Knitting Instructions for Beginners

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Are you looking for knitting instructions that are written in plain English so that they are easy to follow? 

On this page you will find a series of links to my 'How To' pages that contain simple instructions on knitting basics and how to knit a variety of items, from socks to ponchos or a sweater for your dog.

These instruction pages will help you to find the right pattern or to develop one of your own. They will offer you information about any tricks involved in making the garment and tips to make your task easier.

Basic Knitting Instructions

When you are just beginning to knit, it is important that you concentrate on learning and mastering a couple of basic techniques like how to hold the needles and forming knit and purl stitches.  

If you are doing this alone and have no-one that can help you, you will also need to work out how to cast on your knitting so that you can get started and how to cast off when you have finished the knitting.  

In this first section we cover the first few skills you will need to learn, which includes:

• how to form knit stitches
• how to cast on and off
• how to form purl stitches and
• how to do some of the basic knit stitches

But don't be in too much of a rush.  If you concentrate on learning how to cast on and how to form knit stitches you can actually start to knit some simple projects so that you can practice your new skills.  And in the case of knitting - practice really does make perfect!

If you want your knitting to look like the work of experienced knitters, the only way to make that happen is to become experienced yourself.  So pick up a pair of needles and let's get started...

Holding the needles

How to cast on

How to do knit stitches 

How to do purl stitches 

How to cast off 

Basic Knitting Stitches

Once you are comfortable with those basic techniques you will probably be dying to try something more challenging than just knitting a plain square or rectangle (although many very useful knitted items are quite plain and either square or rectangular like scarves, blankets, cushions covers etc...) and if you are planning to make anything that has shaping, you are going to need to know how to increase and decrease stitches.

Although there are quite a few ways of doing either, the tutorial below will outline the steps for the most common or basic methods for you to try and practice.

How to increase stitches 

How to decrease stitches

More Instructions

These instructions will guide you through the steps you need to learn to complete these tasks:

Sew your knitted pieces together 

how to cast on rib-wise

How to knit buttonholes

How to knit cables 

How to do a provisional cast on 

How to finger knit

Knitting on circular needles 

How to do Magic Loop Knitting

Knitting on double pointed needles 

French Knitting Instructions

How to Use Cable Needles

Instructions for Projects

How to knit a scarf 

How to knit a hat 

How to knit socks 

How to knit a beanie

How to knit a sweater 

How to knit mittens 

How to knit gloves

How to knit a poncho 

How to knit traditional baby booties

How to knit a garter stitch booties

How to knit a blanket

How to knit dog toys