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A complete tutorial, from setting up to finishing the weave
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- Setting Up the Weave |
- Knitting |
- Finishing Off |
- Video |
- Q&A |
- Tips |
- Warnings |
- Things You'll Need
Finger knitting is a fun, productive way to spend your free time when you need something to do. When you're finished, you'll have a beautiful rope of yarn that you can use in many different ways, like a key ring, hair decoration, belt, or bag handle. It's simple and fun for the whole family!
How to Start Finger Knitting
- Set up the weave by looping the yarn over and under the fingers of one hand. Repeat this process until you have 2 loops on each finger.
- Pull the bottom loops over the upper loops on each finger. Then, press the existing loops down on your fingers.
- Loop the yarn around your 4 fingers and continue finger knitting.
Steps
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Hold the yarn between the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand, leaving a short length of extra yarn (the "tail) at the end. Keep your thumb pressed against the side of your index finger in order to keep the yarn in place. Turn your hand so that your palm faces you. -
Start the weave. With your palm facing you, take the "working end" of the yarn and weave it behind your index finger, over your middle finger, behind your ring finger, and over your pinky finger. During the weaving process, be sure to keep the tail tightly gripped between the side of your thumb and index finger. [1] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Loop around and continue weaving. Once you reach the end of your hand, loop the yarn around your pinky and continue the weave, this time in the alternate pattern. After it wraps around your pinky, the yarn will go over your ring finger, behind your middle finger, and over your index finger.
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Repeat this sequence. Wrap the yarn around your index finger and then repeat the original wrapping pattern: behind your index finger, over your middle finger, behind your ring finger, over and around your pinky finger, over your ring finger, behind your middle finger, over and around your index finger. Once finished, you should have two loops around each finger. [2] X Research source
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Pull up the bottom loops. Starting with your index finger, take the bottom loop of yarn and pull it up, over (the top loop), and off of your finger. Once finished, the bottom loop should now be on the back of your index finger. [3] X Research source
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Repeat with the next three fingers. Pull the bottom loop up, over, and off of your middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Once finished, you should have one loop on each finger.
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Reposition the yarn. Using your dominant (free) hand, press the yarn down so that the remaining loops are closer to the bottom of your fingers and do not risk falling off.
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Continue the weave. Grab the tail (which should be between your index and middle fingers) and wrap it over your middle finger, behind your ring finger, and over and around your pinky. Continue the other direction by wrapping it over your ring finger, behind your middle finger, and over and around your index finger. Once finished, you should once again have two loops on each finger. [4] X Research source
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Repeat pulling up the bottom loops. As with before, start with the index finger and pull the bottom loop up, over (the top loop), and off your finger. Repeat this for the remaining three fingers until you end up with only one loop on each finger.
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Repeat repositioning of the yarn. Once again use your dominant (free) hand to slightly push the yarn down so that the remaining loops are closer to the bottom of your fingers, allowing additional room to continue the weave.
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Repeat these three actions (weaving, pulling up loops, repositioning) as long as desired. A nice, rope-like structure of yarn should form at the back of your hand, which will allow you to roughly gauge the length you've made. Don't be afraid to lightly tug on it to tighten it up as you go.
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Stop weaving. Once your rope is as long as you want it, stop with one loop on each finger, just after you've pulled over the bottom loops. Do not continue to weave. -
Finish your index finger. Take the remaining loop from your index finger and flip it up and over, onto your middle finger. Now, pull the bottom loop up from your middle finger and over to the back of your hand. [5] X Research source
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Finish your middle finger. Take the remaining loop from your middle finger and flip it up and over, onto your ring finger. Again, pull the bottom loop up from your ring finger and over to the back of your hand.
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Finish your pinky. Take the remaining loop from your ring finger and flip it up and over, onto your pinky. Again, pull the bottom loop up from your pinky and over to the back of your hand. Once finished, you should have on loop on your pinky.
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Slip the loop off your pinky. Be careful to not let the loop close once it is off your finger.
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Cut the working end of the yarn a few inches away from the loop. Be sure to leave a few inches of extra yarn at the end. [6] X Research source
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Pull this working end (now a new tail) through the loop. Tug it a few times to tighten the loop upon the new tail. [7] X Research source
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Tighten the other end. Return to the original tail and also give it a tug to tighten off the other end. If desired, you can even tie a knot to finish off this end.
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Finished. If you want your yarn to make a circle (for a bracelet, headband, etc.), tie the two ends in a tight, square knot. If not, you're all done.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow can I take a break in the middle of knitting without restarting my work?Community AnswerSlide the loops on your fingers onto a pen or pencil. Then, when you want to continue, just take the loops off the pen and put them back on your fingers.
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QuestionWhy do my creations always end up very loose with lots of space?LeahlovesGodTop AnswererIf the yarn or string is thin, it will be more loose and stretched out between stitches. You can try using a thicker yarn, as well as pulling the strings on your fingers while you are working to keep them tight.
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QuestionWhat else can I finger knit with this pattern, other than a bracelet or headband?Community AnswerUse green to make a Christmas wreath. Decorate it with red beads (for berries) and a ribbon. A really long one makes a pretty garland for the tree or mantle.
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Tips
- It is much better to do this all in one sitting, or you might lose the rhythm and forget where you were. If you do take a break, slide a pencil through the loops where your fingers are to save your place. [8] X Research sourceThanks
- Thick and soft yarn works best. Thin yarn creates big holes in the finished product because the "needles" you're working with - your fingers - are comparatively large.Thanks
- Try to wrap the yarn loosely around your fingers so it is easy to pull over.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If you are just starting out on your finger knitting journey, make something small (like a bracelet) first.
- You can change colors by cutting the string you were using and knotting a different color of string on.
- You can also do this on two fingers—it's my preferred method because it makes longer strings faster.
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Warnings
- If you pull on the yarn too tightly when it is on your fingers, it can cut off circulation. Remember to keep it loose.Thanks
- If you see loose loops in your rope, don't cut them. If the loop is close to your knuckles, just pull out the stitches back to the problem and redo that part.Thanks
- If you suffer from repetitive stress injury, remember to take frequent breaks.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Fingers
References
- ↑ https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/documents/FingerKnittingInstructions.pdf
- ↑ https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/documents/FingerKnittingInstructions.pdf
- ↑ https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/documents/FingerKnittingInstructions.pdf
- ↑ https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/documents/FingerKnittingInstructions.pdf
- ↑ https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/documents/FingerKnittingInstructions.pdf
- ↑ https://youtu.be/_3xNc0tuk9Q?t=104
- ↑ https://youtu.be/_3xNc0tuk9Q?t=108
- ↑ https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/services/documents/FingerKnittingInstructions.pdf
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To finger knit, first place the tail end of some yarn between your nondominant thumb and index finger so the end is resting on your palm. Then, pull the working end of the yarn behind your index finger. Weave the working end of the yarn in front of your middle finger, then bring it around the back of your ring finger. Continue weaving the yarn around your fingers like this until you make your way back to your index finger. Repeat this weaving process again to add a second layer of yarn. Now, with your hand facing you, pull the bottom loop on the inside of your index finger up. Curl your index finger down and slide the bottom loop over it. Repeat this process for each finger. Next, wrap the working end of the yarn around your fingers twice, just above the braid you’ve just made. Repeat the loop-pulling process by sliding the bottom loop on each finger over the top of that finger. Wrap the yarn around your fingers twice again and continue pulling the loops over your fingers. Each time you do this, you’re adding another layer to your braid. When you're finished, carefully slide each finger out of the yarn loops. Cut the working end of the yarn off from the skein. Finally, slide the working end of the yarn through the closest loop on the braid and tie it to the tail end. For help finishing the knitting, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I love this. My nephew is having anxiety attack and this relieves him and gives him something to do. And so the whole family is doing it plus also using the pot holder yard. Thank you very much for the video." ..." more
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"I love this. My nephew is having anxiety attack and this relieves him and gives him something to do. And so the whole family is doing it plus also using the pot holder yard. Thank you very much for the video."
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"I forgot how to finger knit and now I know so I can help others and tell other people to look on here. And I can also come back on here to see more fun and creative stuff!"
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"I bought a loom at Michaels for $12 and I was able to make a scarf! The looms work better for me because the yarn hurts my fingers. This tutorial was great all together."
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"It was nice because I've forgotten how to finger knit in 2 years, and learning it here make me realize it again and memories just came rushing into my brain."
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"Really helpful! I liked how there were GIFs instead of just pictures. I'm literally making one right now. "
