Knitting Tips

Welcome, Newbie Knitters!

July 08, 2015

Learn How to Knit

Are you a new knitter? Knitting is a fun and rewarding hobby, so let's look at what you’ll need to get started.

There are many ways to learn knitting, from classes and learning from friends, to teaching yourself with a good book or video.

One time-honored approach is to take lessons at a local craft store or yarn store, or you may be lucky enough to have a friend or family member who can teach you knitting in person. Most knitters are happy to share their knowledge and teach new knitters.

Many people teach themselves to knit by following a good learn-to-knit book or DVD, or by watching the many how-to-knit video tutorials on the internet.

Videos are especially helpful for beginning knitters, because you can replay them as often as you like, and freeze the action to see techniques more clearly.

Basic Supplies for Beginners

You don’t need a lot of tools and equipment to get started knitting. Most beginners will need only a pair of knitting needles and a ball or two of yarn to practice their first stitches.

We recommend starting with a worsted weight wool yarn (not acrylic), and a pair of knitting needles in US Size 8. You can use straight needles or a circular needle, but novices may find straight needles made of bamboo easier to handle.

You'll also want scissors, a tape measure, and a bag to keep your knitting and supplies in. Stitch markers are quite handy, so once you've gotten started, consider adding a set or two of stitch markers in sizes large enough to fit over your needles.

Eventually, you'll want to add more tools and notions, as you learn what works for you, but these basics should get you off to a good start.

Four Basic Knitting Skills

Initially, you’ll focus on learning four basic techniques that are the foundation for all knitting:

Casting on (attaching the yarn to your needle and creating the first set of loops)
Knit stitch
Purl stitch
Casting off (sometimes called binding off – finishing the knitted piece so it can be removed from the needle without unraveling).

Once you're comfortable with casting on, knit stitch, purl stitch, and binding off, you'll be ready to knit an amazing variety of items for yourself, family, and friends.

Just relax and you'll catch on. It's totally normal to feel awkward and make quite a few mistakes in the beginning -- it's all part of the learning process, and you'll be knitting easily and confidently in no time!

Happy Knitting! (Sue's signature)