Learn how to knit

The basics of casting on and off by Carol Chambers: extract from Knitting Magazine

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In order to start knitting all you need is a pair of needles and some yarn. The finest and the fattest needles are the hardest to handle for beginners so choose something in between. Many sources recommend DK (Double Knitting) yarn and size 4mm needles, but don't let this stop you experimenting, as it's likely that a lovely yarn will have induced you to learn to knit in the first place.

When you purchase the yarn ask the shop for advice about needle sizes to match or look at the ball band where you should find a needle size suggestion, but if you want to learn using a super chunky and 15mm needles then have a go; it's supposed to be fun!

Smooth yarns are easier for beginners and so are light colours, and both because the stitches are easier to see and stay separate on the needle. Fluffy yarns and those with 'bobbles' or 'slubs' are not recommended until you can recognise the different parts of a stitch without difficulty.

Getting started
As you look at knitting books and patterns you will find that there are many different ways of doing the same thing. There is no right or wrong way, find out what you like and then stick to this.

Some methods may be better suited to a particular yarn or pattern but don't be overwhelmed by the choices. For right-handed knitters, the needle that makes new stitches is held in the right hand whilst the needle which holds the finished stitches is held in the left.

If you are left-handed, look at the illustrations reflected in a mirror and copy the adjusted images or have a go at the right-handed method, you may find it works for you anyway.

Garter stitch
Two or more rows of knit stitches are called garter stitch - a good stitch for edges as it doesn't curl. This is also a perfect stitch pattern for scarves, a great beginner's project and you can never have too many.

Slip Knotslip knot
To cast on you start with a slip knot. This serves as your first stitch. When made correctly it is easy to adjust its size. Pull on the loop and it gets bigger, pull on the tail to tighten. If your knot does not do this, follow the route of the yarn as shown in the diagram carefully when making it again. Now you have one stitch on your left-hand needle and are ready to make another.

Easy cast-oneasy cast-on

  1. Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch loop and lay the yarn across.To control the yarn hold it as shown, over the forefinger, under the middle finger, over the last finger and then loop it around the little finger. This is something that needs a little perseverance, but helps feed the yarn and therefore gives an even tension. This will help you to knit more quickly later on.


    2. easy cast-on

  2. Pull a new loop through the first loop and then slide it onto the left-hand needle.


  3. You now have two stitches on the left-hand needle.easy cast-on All the rest of the stitches are made the same way. So carry on until you feel comfortable. Don't worry if your stitches are slightly different sizes, even tension comes with a little practice. So if a pattern tells you to cast on 30 sts (stitches) you will make your slip knot (counting as stitch 1) and then make a series of 29 new stitches making 30 in all.

Casting offcasting off

  1. To cast off, knit the first two stitches so that they are now both on the right-hand needle. Put the tip of the left-hand needle into the first stitch you knitted.

    casting off

  2. Lift it over the top of the second stitch you knitted and let it come off the tip of the needle. It will now be around the neck of your second knitted stitch. Knit the next stitch and repeat.

You will always lift the stitch farthest away from the tip of the right-hand needle over the last stitch that you knitted. Repeat all the way along the row until one stitch remains. Break off the yarn and pull the stitch loop until the end comes through, fastening off the last stitch securely.

Too tight or too close?
Knitters work at their own tensions, knitting tighter or looser depending on their style. This is something that is independent of experience. To remedy this, when you knit from a pattern and the tension is stated (as it almost always is) choose a needle size up or down from the size suggested in the pattern to achieve the correct tension; larger needles make looser stitches. However at this stage be kind to yourself and consider getting from one end of the row to the other a great achievement.

Words of wisdom
The easiest mistake for beginners to make is to give up before they have really got a knitting rhythm. This comes with practice and once you have it, it's yours forever. The most common mistake is casting on too tightly, which makes it really difficult to add new stitches or make the next row!