project (in the first three months). Socks took a long time to get my head around though - back before circular needles became really popular.

Re: I was quick, because I knew how to crochet

[jackandahat]

It's interesting hearing everyone's stories of how/where they learned, I've had loads of people tell me "I can't imagine learning from a book", but then just as many people say they learned from a book just fine.

I learned a mix

[jazzypom]

Like, my friend showed me how to cast on. Then I got Stitch and Bitch by Debbie Stoeller and learnt everything else in terms of ribbing, and gauge, etc. This was a year before youtube, you see, but there were a lot of books about beginner's knitting. Then I discovered Rowan yarns and pattern books, and saw stuff I liked, so I told myself that well, ripping back never hurt anyone, so yeah.

Re: I learned a mix

[jackandahat]

I found Jean Greenhowe's Knitted Toys in the local library and some yarn in the charity shop. Which looking back was *horribly* unsuitable for a beginner, it was some skinny fluffy stuff and I made a giant snake out of it.

I know my grandmother knit, but the thing is - she started a baby jacket when my mother was pregnant with me. Last I heard, I'd turned 21 and she'd still not finished it. So... yeah, didn't really have anyone to ask to teach me!