You want to learn to knit and you are a real beginner? No problem! We'll show you the basics you need to knit with easy step-by-step instructions.
All beginnings are difficult. But with embroidery, you'll get over it quickly. Knitting is much easier than you think. It's also fun, relaxing and can quickly become an addiction.
And what is nicer than wearing a scarf or sweater of which you can say: "I knitted that myself!"
So get out the wool and needles, get cozy on the sofa with a thick blanket and a cup of tea and start your first knitting attempts.
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What materials you need for knitting
Before you start knitting, you first need the right material. So: wool and needles.
For starters, two knitting needles are enough. The size of the needles depends on the wool. On each wool is what needle size you need. So you can not make anything wrong.
We recommend that you learn to knit with a thicker wool and thicker needles. They are easy to hold in your hands and if you make a mistake, you will see it immediately.
In addition, you will need a sewing needle and a small pair of scissors.
Once you have procured your material and laid it out, you're ready to go.
Tip: I started with the knitting set for Needle It. The thicker wool and accompanying knitting needles are perfect for beginners.
Learn to knit: step by step instructions
You are a complete beginner, want to learn knitting but don't know how to start?
We will show you the correct hand position, the beginning of knitting, as well as the right and left stitches, the edge stitches and the casting off stitches.
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Cast on stitches
There are many different ways to cast on stitches. I'll show you the most beginner-friendly variant, which creates the bottom edge.
For the so-called cross stitch, the thread is first taken twice. The end of the thread that leads to the ball of wool is called the working thread, the other is called the end thread.
There is a rule of thumb for the length of the yarn: three centimeters of end yarn are for one centimeter of knitting. So for a 15 centimeter wide knitted piece, you need 45 centimeters of end thread. In general, however, it is better if the end yarn is a little too long than too short. You can simply cut off an unnecessary end thread if necessary.
Step 1:
- Lay the thread coming from the ball of wool, first from the little finger over the back of your hand.
- Guide it past the index finger and thread it clockwise once around the thumb.
- Finally, place it between your index and middle fingers.
You have done everything right when the thread has formed a cross between your thumb and index finger.
Step 2:
- Grasp both needles with your right hand.
- Insert the needles through the lower loop from the right side of the thumb.
- Grab the thread to the left of the index finger with the needle above.
- Feed it through the loop with the knitting needles.
- Tighten the knot and repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on the needles.
Step 3:
- When you have cast on all the stitches, carefully pull one of the needles out of the stitch chain.
- Now you can start knitting the first row.
For those who find it easier with a video, here's a tutorial on Youtube.
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Learn to knit right stitches
For each knitted piece right and purl stitches form the basis. All patterns are based on these two basic knitting stitches. Once you master these stitches, the world of knitting patterns is open to you.
To knit right stitches, proceed as follows:
- Place the working thread behind the left needle.
- With the right needle, stitch into the stitch from the left.
- Guide the working thread around the needle from below and pull it through the stitch.
- You can now drop the knitted-on stitch. The newly knitted stitch remains on the right needle.
- Now the right stitch is knitted. It is best to knit a few rows of right stitches right away for practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0mrL_70WV8
Knit left stitches
When learning to knit, purl stitches are also a basic requirement. And this is how they are knitted:
- Put the thread in front of the left needle.
- With the right needle, stitch into the stitch from the right side.
- Pass the working thread around the needle from the top and pull it through the stitch.
- Drop the knitted stitch. The new one remains on the right needle again.
- Again, knit a few rows for practice.
What is explained as a single step already blad merges into a few motion sequences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGgUnCEJshU
Learn to knit border stitches
There are also many options for the edge stitches - the first and last stitches on the needle. Here you will learn how to knit the chain edge. This is often used for scarves, potholders and knitted pieces where the edges can be seen open.
This is how the chain edge works:
- When the first stitch on the needle, the thread is in front of it.
- With the right needle, stitch from the right into the first stitch on the left needle.
- Lift the stitch onto the right needle without pulling the working thread through.
- When the last stitch on the needle, the stitch is knitted right.
With this variation, you get a pretty edge that resembles chain links.
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Cast off stitches
When the desired height of the knitted piece is reached, you need to cast off the stitches. This is how it works best:
- Pick up the edge stitch. Knit the second stitch with a right stitch right and with a left stitch left.
- Now there are two stitches on the right needle.
- Draw the edge stitch over the second needle by stitching into the edge stitch from the left with the left needle and drawing over the second stitch.
- There is now only one stitch on the right needle.
- Knit the next stitch.
- Now there are two stitches on the right needle again.
- Pull the first stitch back over the second, straight knit stitch.
- One stitch remains on the right needle again.
- Now cut your thread a little and pull the last end through the stitch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qukIKRbHTBQ
Once these steps are done, you can sew the beginning and the end thread with a sewing needle and your first knitted piece is ready.
4 helpful tips for learning to knit
All beginnings are difficult and although knitting is fun, especially as a beginner you can easily lose patience. So that this does not happen, we have a few tips for you.
1. use the appropriate wool and needles
Wool comes in beautiful bright, muted colors or with gradient. But much more important than the color, is the right material. Depending on the knitted piece, the wool should have certain properties.
- Merino wool is breathable, dries quickly and is particularly suitable for scarves, hats, arm warmers and children's clothing.
- Alpaca wool Is soft, durable, moisture repellent and keeps warm. Perfect for winter wear.
- Mohair wool is very fine and soft and is suitable for scarves, socks, sweaters and coats.
- Cashmere wool is very fine and warming. The wool is suitable for sweaters and hats.
- Chenille is soft and velvety. However, not very durable. Therefore, you should rather use it for hats and scarves.
- Linen yarn is breathable and soft. With it succeed especially light pieces for warmer months.
- Hemp yarn is much more robust and fits very well for bags.
After you know the characteristics of the different types of wool and have chosen one, you should pay attention to the thickness of the wool.
After all, for learning to knit is best suited sturdy and thick wool.
Depending on the wool you also need the appropriate knitting needles. On the label of the wool is indicated which strength of the needle fits best.
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3. never do without the stitch test
Yes, the stitch test is not really fun. But it's also no use if you start with a sweater as a beginner and after a long time of work it doesn't have the right fit in the end.
To begin, practice the different types of stitches and knit just one patch of fabric. When the stitches really sit and there are no more mistakes, you can start with something easier like a scarf.
4. knit not too tight and not too loose
In the beginning, you tend to cramp your fingers a lot. This makes the stitches very tight and small. This makes knitting even more difficult.
However, you should not leave the working thread too loose. Otherwise the stitches will be very large and there will be real holes.
Try to find the middle ground!
Our conclusion
With the step-by-step instructions, learning to knit is really not difficult. Once you get the hang of it, you can try out different knitting patterns and soon enjoy your own socks, hats and scarves.
Good luck and have fun!
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