Knitting & Crochet Resources Web sites About.com's Knitting pages: www.knitting.about.com Tons of information and lots of links. The Learning to Knit page: www.knitting.about.com/cs/learningtoknit/ has basics for beginners or for those who want to brush up on their skills. Also includes info on more advanced techniques, like multicolored knitting, links to free patterns, etc. About.com's Crochet pages www.crochet.about.com Similar to above. Learn to Crochet links are on this page: http://www.crochet.about.com/library/blbeginners.htm DIY Network Web site www.diynetwork.com See photos and written instructions or watch clips from the network's show "Knitty Gritty" showing various knitting techniques. Each episode's web page has links to a few pages with how-to's. DIY makes past episodes a little hard to find, but you can search for episodes by number under "Find an episode" at the lower left side of the home page-or click the episode titles below, if you're looking at this online. Note that instructions for episodes that have not yet aired may not be available until air date. Episode DKNG-101 Getting Started Covers choosing needles and yarns for a first-time project, casting on and binding off. A great primer for anyone just learning to knit. Episode DKNG-102: Knitting and Purling If you know how to knit and purl, you can do stockinette stitch. This episode shows how to knit and purl so you can make a knitted guitar in stockinette. Episode DKNG-103: Felting Felting or "fulling" is a process by which knitted wool is soaked in hot water to shrink and tighten the fibers and create a dense fabric. Great for making knitted purses, like those shown at the Knit-Out. In fact, this episode's featured project is a felted purse. Episode DKNG-104: Knitting in the Round How to knit seamlessly using double-pointed needles. Project is a pair of mittens. Episode DKNG-105: Knitting for the Home How to make a rug using leftover chunky wool; a colorful tote bag from recycled plastic bags; and a biodegradable twine planter. Episode DKNG-106: Knitting with Kids Making a beanbag, a hat, and a scarf. Episode DKNG-107: Edgy Knitting Learn to add borders, scallops, fringe, and other edgings to knitted items. Episode DKNG-108: Intarsia Knitting with blocks of color. Episode DKNG-109: Decorative Stitches How to read written knitting instructions and charts; techniques for a variety of knitting stitches from simple (seed stitch and ribbing) to complex (eyelets, bobbles, waves, checkerboard, etc.). Episode DKNG-110: Oh, Baby! Make baby booties and a matching hat. Episode DKNG-111: Illusion Knitting Illusion or "shadow" knitting is a method of knitting into a project a subtle pattern-or even words-that can only be seen from certain angles. Episode DKNG-112 : Refashioned Knits (Airs 9/17/04) How to repurpose yarn from already-knit garments and modify knit garments with new knitted embellishments. Episode DKNG-113: Don't Sweat the Sweater (Airs 9/24/04) How to repurpose yarn from already-knit garments and modify knit garments with new knitted embellishments. Stitch Guide: www.stitchguide.com Written instructions on different knitting and crochet techniques, with illustrations. There are also videos of many of the techniques that you can watch for free online using the free Quick Time player. Also covers sewing/quilting, lacemaking, embroidery, cross stitch, etc. Valley Café Knitting Resource Page www.valleycafe.com/knitting/ Includes animated illustrations and short video clips of knitting techniques that you can watch online for free. Books How to Crochet. Booklet pubished by The National Needlework Association How to Knit. Booklet pubished by The National Needlework Association (See web page: http://tnna.org/resources_public.php) These inexpensive booklets provide about 50 pages each of instruction on basic techniques. They are available only through retail stores that are members of The National Needlework Association. Ask your local yarn store for recommendations on other good learn-to-knit books.