Basic Knitting

Basic knitting techniques are particularly suitable for beginners as they are relatively straight-forward and easy to do.

Garter Stitch

Garter stitch is the easiest of all of the knitting techniques and is reasonably popular with most beginners.

This is because with Garter Stitch you do knit stitches on all rows of your knitting. No purl stitches at all!

Not only that, but with this stitch or pattern, both sides of the knitting look the same so you can pick which side you want to show the world.

If you would like to start a project using Garter Stitch you could try knitting yourself a Scarf.

Or if you are feeling really adventurous you could try knitting a Garter Stitch jumper!

Knitting Instructions for Garter Stitch

1st row - Knit all stitches.

Repeat 1st row until work measures length desired.

Stocking Stitch

Stocking stitch is done by alternating one row of knit stitches and with a row of purl stitches.

The knit row is the 'right' side of the knitting and the purl row is the 'wrong' or 'back' side of the knitting.

Reverse stocking stitch is done by alternating one row of purl stitches and with a row of knit.

The purl row is the 'right' side of the knitting and the knit row is the 'wrong' or 'back' side of the knitting.

Knitting Instructions for Stocking Stitch

1st row - Knit all stitches.

2nd row - Purl all stitches.

Repeat 1st and 2nd rows until work measures length desired.

Basic One by One Rib

The one by one rib is done by alternating one knit stitch with one purl stitch across the row. On the second row, you purl each stitch that was a knit stitch on the first row, and you knit each stitch that was a purl stitch on the first row.

Sounds complicated but it really isn't. The back of a knit stitch looks like a purl stitch and vice versa, so when you get to the second row, you just follow the pattern!

Once you have mastered the one by one rib you can play around with your rib to create different effects. For example, you could try a two by two rib (2 knits stitches alternated with 2 purl stitches), or a three by two rib.

Knitting Instructions for Stocking Stitch

Worked over an uneven number of stitches.

1st row - K1, P1, rep these 2 stitches to last st, K1.

2nd row - P1, K1, rep these 2 stitches to last st, P1.

Repeat 1st and 2nd rows until work measures length desired.

Basic Knitting Patterns for Beginners

Now that you know how to do each of the basic knitting stitches, you will need to find a knitting pattern so that you can get started!