Knitting is a timeless craft that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s easy to learn, and once you get the basics down, you’ll find yourself able to create beautiful things for yourself and your loved ones with little more than a ball of yarn and some knitting needles.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to knit but thought it looked too difficult or time-consuming, then this guide is for you! In just 12 easy steps (plus one bonus step), we’ll show you how simple it really is.
Once you know these basic stitches the building blocks of all knitting projects you’ll be able to make hats, scarves and blankets like a pro!
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Learning to knit can be intimidating, but with the right guide, anyone can learn how to create beautiful knit pieces. |
| Knitting requires specific tools and materials, including knitting needles, yarn, and scissors. |
| The knit stitch is one of the two most basic stitches in knitting, and is the foundation for many beautiful knit patterns. |
| The purl stitch is the other basic stitch in knitting and serves to create beautiful texture and contrast in knitting. |
| Practice and patience are key to mastering the knit stitch, and even experienced knitters need to take their time with new patterns and techniques. |
Step 1: Cast On
To cast on, you’ll need a yarn needle and two double-pointed needles. The first thing to do is to make sure that the end of your yarn is not tangled.
If it is, untangle it before casting on. Next, place the end of your yarn on your left palm with a little bit sticking out from between your thumb and index finger. Hold one needle in each hand and thread each piece through the loop until they meet (see image).
Once they meet, pull gently but firmly so that there are no holes or gaps between them (see image).
This will create an anchor point for you to start knitting with later! Now move both needles so that they’re at about a 90 degree angle from where they were before (see image).
Holding both pieces together at this point will help prevent them from becoming unknitted during future steps (which can happen if one end gets caught in something else).
Starting your knitting journey can be daunting, but fear not! Our guide on casting on and getting started will help you take your first steps into the world of knitting with confidence.
Step 2: Work The First Row (Knit)
The second step is to work the first row (knit).
Cast on: To cast on, hold the needle in your right hand and the yarn in your left. Wrap the yarn around your thumb and forefinger of your left hand and make a loop with it. Slide this loop off of your finger onto the needle.
Knit: Use the other end of your cable cast-on method to knit into this new stitch until there are two stitches on each needle (for more information on how to do this, see our guide here).
Purl: Now that you’re ready for purling, pull out a piece of scrap yarn about 10 inches long from any nearby project bag or box and slip those two stitches onto it so that they don’t come undone while you’re learning how to purl!
Mistakes happen, but the good news is that they can be avoided. Learn about the 15 common knitting mistakes and how to avoid them with our guide and start creating perfect pieces.
Step 3: Work The Second Row (Purl)
Now that you’ve worked a row of knit stitches, it’s time for the purl version!
Purl the first stitch by inserting your needle into it from left to right. Purl the second stitch in the same way, but from right to left instead.
Pull on your yarn with tension so that both stitches look like they were made using purl knitting.
Repeat this process with each stitch until you reach the end of your row and have to turn around again in order to continue working back down another row.
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1. | Hold your knitting needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand. |
| 2. | With your right hand, insert the other needle from right to left through the first stitch on the left needle. |
| 3. | Loop the yarn over the right-hand needle and pull it through the stitch on the left needle. |
| 4. | Slide the original stitch off the left needle. |
| 5. | Repeat steps 2-4 until all stitches are purled. |
| 6. | Turn the work and begin row 3 with a knit stitch. |
Step 4: Alternate Knit And Purl Rows
The next step is to alternate knit and purl rows every time you turn your work. To do this, you’ll need to pay attention to the pattern as you go along so that you can see which way your stitches are facing (the right or wrong side). This will determine whether or not a row needs to be knitted or purled.
When it’s time to switch from one stitch type to another in your row, simply change directions by working the first stitch in its opposite direction: if it was a knit stitch, now make it a purl; and vice versa.
Step 5: Knit Through The Back Loop (Ktbl)
The next stitch is called Ktbl, which stands for knit through the back loop. This stitch can be worked with any other type of stitch and it looks great in patterns like ribbing or moss stitch.
To work this stitch, insert your right needle into the front leg of a front loop on the left side of your work (you can see where this is in the photo). Then, wrap that leg around and behind your needle to knit it through its own back loop.
That’s all there is to it! To see how this looks in practice, check out our video below:
Discover everything you need to know about knitting, from casting on to bind off, with our comprehensive beginner’s guide. Take your first step towards creating beautiful pieces and sharpen your skills.
Step 6: Slip Stitch Knitwise (Sl1k)
The Slip stitch knitwise (Sl1k) is a variation on the standard slip stitch, but it’s knitted into the pattern rather than purled. It essentially reverses the direction of your knit stitches, so instead of going from right to left as you would with a normal knit stitch, they go from left to right.
This sideways slant gives you a nice texture and looks neat when used in certain patterns but be careful: if you don’t know how it works, it can easily look messy!
To work this stitch correctly, first slip your left needle into the next stitch on your right needle as if you were about to purl.
Then wrap your working yarn around that same needle from back to front before knitting through both layers at once (if this is confusing for some reason).
Then remove all these extra wraps by slipping them off both needles together. If done correctly, this will produce a regular looking backwards-facing loop which means that only half of what was just created is actually visible from where we stand now!
Step 7: Yarn Over (Yo)
Make a yarn over (YO) by wrapping the working yarn around the right needle in front of the stitch and then taking it back to the left needle over the top of your other stitches.
Knit into this new loop, just as you would any other stitch.
If there are more than one YOs in a row, be sure to work them off into their own stitch by knitting each one, rather than letting them get caught up in each other or tangle together on your needle (Which Will Cause Problems When You Try To Knit Later).
Step 8: Knit Two Stitches Together (K2tog)
The K2tog (knit two stitches together) is a decrease that joins two stitches into one. It’s often used to shape the top of a sleeve cap, or to cast off an edge.
When you knit a K2tog, you will use the right needle to knit through the front of the first stitch and through the back of the second stitch on your left needle.
Make sure that you don’t twist your stitches this is what happens when you accidentally knit through both sides at once!
If your stitches are twisted, there’s no way for them to unravel themselves after being knitted together; instead they’ll become tighter and tighter until they eventually tear apart completely!
Before diving into the world of knitting, learn the basics you need to know with our guide. From different types of needles to obtaining the perfect tension, we’ve got you covered.
Step 9: Slip, Slip, Knit (Ssk)
Slip, slip, knit (Ssk)
This may seem like a lot to remember, but don’t worry! It’s not as hard as it looks. The ssk stitch is actually quite simple once you get the hang of it.
- First, slip two stitches individually knitwise onto the right needle.
- Next (and this is where it gets tricky), insert your left needle into the front loop of these two slipped stitches and knit them together through the back loop. This creates one new stitch!
Step 10: Make A Yarn Forward (M1f)
Next you will make a yarn forward (M1f). This is a special type of increase that creates a new stitch out of the bar between two stitches.
It’s worked by picking up the bar between two stitches with your left needle, then knitting it through the back loop. You can also do this using your right needle if you’re left handed, or vice versa.
- Lift your working yarn from behind and to the back of your work
- Insert left needle into front of lifted strand and knit through its back loop
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1. | Knit the first stitch on the left needle. |
| 2. | To create the yarn forward, bring the yarn to the front of the work between the needles. |
| 3. | Take the right needle to the front of the work and insert it from front to back under the top strand of yarn. |
| 4. | Bring the right needle back to the front of the work over the top of the yarn, then place the new stitch onto the left needle. |
| 5. | Knit the next stitch. |
| 6. | Repeat steps 2-5 as needed to make additional yarn forwards. |
Step 11: Purl Two Stitches Together Through The Back Loop (P2tog Tbl)
Now that you’ve mastered the knit stitch, it’s time to try something new! The purl two stitches together through the back loop (P2tog tbl) is a combination of the purl stitch and two stitches. In order to make this stitch, you’ll again be working into a single loop on your needle.
With your left hand holding onto the yarn and your right hand holding onto one of your knitting needles, insert it into the back loop of each st on top of its corresponding needle so that there are two loops on one side.
Then take another knitting needle in your right hand and pass it behind these two loops; pull through both loops at once so that you have one loop on each side again. You can repeat this process until there are three loops instead of five; then complete as normal by pulling through all three loops off with one motion—just like making regular purls!
Interested in creating your own knitted sweaters? Look no further than our ultimate guide to knitting sweaters to find patterns, tips, and tricks to make cozy and stylish sweaters in no time.
Section :Step 12 : Take Care Of Your Work
Wash your hands before you start knitting. Make sure they are clean and dry, as any lotions or moisturizers can affect the yarn and cause problems when it is being knitted.
Store your work in a safe place to prevent tangles and knots from forming. This is especially important if you are going to be doing something else while knitting, like watching TV or reading a book!
Use stitch holders to keep track of stitches that have been completed but not yet sewn onto the project. They help make sure that everything stays organized so there aren’t any mishaps with incorrectly placed stitches later on down the road!
Keep your yarn untangled at all times so it doesn’t snag on anything else nearby as well as keeping things neat looking (which also means less frustration!).
You should also check for knots every now and then because these can get worse over time if left unchecked; just pull gently until they come undone again using both hands instead of one hand only since this makes things easier when removing them…you’ll see why when trying it out 🙂
Conclusion
Now that you know how to knit, it’s time to get started! You can use this guide as a reference whenever you want to refresh your memory on a new technique or fix a mistake.
Keep in mind that the more practice you put into knitting, the more comfortable and confident you will feel doing so. It might take time before it becomes second nature but don’t let that discourage you from trying again tomorrow!
Further Reading
How to Knit: A beginner’s guide to knitting that covers everything from the basics of knitting to creating beautiful and intricate pieces.
How to Knit for Complete Beginners: This tutorial covers the fundamentals of knitting, including basic stitches, tools, and materials needed to start knitting.
How to Knit for Beginners: A step-by-step guide that teaches novice knitters the basics of creating beautiful, quality pieces and includes tutorials and visuals to learn how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off.
FAQs
What is the best way to hold knitting needles?
There is no one “correct” way to hold knitting needles, it depends on what’s comfortable for you. The most common ways are to hold the needles like chopsticks or like a pencil.
What type of yarn should I use for my first knitting project?
When starting out, wool or acrylic yarn is recommended. These types of yarn are easy to work with and come in a wide range of colors and textures.
How do I fix mistakes when knitting?
Mistakes in knitting are common and can be fixed in multiple ways, depending on the mistake. Some common fixes include un-knitting, picking up dropped stitches, and correcting rows.
How do I change colors in a knitting project?
To change colors, simply drop the old color and start knitting with the new one. When switching colors, join the new yarn by knitting the first stitch with both yarns.
How do I cast off my knitting project?
Casting off, also known as binding off, is the final step in completing a knitting project. To cast off, knit two stitches, then use the left needle to lift the first stitch over the second stitch and off the right needle. Repeat until all stitches have been cast off.
My name is Hellen James, and I’m a crochet and knitting expert. I’ve been crocheting since I was just a kid, but I started taking it seriously when I realized that it was a great way to de-stress and relax. Now that I have kids of my own, I love teaching them how to do it too!