Online Knitting Resources
I began knitting in about 2002, which was around the time that I got my first email address. I learned for a school project, and then just never really stopped. A friend and I took lessons at our local yarn store. My first project was a rather lumpy purple hat, and I’m pretty sure there was no pattern. Or if there was, it was only in my teacher’s head.
Knitting went through a trendy wave around then, too. I remember hearing about actresses knitting between takes, and knitting magazines valiantly tried (emphasis on tried) to make trendier patterns. Because that’s how you bought patterns - in a book or magazine, limited to what your store had in stock. Soon enough, the wave subsided, and knitting became a grandma hobby again.
But then… internet. Etsy, Pinterest, Instagram and even knitting’s own social network, Ravelry. And today when I want to learn how to do an Italian bind-off, I go to YouTube first. Knitting knowledge is so much more accessible, on-demand and open than it was in 2002.
We pay for this convenience by losing the knitter-to-knitter connections and knowledge-sharing we used to have. My old Local Yarn Store lost it’s location due to rising rents, and then when the owner passed away, the store shut down. My knitting life has largely moved online, and that’s now where I find patterns, inspiration, help when I’m stuck and even buy most of my yarn (which is crazy when you think about it - it’s such a tactile product! But I digress).
So now that everyone and their friends are knitting the Sophie Scarf by PetiteKnit, I thought I’d share my favorite online knitting resources. (Note that I’m based in Europe and an English speaker, so these resources reflect that.)
My Favorite Things knitwear - patterns you, a Millennial grandma, actually want to wear, available in eight languages. I learned the above-mentioned Italian bind-off for her Sweater no. 11. Patterns are mostly clear but it helps to have a solid foundation of knitting, purling, increases, decreases, etc. I’d say they range anywhere from “beginner-plus” to advanced difficulty, with most being intermediate.
Knitting for Olive - my top choice these days for yarns and patterns. I found Knitting for Olive through My Favorite Things, I think. Their yarns are beautiful and soft to the touch, and patterns are easy to follow. They also have lots of patterns for kids, which I appreciate! The only downside is that they don’t sell yarn direct to the consumer, so you’ll have to find a stockist that will ship to you through their site.
PurlSoho - beautiful free patterns (especially blankets), tutorials, maybe yarns? I have made multiple Purl Soho blankets and hats for the babies in my life, and always keep coming back to them! They’re very easy to follow and have a nice library of free patterns for those not ready to commit. I hear good things about their yarn, but my shipment got caught in customs limbo and somehow ended up shipped to Switzerland… so I’ll have to revisit this whenever I work up the courage to order again.
We Are Knitters - kits and convenience. We Are Knitters was my pandemic staple and got me through knitting multiple sweaters in one year. They gravitate toward chunky yarns, but it’s all kitted for you which is so convenient. Instructions are clear and their YouTube channel can help clear up questions. I find the kits/patterns are very well sorted according to skill level.
Honorable mention: Wool and the Gang also produces kits like We Are Knitters, but I haven’t personally tried them. Maybe someday soon!
What are your favorite online knitting resources? Let me know in the comments!