Knitting
Loops pulled through loops, row after row, until there is fabric. A first scarf needs one stitch, one yarn and a few evenings.
What it is like
Knitting makes fabric out of a single strand: each new loop is pulled through the one below it, and the needles only hold the live row. There are just two stitches, knit and purl, and purl is the knit stitch seen from the other side. Everything else, from ribbing to cables, is an arrangement of those two.
That is why a first scarf is a fair goal. Garter stitch uses the knit stitch only, lies flat and forgives uneven tension. What a beginner really learns in it is rhythm and counting: how to tell a stitch from a split strand, how to spot a dropped loop, and when to stop and fix rather than knit on. Gauge, the number of stitches per four inches, starts to matter with the first thing that has to fit.
What you make changes how the hobby feels. Scarves, dishcloths and blankets are rows and rhythm; hats, socks and mittens are small circles that finish in days; sweaters are long projects measured in weeks, where gauge, fit and finishing decide whether you wear the result. Most knitters keep two things going at once: a plain project for knitting while talking or watching something, and a harder one for quiet evenings.
The costs stay modest for a long time. Needles last for years, and the running cost is yarn, which ranges from inexpensive acrylic to hand-dyed wool that can cost more per skein than the needles did. A sweater’s worth of yarn is the first real purchase most knitters think about twice, which is one reason to knit a swatch first.
Knitting is also unusually social for a craft. Knit nights at yarn shops and libraries, guilds and online pattern communities are easy to find, and help from someone watching your hands is the fastest way past the first week’s tangles.
- A session
- 20 minutes to a couple of hours; a row can always be finished and the work put down.
- A week
- A few hours a week finishes a scarf in two or three weeks and a hat in about one.
- Season
- All year, though most people knit more in autumn and winter.
Indoors or out · Solo, For two, With kids, A club
Kinds and styles
Back and forth in rows on two straight needles, turning the work at the end of each row. Scarves, blankets and the pieces of a seamed sweater are knit flat. The easiest place to start.
Around and around in a tube on a circular needle or a set of double-pointed needles, with no turning and usually no seams. Hats, socks, mittens and many modern sweaters are knit this way.
Two ways of holding the yarn. English knitters hold it in the right hand and wrap it around the needle; continental knitters hold it in the left and pick it through. Both make the same fabric; use whichever feels natural.
More than one color in a row. Stranded knitting, the Fair Isle family, carries the unused color along the back; intarsia knits separate blocks of color, each from its own small ball of yarn.
Crossing groups of stitches over each other to make rope-like cables, or mixing knits and purls into ribs, seed stitch and basketweave. Aran sweaters are the classic example.
Holes on purpose: a yarn over makes a hole and a decrease next to it keeps the stitch count steady. Shawls in fine yarn are the usual lace project.
Is it for you?
You will probably love it if
- You like having something in your hands while you listen, watch or wait
- You want a project that lives in a bag and travels
- Slow, repetitive work that adds up to something you can wear sounds calming
Maybe not, if
- You want a finished thing tonight; even a scarf takes several evenings
- Counting stitches and reading a pattern sounds like homework
- Your hands or wrists already ache after a few minutes of fine work
What to buy first
- 01Worsted-weight yarn, about 400 yardsA smooth, light-colored yarn shows every stitch while you learn; enough for a first scarfFind it on Amazon$8
- 02Bamboo needles, US sizes 6, 7 and 8Bamboo grips the stitches so they do not slide off, and three sizes let you match the gaugeFind it on Amazon$10
- 03Yarn needles, a set of threeBlunt, big-eyed needles for weaving in the tails at the endFind it on Amazon$7
- 04Locking stitch markers, a pack of 20Mark the start of a row, count in tens, or catch a dropped stitch before it runsFind it on Amazon$6
- 05Tape measure, 60 inchesFor checking gauge on a swatch and the length of the scarfFind it on Amazon$4
- Everything you need to beginAbout $15 a month after that$35
Typical US prices for entry-level gear, rounded. Last checked October 2026. How we get the numbers
The Amazon links open a search for that type of item, not a product chosen for us, and the prices in the list are our typical figures, or the listing of the shop a line names, not Amazon's price for any listing. If you buy through one we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What to buy next
- 01Circular needle, 16 inches, US 7 or 8The short circular needle for knitting hats and tubes in the roundFind it on Amazon The first hat
- 02Double-pointed needlesFor knitting small circles when there are too few stitches for a circular needleFind it on Amazon Hat crowns, mittens, socks
- 03Row counterKeeps track of rows in shaping and cable patternsFind it on Amazon The first pattern
- 04Blocking mats and rust-proof pinsWet a finished piece, pin it to shape and let it dry; lace in particular opens up only after blockingFind it on Amazon Lace or a first sweater
- 05Interchangeable circular needle setOne set of tips and cables covers most needle sizes and lengthsFind it on Amazon After several projects
- 06Yarn swift and ball winderHand-dyed yarn often comes in a twisted loop that has to be wound into a ball before you knitFind it on Amazon When you start buying yarn in hanks
No prices here on purpose: these are later buys, and what to spend depends on how far the hobby has taken you. The Amazon links work like the ones above: a search for the type of item, and a possible commission for us at no extra cost to you.
Beginner knitting kits compared
Two learn-the-basics kits from We Are Knitters: six stitches, one practice square at a time, sewn into something useful at the end.
| Model | Type | Specs | Who it suits | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| We Are Knitters Beginner Sampler Kit, Snood | Learn-the-basics kit | Six stitches, plus casting on, knit, purl and binding off; the squares sew into a scarf or snood; sold with 8 mm straight or circular needles, or without | A first project you can wear | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| We Are Knitters Beginner Sampler Kit, Placemat & Coaster | Learn-the-basics kit | The same six stitches and techniques; the squares become coasters and dishcloths; same needle options | A first project for the home | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
How we put this together. Two kits compared on what We Are Knitters states on its own product pages. We have not knitted them side by side. Checked on 26 October 2026. There are no prices in this table: the Amazon link searches for the exact model, and we may earn a commission if you buy through it.
From a slip knot to a finished scarf, and what comes next, step by step
Knitting is two stitches - knit and purl - and what you do with them. This guide goes from choosing yarn and needles to casting on, fixing mistakes, binding off and the techniques that follow, with the choices at each step. Yarn weights are the Craft Yarn Council's standard.
The short version: a garter-stitch scarf in 5 stepsMake a slip knot and cast on about 24 stitches with the long-tail cast on, using the US 8 needle. In worsted yarn that makes a scarf roughly five to six inches wide.
Knit to the end, turn the work, knit back. Knitting every row is called garter stitch: it lies flat, does not curl and looks the same on both sides.
Count the stitches every few rows. A row that has grown usually means a stitch was split or wrapped twice; a row that has shrunk means one was dropped. Catch it on a locking marker and work it back up.
When the first skein runs out, start the new one at the beginning of a row and leave six-inch tails of both. The tails get woven in at the end.
Knit two stitches, lift the first over the second, and repeat to the end. Thread each tail on the yarn needle and weave it through the ridges on the back for a few inches.
A garter-stitch scarf
Face on, partway up the scarf, the stitches of the current row still on the needle.
- A Needle US 8, straight Knits flat, back and forth. Step 2 →
- B Live stitches Count every few rows More means one split; fewer, one dropped. Step 5 →
- C Working yarn New ball at a row start Six-inch tails. Step 6 →
- D Garter ridges Garter stitch Lies flat, no curl. Step 4 →
- E Cast-on edge Long-tail Loose and stretchy. Step 3 →
Steps 1-2Materials
- Step 1 of 10 · Materials
Choose the yarn
Yarns are graded by weight from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo) in the Craft Yarn Council's Standard Yarn Weight System, each with a typical needle size and gauge. A smooth, light-coloured yarn shows every stitch while you learn.
Most people: medium (4) - worsted or aran (a first scarf).
Start here Medium (4) - worsted or aranBest forA first scarf
About 16-20 stitches to 4 in on US 7-9 (4.5-5.5 mm) needles.
Bulky (5) - chunkyBest forQuick results
About 12-15 stitches to 4 in on US 9-11 (5.5-8 mm) needles.
Light (3) - DKBest forFiner fabric later
About 21-24 stitches to 4 in on US 5-7 (3.75-4.5 mm) needles.
Goes wrong: Splitting the yarn. Catching only some of the plies leaves a ragged stitch; smooth yarn and blunter needles help.
- Step 2 of 10 · Materials
Choose the needles
Straight needles knit flat, back and forth; circular and double-pointed needles knit in the round, a tube with no turning (Wikipedia).
Most people: bamboo straights, US 8 (a first scarf).
Start here Bamboo straights, US 8Best forA first scarf
Bamboo grips the stitches so they do not slide off.
Circular needleBest forHats and tubes
Two tips joined by a cable; also works flat.
Double-pointed needlesBest forSocks and mittens
Four or five short needles for small tubes.
Steps 3-7The first project
- Step 3 of 10 · The first project
Cast on
Make a slip knot and cast on about 24 stitches. Wikipedia describes two families of cast-on: the thumb or long-tail method gives a loose, stretchy edge; the knit-on and cable cast-ons give a firmer one.
Most people: long-tail (most projects).
Start here Long-tailBest forMost projects
Stretchy and neat; needs a tail about three times the width.
Knitted or cable cast-onBest forFirm edges
Worked with both needles, like knitting new stitches on.
- Step 4 of 10 · The first project
Knit every row
Knit to the end, turn and knit back. Knitting every row makes garter stitch, which Wikipedia notes has little curl; stockinette - knit one row, purl the next - has a strong tendency to curl at the edges, which is why first scarves are garter.
Goes wrong: Knitting too tightly. Stitches that barely slide are a beginner's habit; relax the grip and push stitches onto the full width of the needle.
- Step 5 of 10 · The first project
Count and fix as you go
Count the stitches every few rows. A row that has grown usually means a stitch was split or wrapped twice; one that has shrunk means a stitch was dropped. Catch a dropped stitch on a locking marker and work it back up with a crochet hook - Wikipedia calls the hook essential for this.
Goes wrong: Extra stitches at the edges. Bringing the yarn over the needle when turning makes the first stitch look like two.
- Step 6 of 10 · The first project
Join a new ball
When the first ball runs out, start the new one at the beginning of a row, leaving six-inch tails of both to weave in at the end.
- Step 7 of 10 · The first project
Bind off and finish
Knit two stitches, lift the first over the second, and repeat to the end, so the live stitches come off the needle without unravelling. Weave each tail through the ridges on the back for a few inches with a blunt yarn needle.
Steps 8-10Next projects
- Step 8 of 10 · Next projects
Learn to purl and swatch
Purl is a knit stitch seen from the other side. With both stitches you can knit stockinette and ribbing. Before a fitted project, knit a gauge swatch at least 4 in square - 6-8 in is more accurate - and count stitches and rows; if you have too many stitches, go up a needle size, too few, go down (Wikipedia).
Goes wrong: Skipping the swatch. A sweater at the wrong gauge comes out the wrong size.
- Step 9 of 10 · Next projects
Choose how to hold the yarn
Both styles make the same fabric (Wikipedia); use whichever feels natural.
English (throwing)Best forRight-handed habits
Yarn in the right hand, wrapped around the needle.
Continental (picking)Best forSpeed for many
Yarn in the left hand, picked through the stitch.
- Step 10 of 10 · Next projects
Choose the next technique
Wikipedia describes the main directions after the basics.
Most people: knitting in the round (hats and socks).
Start here Knitting in the roundBest forHats and socks
A continuous tube on circular or double-pointed needles.
CablesBest forTexture
Stitches worked out of order, held on a cable needle, so columns cross.
Fair IsleBest forColourwork in rows
Two or more yarns in a row, the unused one carried along the back.
IntarsiaBest forBlocks of colour
A separate small ball of yarn for each colour area.
In shortIf it goes wrong
- Splitting the yarn.
- Step 1 · Choose the yarn
- Knitting too tightly.
- Step 4 · Knit every row
- Extra stitches at the edges.
- Step 5 · Count and fix as you go
- Skipping the swatch.
- Step 8 · Learn to purl and swatch
How you get better
- Weeks 1 to 2Knit and purl, one garter scarf
Cast on, knit every row, bind off. By the end of the scarf the movements are automatic and stitches look even.
- Month 1 to 2Stockinette, ribbing and a first hat
Alternate knit and purl rows for smooth stockinette, combine them into ribbing, and knit a simple hat in the round on a circular needle with a few decreases at the crown.
- Months 3 to 6Shaping and patterns
Mittens or socks teach increases, decreases and picking up stitches; a cable or lace scarf teaches following a chart row by row.
- Months 6 to 12A first sweater
Swatch, check gauge, and follow a sweater pattern in your size. Many people start with a top-down raglan knit in the round, which can be tried on as it grows.
- After thatColorwork, lace and your own designs
Stranded colorwork, fine lace, and adapting patterns to fit - or writing your own.
- Casting on and binding off
- Knit and purl
- Counting stitches and rows
- Reading your knitting
- Fixing a dropped stitch
- Checking gauge
- Increases and decreases
- Reading a written pattern
- Following a chart
- Knitting in the round
- Picking up stitches
- Blocking a finished piece
Small things that help
- Knit a four-inch square swatch before any project that has to fit, and wash it the way you will wash the finished thing before you measure it.
- Thread a lifeline - a piece of smooth scrap yarn through every stitch of a row - before a tricky section. If it goes wrong, rip back to the lifeline instead of to the start.
- Keep stitches on the thick part of the needle, not the tapered tip; tight stitches are usually stitches knitted on the tip.
- Take a photo of your place in the pattern, or mark it, before you put the work away.
- Buy all the yarn for a project at once, from the same dye lot printed on the label.
- Good light makes counting and fixing far easier, especially with dark yarn.
Beginner mistakes
- 01Twisted stitchesWrapping the yarn the wrong way or knitting into the back of a stitch by accident twists it. A twisted stitch leans; check how the front leg of each stitch sits on the needle.
- 02Extra stitches at the edgesBringing the yarn over the needle when turning can make the first stitch look like two. Count at the end of every few rows.
- 03Knitting too tightlyStitches that will barely slide are a beginner's habit. Relax the grip and push stitches onto the full width of the needle.
- 04Splitting the yarnCatching only some of the plies of the yarn leaves a ragged stitch. Blunter needles and a smooth yarn help while learning.
- 05Not reading the pattern aheadInstructions like 'at the same time' change two things at once. Read each section to the end before starting it.
Yarn weights and the needles for them
The Craft Yarn Council's standard weight system, the numbers printed on most US yarn labels. Ranges are guidelines; the pattern's gauge wins.
| Weight | Also called | US needles | Stitches per 4 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Super fine | Sock, fingering, baby | 1 to 3 | 27 to 32 |
| 2 Fine | Sport, baby | 3 to 5 | 23 to 26 |
| 3 Light | DK, light worsted | 5 to 7 | 21 to 24 |
| 4 Medium | Worsted, afghan, Aran | 7 to 9 | 16 to 20 |
| 5 Bulky | Chunky, craft, rug | 9 to 11 | 12 to 15 |
| 6 Super bulky | Super bulky, roving | 11 to 17 | 7 to 11 |
Why people quit
- 01Never checking gaugeA hat or sweater knit without a swatch comes out a size off, and the work of weeks feels wasted. Knit a four-inch square first and count.
- 02Too much too soonA first project with cables, colorwork and shaping usually stalls. A scarf, a dishcloth and a plain hat teach the hands before the head has to follow a chart.
- 03Fear of the dropped stitchA dropped stitch is fixable with a crochet hook or a marker. Learning to repair one early is what keeps most people knitting.
Words you will meet
- Cast on
- Making the first row of loops on the needle.
- Bind off
- Finishing the last row so the stitches cannot unravel; also called cast off.
- Gauge
- How many stitches and rows fit in four inches. It decides the size of anything that has to fit.
- Garter stitch
- Knitting every row; a ridged, flat fabric that does not curl.
- Stockinette
- Knit one row, purl the next; smooth on one side, bumpy on the other, and curls at the edges.
- Ribbing
- Columns of knit and purl stitches, such as k2, p2; stretchy, used for cuffs and hat brims.
- Yarn over (yo)
- Wrapping the yarn around the needle to make a new stitch and a deliberate hole.
- k2tog, ssk
- Two ways to decrease by working two stitches as one; one leans right, the other left.
- Skein, hank, ball
- Ways yarn is sold: a skein can be knit from directly, a hank has to be wound into a ball first.
- Dye lot
- The batch number printed on the label; skeins from different lots can differ slightly in color.
- Blocking
- Wetting or steaming a finished piece and drying it to shape.
- Frogging
- Ripping out rows of knitting; tinking is undoing it stitch by stitch.
Questions people ask
Is knitting or crochet easier to learn?
Both start easily. Crochet has only one live loop, so a mistake cannot run down the work, and shapes are quick; knitting has a whole row of live stitches but makes thinner, drapier fabric. Many people learn both.
How long until I can knit a sweater?
There is no fixed timeline. A common route is a scarf, a hat and something with shaping first; a simple top-down sweater in worsted yarn is a realistic goal once knit, purl, increases and decreases feel easy.
Do I need wool, or is acrylic fine?
Acrylic and acrylic blends are cheap, machine washable and fine for learning. Wool is warmer, more elastic and easier to block. Avoid fuzzy, very dark or novelty yarns until you can see your stitches clearly.
Can left-handed people knit?
Yes. Knitting uses both hands, and many left-handed knitters use the same methods as everyone else; continental knitting, with the yarn in the left hand, suits some of them well.
What size needles should I start with?
For worsted-weight yarn, US 7 to 9 (4.5 to 5.5 mm), which is what most labels on that yarn suggest. Bigger needles and thicker yarn grow faster; very thin yarn is harder to learn on.
How do I fix a dropped stitch?
Catch it with a locking marker so it cannot run further, then work it back up the ladder of bars with a crochet hook, one bar per row.
Where to go next
- 01CrochetThe hook you used to rescue dropped stitches is a craft of its own. $35 to start
- 02Natural dyeingDyeing your own wool with plants for the next project. $65 to start
How it compares
| Knitting | Crochet | Embroidery | Natural dyeing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start cost | $35 | $35 | $42 | $65 |
| Each month | $15 | $15 | $8 | $12 |
| Space | A chair | A chair | A chair | A kitchen counter |
| Noise | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet |
| First result | A few evenings | 1 evening | A weekend | 1 weekend |
| Mess | Yarn tails | Yarn tails | Thread ends | Pots and splashes |
Where to learn more
- 01Craft Yarn Council - learn to knit and crochetThe US yarn industry's council: free beginner videos, the yarn weight and needle standards, and a list of certified teachers.
- 02The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) - coursesA US knitting nonprofit with correspondence courses reviewed by experienced instructors, and a learn-to-knit video series.
Sources: Victoria and Albert Museum, The history of hand knitting · Craft Yarn Council, Standard Yarn Weight System · Craft Yarn Council, knitting needle and crochet hook sizes · Wikipedia, Knitting · Wikipedia, Gauge (knitting)
Researched and written by the Fjords Team.