How to Start Knitting (Brenda Lam)

Popular knitting designer Brenda Lam is here to help you enter your knitting era, with 10 fun, chunky, learn-to-knit projects and all the instructions you need.

This book is here to show you everything you need to know from the complete basics onwards, from casting on to casting off. Learning to knit can be daunting, especially if you don’t have a friend or family member to show you the ropes, so Brenda steps in as the seasoned knitter by your side to help you get from never touched needles to wearing your own creations in no time.

This books includes everything new knitters need to know, including tools, yarns, stitches, abbreviations and jargon, the basics on how to read a pattern, and a chapter on how to finish your work. It includes a range of simple stitches, and all the techniques you need are shown step by step in clear illustrations to make everything as clear as possible. There is also a section for Brenda’s favourite tips and tricks (called ‘Things I Wish I’d Known’) and a troubleshooting section, for when you’re not quite sure where a stitch has gone wrong (we’ve all been there!) to help you get the result you want.

To put your new skills into practice the book contains 10 colourful, chunky projects, including hats, mittens, scarfs, and even a sweater if you are feeling adventurous. All the patterns are designed for extra chunky yarn like Wool and the Gang Crazy Sexy Wool or Alpachino Merino or Malabrigo Rasta. She recommends the chunky yarn used in the projects for beginners as it knits up quickly and large stitches allow you to see clearly how your stitches are formed and help you identify when you make the odd mistake!

Brenda’s easy-to-understand tutorials are written in a light-hearted tone, sprinkled with humour, from sassy sidebars to awful jokes that’ll have you in… stitches! This witty and welcoming book is perfect if you’re looking to take your first step into knitting, and we can help you match it up with the yarn and needles you need.

Patterns

10 patterns, including: 1 each of beanie, blanket, balaclava, cushion, mittens, vest, cardigan, sweaters and 2 different scarves

About Brenda Lam

Brenda Lam is a self-taught knitwear designer from Ottawa, Canada. She specializes in chunky yarn and has designed for brands like Wool and the Gang, We Are Knitters, and Bettaknit. This is her first book.