Knitting Basics

Ready to get started? Let's go through some knitting basics before you start knitting!

What Do You Need to Start Knitting?

The first thing you need is a pattern. Without one you just have a ball of wool and a couple of knitting needles (hopefully) and no idea of what you can do with them!

And not just any old pattern!

As a beginner you need to choose your pattern very carefully. Although it is relatively easy to learn to knit, your first few projects need to be something simple or you will find yourself getting frustrated (and probably annoyed) to the point that you just give up.

Most patterns published these days have a rating system which allows you to select a pattern suitable for your level of experience.

Then of course you will need wool or yarn and knitting needles and at least some accessories. Your pattern will tell you what ply you need and make a suggestion as to the appropriate needle size.

When you have bought, borrowed or begged for all of the things you need, you can start knitting (almost - if you know how!)

Basic Knitting Instructions

There are only a couple of basic stitches that are used in knitting. Once you learn how to do those you can do virtually any knitting pattern.

To help you learn I have put together some basic knitting tutorials that you can view online with links to pdfs if you prefer to print them off and keep them.

• Holding the needles
The first step in learning how to knit is learning the correct method of how to hold knitting needles.


• How to do knit stitches
The first stitch that you need to learn is the knit stitch. On this page you will find step by step instruction on how to knit 'knit stitches'.


• How to do purl stitches
If you have now learned how to do knit stitches, the next step is to learn how to knit purl.


• Casting on
If you are planning on doing a lot of knitting, you are going to have to learn casting on. Knitting cannot be started until you have the required number of stitches on your needle!


• Casting off
Once you have mastered casting on, how to knit and purl it is time to learn the method of casting knitting off.


• Increasing Stitches
Another basic knitting technique that you will have to learn is increasing stitches.

Stitches are increased in knitting by making two or more stitches out of one to increase the total number of stitches on the right hand needle.

• Decreasing Stitches
Another basic knitting technique that you will have to learn is decreasing stitches.

Stitches are decreased in knitting by making one stitches out of two or more to decrease the total number of stitches on the right hand needle. In some patterns, you might also see this basic knitting technique being called knit two together.

Once you have mastered these basic techniques, you might like to learn how to do basic knitting stitches, like garter stitch or stocking stitch.

Reading a Pattern

Reading and understanding a pattern is a unique skill and needs to be learned if you career as a knitter is to be successful!

On this page you will find an outline of each of the major sections in a pattern so that you know what to look for in a pattern and to help you understand how to interpret what the pattern is telling you.

Understanding Knitting Jargon

Every pattern that you pick up will be filled with terms that you are unfamiliar with and a lot of abbreviations.

Would you like to know what they all mean?

Basic Knitting Accessories

If you are new to knitting, you will come across a bewildering array of knitting accessories for you to choose from. Would you like to know from an experienced knitter, which ones are worth buying?

You are also going to have to decide which type of knitting needles you want to use and you are going to need some knitting yarn and a pattern.