Everything you always wanted to know about knitting and purling but didn't know who to ask. From how to cast on and bind off to making basic pattern stitches, learn the skills to start knitting right away.
Readers share how and why they learned to knit.
There are many reasons to knit beyond just producing your own garments and knit items for family members, friends and charity. Share your reasons for knitting and read why other knitters knit.
If you're still learning how to knit or are a very new knitter, this step-by-step guide to knitting a simple Garter Stitch square should help you understand the basics. When you're done, you can use the swatch as a coaster.
If you're new to knitting, this guide will provide you all the information you need to learn to knit, pick your first project, deal with problems and more.
Knitting abbreviations can sometimes confuse both new and seasoned knitters. Here's a list of common abbreviations, as well as some you may never see.
The knit stitch is the basis of all other knitting. Once you've mastered the knit stitch you can make your first knitted project. Here's how to form the stitch in English, aka American or throwing style.
The second-most common stitch in the knitting world is the purl stitch, sort of the opposite of a knit. Once you know how to knit and purl, you can make all sorts of fun knitted items. Here's how to form the purl stitch in English, throwing or American style.
If you're used to English knitting, learning to purl in continental style may seem a little more difficult, but once you get the hang of it it's not too hard, and switching between knitting and purling in the same row in Continental is a lot faster than working in the English style.
Continental knitting, sometimes also referred to as German knitting or picking knitting, is one of the most common ways to knit. Here's how you make the knit stitch using continental knitting style.
Knitting patterns often seem like they are written in code. Here are some tips for reading your first knitting patterns.
Choosing patterns as a new knitter can be nerve-wracking. How do you know what will be easy when you barely know how to read a pattern? These five patterns are easy, fun and not at all boring.
Nearly every knitting pattern warns you to be sure to check your gauge. Learn how to knit a gauge swatch and why it is important to check your gauge.
Many knitting patterns warn you to be sure to check your gauge. Learn how to knit a gauge swatch and why it is important to check your gauge.
Knitting an exploration swatch, or a "getting to know you" swatch, is a really great idea when you're trying to decide what to do with a particular yarn or just want to see what the stitches are going to look like before you start your project.
Knitting in the front and back of a stitch (kfb) is a relatively easy way to make an increase. If the name isn't explanatory enough, here's a look at how to do it step by step.
Sometimes in a pattern instead of specific instructions you'll see something that says to knit the knits and purl the purls as you see them. Find out what that means.
Joining a new ball of yarn to your project is an essential skill if you want to knit something bigger than one skein of yarn will allow. There are a few different ways to join start a new yarn ball, and here are couple of the most popular.
When you're working with an animal hair fiber yarn like wool, alpaca or llama, you can easily and seamlessly join a new ball of yarn by felting the two yarns together, also known as a spit join.
Many luxury yarns are sold in hanks, which must be wound into balls before you can knit with them. Here's a quick and easy way to handle a hank of yarn.
