Over the time I have been playing I have always tried to come up with a plan for things. It has always seemed to make things easier. The guides I am going to post are not the only way to level these professions, just what I consider easiest and most economical. They will all be tweaked a bit before I post them to follow the following rules.
1. I will use recipes only until they turn yellow as often as possible to guarantee skillups.
2. I will try to avoid faction specific recipes. If I do list one I will also list what I consider the best alternative.
3. I will also try to avoid limited spawn recipes, but if I use one it was worth the nuisance of getting it.
4. I am not concerned with making profits on the way up, merely leveling the skill using the least amount of the cheapest mats.
linked under this will be all the guides, as I finish them.
Alchemy Leveling Guide 1 to 450 on the cheap. Updated for 3.2
Leveling fishing and cooking together (alliance version) (needs updated for 3.1, but still works)
Leveling fishing and cooking together (horde version) (needs updated for 3.1, but still works)
Leatherworking leveling guide (needs updated for 3.1, but still works)
Engineering leveling guide 1 to 450
I also intend to revamp this section with an overview of all the professions, however I haven’t gotten there yet.
Suffice it for now to say if you are first starting the game I would advise using Skinning and either Mining or Herbalisim as your trade skills while leveling. Less headaches with learning patterns and such, and a steady income from selling what you have gathered.
You can always switch later if you so desire.
[...] Profession guides [...]