This will focus on the very basic aspects of knitting. When understanding these techniques there will be struggles, hence the book “Knitting Without Tears” by Elizabeth Zimmerman, a fantasy novel set in a world where starting a craft doesn’t make you want to cry. I’m kidding, this is a real, and helpful book. But often we have visions of what we want to create but lack the skill to make it a reality. I understand your frustration, but take your time and I promise one day you’ll look forward to knitting.

Enough of my rambling.

You will learn how to:

1.     Make a slipknot

2.     Cast on stitches

3.     Knit stitches

What you will need:

• Yarn

• Knitting needles

• Scissors

I started out just practicing, without a pattern or project in mind. I didn’t worry about gauge or appropriate needle size for the yarn. Although I will say you want a medium size needle, not too small that you can’t see what’s going on, and too large will be hard to hold and develop dexterity when first starting out. We can discuss these other topics later or you can jump ahead. Everyone has a different style on how they learn and you do you sugar boo.

When understanding how to work with these there may be tears, hence the book “Knitting Without Tears” by Elizabeth Zimmerman, a fantasy novel set in a world where starting a craft doesn’t make you want to cry. I’m kidding, this is a great book and not all crafts start with the misery of wanting to execute your vision but lacking skill…

Enough of my rambling.

The Slipknot:

SO, when you start to knit, you make a slip knot leaving a long “tail”, the tail is the loose end of the yarn. You will use this with the “working yarn” to create your cast on stitches.

The “Working yarn” is the yarn on the other side of the slip knot that is connected to the ball/skein of yarn. This will be the yarn you continue to use to “knit” once you’ve finished casting on.

Casting On:

Casting on is the term for the method of getting the yarn onto the needle to start your work, and may be the first moment most people give up learning how to knit, as it can be cumbersome and clumsy for unexperienced hands. If you’re persistent you’ll get the hang of it and then you’re on to the fun stuff.

There are several methods for casting on that will provide different finishes, some are for a more decorative edge or a more flexible rim for garments, but for now we will be focusing on the long tail cast-on, as it is the most versatile and most commonly referenced in patterns. I say this so that as you progress remember there are other options out there.

When you’re following a pattern it will tell you how many stitches to “cast on”. This includes the first slipknot as part of that number. So, if a pattern tells you to cast on “10 stitches” you’re going to make a slip knot and cast on 9 more stitches.

The length of the tail is going to vary based on the number of stitches that need to be cast on, as well as the thickness of the yarn. The more stitches you need and the thicker the yarn, the longer the tail will be. Also, be sure to leave enough when you are done casting on to “weave in” the ends. When you’re done with your work you’ll weave that tail in to hide it.

THE KNIT STITCH:

When first learning how to knit it is going to be awkward trying to get through all the motions. Try your best not to get frustrated. Your tension and ability will improve with time and muscle memory. You will be slow as you will have to do each motion separately. Holding the needles, looping the yarn, scooting the work forward on the left and back on the right. But I promise, with time it will become natural and enjoyable.

I am a right hand knitter, and I do apologize that I will be teaching from this perspective. But here is a link to a video from Noble Knits: She teaches all the steps to left handed knitting for beginners. She “throws” like me, but from a left handed perspective. The only thing I don’t like is she demonstrates the “loop cast on”. I believe in using the long tail cast on first because it is more versatile. So here’s another link to that, from a left hand perspective by Studio Knits. You chose which one you want to do. Different strokes for different folks.

Getting Started:

1. Set yourself up by weaving your working yarn on your right hand fingers up to your index finger, this will help create tension when knitting.

2. Hold the needle with the cast on stitches in your left hand.

3. Hold your working needle in your right hand

4. Take the right hand needle and insert it into the first loop or “stitch” on the left hand needle from front to back.

5. Pinch the needles in place with your left pointer and thumb. The right needle will be sticking out of the back of the stitch.

6. Take the yarn on your right hand and loop it around the back and over the top of the right hand needle.

7. Pull that yarn through the stitch from back to front.

8. Slide the old stitch (the one you just went through) off the left needle. The new stitch remains on the right needle.

9. Repeat these steps. Until you get to the end of the row.

10. See the video below, and continued description to think about how you will continue on the following rows.

A few notes:

When working “flat”, when the ends of your knitting are not connected, if you knit every row you will get what’s called a “garter stitch”. This is because the front of knitting looks like “V’s”, while the back looks like bumps. These bumps are purls, which is the reverse of a knit stitch, which will be demonstrated later.

But if you want a consistent flat V stitch, or stockinette stitch, you will need to knit the first row and purl the next, going back and forth this way to the end of the work.

When knitting “in the round” it is a different story. Knitting in the round is a little more advanced, but easy to get the hang of. I love knitting in the round because I don’t have to seam my work when I’m done. You will have to read your patterns and determine the construction of each garment or project.