How to Start Knitting

Knitting looks complicated from the outside, but it is built from a handful of movements repeated over and over. You only need two stitches to make a scarf: knit and purl. Start with knit alone and you can still make something useful.

The first ten minutes feel awkward. That is normal. Your hands are learning a new pattern, and tension comes with practice. Choose light-colored yarn in a medium weight so you can see your stitches clearly.

Start with a swatch, not a sweater

A small square teaches you cast on, knit, turn, and bind off without the pressure of a project. Once that feels manageable, a scarf is a natural next step.

Things you'll need

• Worsted-weight yarn in a light color
• Pair of 5 mm (US size 8) knitting needles
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• A small notebook for notes (optional)

Step-by-step

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Step 1: Make a slip knot

Create a loop with a tail of yarn and pull a second loop through it, leaving a tail about six inches long. Slide the loop onto one needle and tighten gently. This is your first stitch.

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Step 2: Cast on about 20 stitches

Use the long-tail cast-on or the backward-loop cast-on. Both are fine for a first project. Count your stitches after every few additions; 20 is a comfortable width for practice.

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Step 3: Learn the knit stitch

Hold the needle with stitches in your left hand. Insert the right needle into the front of the first stitch from left to right, wrap the working yarn around the tip, and pull the loop through. Slide the old stitch off the left needle.

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Step 4: Knit a whole row

Repeat the knit stitch across every stitch on the left needle. When the row is finished, the stitches are on the right needle. Turn the work and knit another row. This produces garter stitch, which lies flat and looks the same on both sides.

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Step 5: Practice until the motion smooths out

Knit 10 to 15 rows. Do not worry about small holes or uneven edges yet. Focus on keeping the yarn tension steady and the stitches on the needle rather than stretched.

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Step 6: Bind off

Knit two stitches. Lift the first stitch over the second and off the needle. Knit one more stitch and repeat until one stitch remains. Cut the yarn, pull the tail through the last loop, and tighten.

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Step 7: Weave in the ends

Thread the tails onto a tapestry needle and weave them through the back of the fabric for a few inches. Trim the excess. Your swatch is finished — and you now know the core skills.

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Step 8: Choose a first project

Make a scarf by casting on 20 to 30 stitches and knitting every row until it is as long as you like. Use a smooth, medium-weight yarn and avoid fuzzy novelty yarns until your tension is consistent.

Tips

• Use light-colored, smooth yarn so you can see each stitch.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row at first.
• If the yarn feels too tight, relax your grip and try again.
• A scarf is the best first project: flat, simple, and forgiving.
• Keep your first swatch; it shows how far you have come.

Warnings

• Take breaks to avoid repetitive strain in your hands and wrists.
• Keep needles, scissors, and small pieces away from young children and pets.
• Do not leave knitting on the floor where it can be stepped on or chewed.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a scarf be?

A simple scarf is usually 5 to 7 feet long and 6 to 8 inches wide. Knit until it is the length you like, then bind off.

Why do holes appear in my knitting?

Holes usually come from accidentally adding stitches or from a loose edge. Count your stitches and slow down when you turn the work.

Do I need circular needles?

Not for a scarf. Straight needles are fine. Circular needles become useful for hats, blankets, and anything knit in the round.