How to Start Knitting (with Advice from the Experts)

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Everything you need to know, including casting on, easy stitches, yarn types, and needle sizes for new knitters
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Blankets, scarves, sweaters, gloves, stuffed animals—there’s virtually no limit to what you can make with some yarn and a pair of needles. When it comes to knitting, once you’ve got the basics down, the only limit is your imagination (and maybe the occasional hand cramp). So we’re here to show you just that! We’ll guide you through casting on, knitting a row, and casting off, plus a few other handy stitches to get you started on your knitting journey.

Things You Should Know

  • Use chunky yarn and large needles to develop your grip and learn the basic stitches.
  • Cast on by making a slipknot on a needle, then adding knots until you have the desired number of stitches.
  • Knit stitches by slipping the right-hand needle up and through the cast-on stitches, then wrapping the yarn around the tip. Then, pull the yarn through the stitch.
  • Cast off by knitting 2 stitches, then slipping the first stitch over the second, repeating until the end of the row.
Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Casting On

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  1. Yarn comes in a wide range of textures, weights, and colors, but we recommend that beginners start with a medium to heavy weight yarn (often called “worsted”) and wooden or bamboo needles that are 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) in diameter. Larger yarn and needles makes things easier to handle and see.

    Tip : You may want to follow a beginner’s pattern when you are ready to knit your first project. Try making a dishcloth or a beanie for a quick and easy knitting project.

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Make a slipknot to begin casting on. To make your first stitch, loop the yarn around your index and middle finger 2 times. Then, pull the first loop over the second loop. Tug on the tail (or end) of the yarn to tighten the knot around the base of the loop. Then, slip the loop onto a knitting needle and tug the tail more to secure the knot. [2]
    • The slipknot counts as your first cast on stitch, so make sure to include it if you are counting stitches.
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  3. Holding the needle in your right hand, position the slipknot about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from the tip. Take the long end (or “working end”) of the yarn, and wrap it clockwise around your left hand so that the working end hangs off your palm, below where the yarn meets the needle. [3]
    • Grip the needle securely (but not too tightly) near the first stitch with your right index finger and thumb. Wrap your other 3 fingers loosely around the body of the needle to make it easier to control.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Bring the yarn over the needle so that it loops above your first stitch. Then use your left hand to tug on the working end to tighten the loop and create your second stitch. Don’t pull it too tight—just enough to wrap snugly around the needle. [4]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Continue to repeat the same process to cast on additional stitches, looping the yarn around your hand, threading the needle up through it, and pulling it taught. For this beginner tutorial, we’ll just cast-on a total of 12 switches to make a small swatch. [5]
    • Remember to include the slipknot in your total cast on stitch count.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Basic Knit Stitch

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  1. Always start a new row by transferring your knitting needles to the opposite hands. The needle in your left hand will have all of the stitches on it ( the “loaded” needle) and the needle in your right hand will be empty. Hold the working end of the yarn in your right hand, threaded over the top of your right index finger. [6]
    • Left-handed knitters tend to learn to knit with the loaded needle in their left hand, as well, though if you prefer you can hold the loaded needle in your left hand, mirroring these steps as you go.
    • Use the same grip as you used to cast on your stitches.
    • Holding the yarn in your right hand is known as English knitting or English throwing. There is also continental knitting [7] or combination/combined knitting [8] where you hold the yarn in the left hand. Both styles are said to be easier for people with previous crochet experience.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Push the tip of the needle through by about 0.5 in (1.3 cm), approaching from the underside of the stitch. If you have difficulty pushing it through, your cast-on stitches may be too tight—in this case, re-cast your stitches, making the new stitches a bit looser. [9]
    • Make sure that the working yarn is hanging behind your work when you do this.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Use your right index finger to wrap the yarn around the back of your right-hand needle. Then bring it back toward you so that it rests between the crux of both needles. [10]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    With the tip of the right-hand needle, pull the working yarn through the topmost stitch. Let the old, cast-on stitch that was on the left-hand needle slip off so that the new stitch settles onto the right-hand needle. Be careful not to let the new stitch slip off the right-hand needle. [11]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Follow the same sequence to knit more stitches. Keep knitting until you reach the end of the row and the left-hand needle is empty. [12]
    • Use a row counter or a row counting app to make it easier to keep track of how many rows you have knit.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Place the right-hand needle in your left hand, so that your left hand is now holding the needle with all the stitches. Hold the empty needle in your right hand. Then, continue knitting in the same way as you knit the last row. [13]
    • Do your best to keep the yarn at an even tension, to make all the stitches equal in size. It’ll take some practice, but that’s what this first knitting exercise is for!
    • A knit stitch is denoted on patterns with a “K”, for example: K1, K2, K3, etc., which mean “knit 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches,” and so on.
    • A “garter stitch” is made by using this stitch to create every row.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Casting Off

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    When you’ve completed your last row and are ready to cast off (or “bind off”) the last row of stitches, knit the first 2 stitches in the row as usual. [14]
    • Use the same grip you used to knit the previous rows.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Insert the point of the needle downward through the first stitch (or, the second stitch from the tip of the needle). Next, push the left hand needle into the first stitch (second stitch from the tip) of the right-hand needle. [15]
    • Make sure the working yarn is behind your knitting.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Use the left-hand needle to lift the stitch up and over the top stitch of the right-hand needle. This will leave you with 1 stitch on the right-hand needle. [16]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Knit another stitch in the same way that you knit the first 2 stitches. Insert the right-hand needle through the stitch on the left-hand needle, wrap the yarn under and over, and pull it through. Let the old stitch slip off as the new stitch replaces it. [17]
    • This will leave you with 2 stitches on the right-hand needle again.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Use the left-hand needle to lift the bottom stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the top stitch just like you did the first time. [18]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Continue to knit 1 and lift 1 up and over that stitch until you have 1 stitch left on the right-hand needle. Pull this stitch to widen it and then cut the working yarn about 6 in (15 cm) from the base of the stitch. Thread the freshly cut yarn through the final stitch, and tug to tighten and complete the cast-off. [19]

    Tip : If desired, you can also weave in the loose ends at the beginning and end of the project using a yarn needle. These are available in craft supply stores and you use them just like you would use a sewing needle. Thread the yarn through the eye of the needle and sew through the stitches on the edge of the project or through the backside to hide the loose ends.

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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Other Stitches

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Purl stitch by performing the inverse of a knit stitch. The purl stitch is basically the opposite of the knit stitch. Thread the right-hand needle down through the top stitch on the left-hand needle, this time bringing the right-hand needle in front of the left. Then loop the working yarn over and behind the tip of the right-hand needle, and bring it through the stitch using a pushing motion. [20]
    • Purl is usually represented by a “P” in patterns followed by the number you need to purl, such as P1, P2, P3, etc., which mean “purl 1 stitch, purl 2 stitches, purl 3 stitches,” and so on.
    • A “stockinette stitch” is made simply by knitting 1 row then purling 1 row, alternating as you work.
    • A “seed stitch” is made by alternative knits and purls within the same row.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Knit
    Work an increase or decrease to change the number of stitches. If you need to add or remove stitches from a row in your work, use increase or decrease stitches. To increase , knit through the same stitch 2 times (without slipping it off between knits) to add a stitch. To decrease , knit through 2 stitches at once to remove a stitch. [21]
    • If you are using a pattern, make sure to follow the instructions for increasing and decreasing carefully. These stitches are important for ensuring you get the desired results.
  3. There are many different types of knit stitches you can try. Find a stitch that interests you and try it out! Some stitches you might try include:
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  • Question
    Can I switch colors, and how do I do it?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You can! To switch colors, simply knit a stitch with the working end of a new ball of yarn, letting the old yarn fall away. Then tie off or weave in the old yarn.
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  • Question
    How do you purl two together?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    To purl 2 stitches together, thread the right-hand needle down through the top 2 stitches on the left-hand needle. Wrap the yarn around the tip of the right needle, and bring it up through the 2 stitches.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    I keep ending up with a loose lope at the beginning of my work and i cant tighten it in. Any advice or explanation as to why this is happening?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    That may be your slipknot stitch! Make sure your slipknot is snug around the needle, and try pulling slightly on the short end of the yarn to keep it taut.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ Gregory Patrick. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2019.
      2. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEoINJcJVSE&t=304s
      4. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      5. ↑ Gregory Patrick. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2019.
      6. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      7. ↑ https://nimble-needles.com/tutorials/how-to-knit-for-beginners/
      8. ↑ https://bellaknitting.typepad.com/bella_knitting/2008/05/combined-knitti.html
      9. ↑ https://sheepandstitch.com/how-to-knit/
      1. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      2. ↑ https://sheepandstitch.com/how-to-knit/
      3. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      4. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEoINJcJVSE&t=1017s
      6. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEoINJcJVSE&t=1040s
      8. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      9. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
      10. ↑ https://sheepandstitch.com/how-to-knit/
      11. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/mar06_purl.html
      12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3rl_Js4EN8&feature=youtu.be&t=16

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To knit, start by making a slip knot on one of your knitting needles, which will be your first stitch. Then, cast on your knitting needle to make your next stitch. After you cast on once, you can cast on as many times as you'd like, depending on how many stitches you want. When you're finished casting on, insert your second knitting needle into the stitch that's closest to the point on your first needle. Next, wrap the yarn you're working with around your second needle so it's resting in between both needles. From there, poke the second needle through the loop around the first needle. Now, pull the stitch off of the first needle and onto the second needle. Repeat the process for all of the stitches you made on the first needle until they're all on the second needle. Keep transferring the stitches back and forth between the needles until you're satisfied with your piece. Finally, when you're finished, cast off and snip the excess yarn with scissors.

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