Knitting for beginners
Have you always wanted to learn how to knit but have never known where to start?
This guide – knitting for beginners includes everything you need to start knitting.
Whether you are an amateur knitter or starting again after a break from your needles.
The information here covers all of the steps to teach yourself to knit, including how to start knitting, knitting basics and essential skills, plus some easy to follow knitting patterns.
Getting Started
Starting by brushing up on some knitting basics is the best way to learn to knit.
I recommend familiarising yourself with different knitting tools and the various types of yarns available.
Plus, some basic knitting abbreviations so that you can start learning how to read knitting patterns.
To begin, ensure you have all of the essential knitting tools for beginners to hand, including a good set of knitting needles and yarn.
If you’re starting from scratch, I suggest trying a chunky yarn and a large pair of needles (8mm or more), as this will be easier, to begin with.
It’s also good to familiarise yourself with the different types of yarn weights, and what they can be used to make.
I recommend making a trip to a craft or yarn shop and exploring all of the different types of wools and yarns available – it may even inspire you!
Learn To Knit
Before you try to tackle different types of knitting stitches, you will need to know how to start your knitting by understanding how to create a slip knot, how to cast on, and how to cast off.
Once you’ve set yourself up and you feel like you’re ready to start knitting, you can try some basic knitting stitches to create your first project.
Understanding how to knit the garter stitch, how to knit the purl stitch and how to knit the stockinette stitch will give you the essential knowledge to complete simple knitting patterns.
After you’ve mastered knit and purl, you can move on to some other simple knitting stitches for beginners, such as the rib stitch or seed stitch.
Give yourself time to trial the different stitches and sample them before you move on to making a full design.
You can also learn how to pick up stitches and how to increase or decrease stitches, for when you move onto slightly more advanced patterns that will require finishing or a small amount of shaping.
After you’ve learnt some essential stitches, you can move onto working in the round and using circular knitting needles.
It’s not as scary as you might think!
This means knitting in a loop and will allow you to make circular-knit items, such as hats, beanies and infinity scarves.
You can try this simple hat beginner knitting pattern, which is an excellent design for a first project using circular needles.
When you become more advanced you can learn how to read a knitting chart, which will introduce you to using more than one colour or knitting cable designs.
Choosing a Knitting Pattern
The best place to start when learning how to knit is to try simple knitting patterns for beginners, which include more basic stitches and no requirements for grading.
You can start with patterns for beginners and learn about the different types of knitting skill levels.
You can also learn how to substitute yarn in a knitting pattern, as the pattern you choose may not have yarn that you can easily buy.
Knowing how to substitute this will make your knitting life easier!
I’ve listed below some of my favourite designs for simple yet beautiful scarves and blankets; quick and easy to make and perfectly designed to teach how to knit for beginners.
Click here for more Knitting patterns for beginners.
Knitting Patterns For Beginners
Choose a beginner friendly knitting pattern from this list for one of your first projects.
Fingerless Mittens Pattern
Using knit and purl stitches, you will create an interesting design, knit flat on straight needles, then seamed to make the mitts, leaving a space for your thumb.
Outlander Claire Gloves
This Outlander Claire gloves pattern will allow you to practice knitting a simple rib stitch and the finished mitts will look great made with any yarn in any colour.
Easy Infinity Scarf Pattern | The Khione
This easy infinity scarf pattern is a quick and easy ribbed scarf to make, which makes it perfect for beginners.
The scarf is knitted using ribbing and will keep you warm during the colder months, as it is made with super bulky yarn.
Scarf Knitting Pattern
This scarf knitting pattern is easy for beginners and can be adapted to fit both an adult and a child.
Baby Blanket Pattern
This cotton baby blanket pattern is really easy for any beginner knitters, this pattern uses basic techniques including; knit and purl stitches.
Nathalie Leveille says
HEllo
I’m looking for the pattern on how to knit the shawl that Claire is always wearing and attaching in her back. Grey color with a black line in it. I don’t know if you have it free. If so, would it be possible to send it to me ?
thanking you in advance
Nathalie
handylittleme says
Hello, I have a pattern for that coming very soon for free! As well as other shawls similar to those that Claire wears in the show. They will get published this month 🙂 You can find Handy Little Me on Facebook or Instagram for updates. Thanks for visiting!