Whether you're new to knitting or just need a refresher on some of the basics, here's all you need to know to get started.
Knitting Skills:
There are several basic skills involved in learning to knit, such as:
- making a slip knot and casting on
- forming the knit stitch
- forming the purl stitch
- binding off, sometimes also referred to as casting off
You'll also need a few basic knitting tools to get started.
Picking a Pattern:
Once you've got the basics down, it's time to pick your first project. It's a good idea to start with something small and flat or that doesn't require shaping. Learn more about knitting skill level to help you choose a good beginner project.
Many patterns, even those for beginners, seem to be written in code. Here are some tips on reading a pattern and common knitting abbreviations. If you need more help deciphering a pattern, check out the knitting glossary.
Finishing Projects:
Once you've reached the end of your knitting, all is not quite finished. Depending on the project, you will need to do one or several of the following before your work is done:
- weaving in ends
- blocking knitting for projects that need to be a particular shape or size
- sewing up seams
Learning New Skills:
Once you're comfortable with the basics and have successfully finished a project or two, there are many more skills to try. Here are a few that are well-suited to beginners:
- making I-cord
- knitting stripes
- knitting with circular needles
Troubleshooting:
We all have problems with our knitting from time to time, but most of them are easily fixable. The worst thing that can ever happen when you do something wrong is that you have to tear the work out and start over, but some mistakes, like a dropped stitch, can be fixed in less dramatic ways.
- fixing knitting mistakes
- dealing with holes in your knitting
- fixing a dropped stitch
- learn about proper stitch orientation so you can put the stitches back on your needle correctly if some have fallen off
