Where to Start if You’ve Never Knit Before
Wondering where to start if you’ve never knitted before? You’re in the right place! Visit my Knitting Tutorial page to follow along from the very first stitch.
If you’ve ever stared at a pair of knitting needles and thought, “Where do I even begin?” — this is for you. Learning to knit doesn’t have to be intimidating. Once you get the hang of a few basic techniques, you’ll be amazed at what your hands can create!
Let’s walk through where to start if you’ve never knitted before and build your foundation step by step. By the end, you’ll know which tutorials to start with, which stitches to learn next, and which yarns make everything a little easier (and more fun).
What’s the very first step in knitting?
Start with learning how to cast on — it’s the foundation of every knitted project.
My How to Cast On tutorial breaks this down for absolute beginners. You’ll learn how to get your stitches on the needle in a way that feels natural and not awkward. I remember my first cast-on attempt — the loops were twisted, too tight, and my yarn looked like a tangled mess. But once I switched to a smooth, beginner-friendly yarn like KnitPicks Heatherly (affiliate link), everything clicked.
If you can cast on, you can start knitting. It’s the first real “I can do this” moment!
How do you actually make a stitch?
Learn the knit stitch — the heart of all knitting.
The How to Do the Knit Stitch tutorial walks you through the simple motion that forms rows of neat, squishy fabric. I always recommend practicing this one skill for a few rows every day until your hands remember it.
Pair it with soft, forgiving yarns like Cascade 220 (affiliate link) to help you see each stitch clearly. And trust me, once you get into a rhythm, it’s hard to stop.
What comes after the knit stitch?
The purl stitch — the second half of the knitting world!
Check out my How to Do the Purl Stitch tutorial. If the knit stitch feels like pushing yarn away, the purl stitch is like bringing it toward you. I like to think of them as dance partners — they move in opposite directions but create something beautiful together.
Switching between knit and purl stitches gives you endless texture options later on — from ribbing to seed stitch to garter ridges.
How do you add new yarn without a knot?
You’ll want to learn How to Join Yarn Invisibly.
This technique saves you from bulky knots and messy transitions. When I was new, I’d just tie a knot and hope no one noticed — but once I learned to join yarn invisibly, my projects instantly looked more professional.
It’s a small step that makes a huge difference and works beautifully with beginner-friendly yarns like Premier Yarns Bamboo Chunky (affiliate link).
What’s the easiest way to increase stitches?
Try the Knit Front and Back (KFB) method.
This one adds a new stitch right into the old one — super simple and great for patterns like hats or top-down sweaters. It’s often one of the first increases you’ll see in patterns, and it gives a neat little bar texture that’s easy to spot.
What’s the difference between M1R and M1L?
These two increases — Make One Right (M1R) and Make One Left (M1L) — are a little more invisible.
If you’ve ever seen perfectly shaped raglan lines on sweaters, this is how they’re made. I love using KnitPicks Heatherly (affiliate link) when practicing these because it’s stretchy and shows definition clearly. The trick is picking up the bar between stitches in the right direction, and after a few tries, your hands will know exactly what to do.
What’s a yarn over and why does it look so pretty?
A Yarn Over (YO) is how you create intentional holes — for lace or eyelets.
My first time doing a yarn over, I thought I’d made a mistake because of the gap. But nope — that little hole is supposed to be there! YOs are what make lace patterns light and airy. If you’ve ever seen my Points of Solace Shawl pattern, that dreamy openwork comes from this simple trick.
How do you decrease stitches neatly?
Start with Knit Two Together (K2TOG).
It’s the easiest way to make your project narrower or shape a hat crown. Just knit two stitches as if they were one. You’ll also want to learn Slip Slip Knit (SSK) — it leans the opposite way for symmetrical shaping.
I always remember K2TOG = right-leaning and SSK = left-leaning. Together, they make your decreases look tidy and professional.
How about purl decreases?
Meet Purl Two Together (P2TOG) and Slip Slip Purl (SSP).
You’ll use these when shaping from the purl side. They’re basically the reverse of K2TOG and SSK, and super handy once you start working on textured or reversible projects. Don’t be intimidated — if you can purl, you can do these.
What if I want to learn cables?
Cables are where things get exciting!
Start with my tutorials for How to Cable Front and How to Cable Back. The difference is simply which way you hold the stitches before knitting them.
Cables look impressive but are surprisingly easy once you’ve tried them. You’ll just need a cable needle and a little patience. Cascade 220 (affiliate link) is perfect for practicing because the stitches hold their shape beautifully.
How do you pass stitches over?
The Pass Slipped Stitch Over (PSSO) technique is another way to decrease.
It’s elegant and easy to memorize — slip one stitch, knit the next, then pass the slipped stitch over. I love this one because it creates such a clean diagonal line. You’ll see it in lace, decorative decreases, and sometimes even cables.
How do you finish a project?
That’s where binding off comes in.
You’ll want to learn both How to Bind Off Knitwise and How to Bind Off Purlwise. Each gives a slightly different edge depending on your final row. Binding off can feel bittersweet — it means your project is done! But it’s also one of the most satisfying parts of knitting.
How do you sew knitted pieces together?
My How to Sew Seams in Knitting tutorial covers the mattress stitch — the secret to seamless joins.
You’ll love this one if you plan to make sweaters or cardigans. It’s magic watching two separate pieces become one. I use Premier Yarns Bamboo Chunky (affiliate link) for tutorials like this because it glides beautifully under the needle without splitting.
What yarn should beginners start with?
When figuring out where to start if you’ve never knitted before, the right yarn makes all the difference.
Here are my top three beginner-friendly options:
- KnitPicks Heatherly (affiliate link): smooth, bouncy, and soft on the hands. Perfect for learning basic stitches.
- Cascade 220 (affiliate link): holds structure well and makes it easy to see each stitch clearly.
- Premier Yarns Bamboo Chunky (affiliate link): silky, fast to knit with, and forgiving when you need to rip back.
What order should you learn these tutorials in?
If you’re brand new, here’s the order I recommend:
- Cast On – start every project here.
- Knit Stitch – your foundation.
- Purl Stitch – expands your stitch patterns.
- KFB – learn basic increases.
- K2TOG and SSK – learn basic decreases.
- M1R and M1L – invisible increases for shaping.
- YO and PSSO – lace and decorative work.
- Cable Front and Cable Back – try your first cables!
- Bind Off Knitwise/Purlwise – finish your work neatly.
- Sew Seams – make it all come together.
By the time you’ve worked through this list, you’ll be ready to tackle your first real pattern — and you’ll actually understand every term in the instructions.
My favorite beginner practice projects
After learning the basics, you can test your skills with something small like:
- A simple scarf using just knit stitches
- A washcloth that combines knit and purl stitches
- A headband that lets you practice increases and decreases
- Or one of my free patterns from the Free Knitting Pattern Page!
Each project helps you apply what you’ve learned in a low-pressure, fun way.
FAQ: Where to Start If You’ve Never Knitted Before
What size needles should I start with?
I recommend size 8 (5mm) — big enough to see your stitches clearly but not so big it feels awkward.
What yarn weight is best for beginners?
Worsted-weight yarns are perfect. They’re easy to see and handle, and you’ll find tons of free patterns that use them.
Do I need fancy tools to start knitting?
Not at all! A good pair of bamboo circular needles and one ball of KnitPicks Heatherly (affiliate link) will take you far.
Why does my first row look weird?
That’s completely normal — the first row always looks a little loopy. It evens out after a few rows.
Can I really learn to knit from tutorials?
Absolutely. Thousands of knitters (myself included!) started with online tutorials. With patience and practice, you’ll get it.
Final thoughts
If you’ve been wondering where to start if you’ve never knitted before, now you know exactly how to begin — with one stitch, one tutorial, and a little patience. Knitting is more than a craft; it’s a rhythm, a routine, and a way to slow down.
Ready for your next step? Head over to my Knitting Tutorial page to dive into your first tutorials — and before you know it, you’ll be knitting real projects.
What’s the first stitch you’re learning today? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to cheer you on!
This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my free patterns and tutorials!
The post Where to Start if You’ve Never Knit Before appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.
Comments
Post a Comment