Begin your knitting journey with a simple, beautiful stitch.
Knitting can be dated back to the 11th century in Egypt, to a pair of socks, according to Wikipedia. They had complex colourwork and a very fine gauge.
There are so many different techniques for knitting, that create so many different end results. In this post, we’re going to talk about the basics, yarn weight, needle size, and gauge. Then, we’ll discuss a simple knitted cast on (putting stitches on your needle). Finally, I’ll explain how to knit and purl, the 2 basic knitting stitches to get you started knitting.
First let’s talk about needles and yarn weight. There’s generally 2 easy ways to choose the best needles for your project, the pattern or the yarn ball you choose will suggest a needle size. As you can see in the image below, its showing a bunch of information. The bottom row shows washing instructions for your finished item.
The top row, on the left is showing your yarn weight or thickness. The right image shows a suggested hook size for crochet and finally the center one is showing knitting information. Inside the square it shows your suggested needle size, and outside the square is showing gauge. Gauge measurements are shown as a 4″x 4″ swatch, or 10cm x 10cm.
Along the bottom of the square its showing the number of stitches needed, and along the right side, the number of rows needed. This is good information, but it depends on how tight or loose you knit, how close to this will actually be the case for you. If you knit tighter, changing to a larger needle size will help, or if you’re a looser knitter, you may be too big, so decreasing your needle size may help. This also may change as you get the hang of it.
Measuring Gauge
Gauge can be important to determine how a garment will fit, or how many stitches you require for a specific size. It works when creating from a written pattern with repeats, like for a blanket. For example, if you want to have a blanket 36″ wide, and your pattern repeats every 6″, with the specified needle size, then you multiply the number of stitches in 1 repeat by 6, to determine how many stitches to cast on. Gauge can also determine when you’re making items of different sizes, like a hat. As my kids grow, I will measure their heads, and figure out how many stitches to cast on, to make sure it fits.
“For some patterns the gauge isn’t terribly important, for certain knitted articles of clothing, getting the correct gauge is the key to getting a good fit and a nice looking garment. If you’re a beginner knitter, knowing your gauge isn’t crucial all of the time because the projects you are probably starting out with aren’t very dependent on having the proper gauge.” -All Free Knitting
To measure gauge for a needle, or project, I like to start by using the patterns suggested needle size, and yarn weight. To choose a yarn weight, look at the label of your yarn, look for the below section that shows washing instructions, and yarn weight (thickness). See above for an example of a yarn label.
The yarn label shows your expected gauge, but I like to use my pattern and make up a small swatch for a couple of reasons. First, to determine the gauge, if it’s important.
Second, to make sure I actually know what the pattern should look like, once the pattern gets going. Some patterns are intricate and require a lot of attention to do them well, and others may be new so making a swatch shows me what its supposed to look like without making the whole project.
Once I’ve made a small swatch, I will measure the number of stitches and rows to make a 4″ x 4″ (10x10cm). If it’s the same or close to the requirement for the pattern, then you’re all set. But if you have too many stitches or too many rows, you need to increase your needle size, to match the pattern’s gauge. If you have too few stitches and too few rows, your needles are too big. Decrease your needle size and re-check.
Needle Size
For beginner knitting, choosing a simple project like a scarf, or basic blanket is a good place to start. If you’re not sure of your needle size, you can use a knit check like this one. When you’re looking at a set of needles, there should be numbers on the end of the needles (single pointed). Choose a set that is recommended for the yarn you’re using. Many patterns will include both the metric and imperial sizing.
Yarn Choice:
For beginner knitters, a thicker yarn has a lot of benefits.
For example,
- It’s easier to work with. You’ll be able to hold onto everything a little better if its bigger.
- Your work will take shape faster. For example, the less stitches and rows means the faster you’ll be finished and get to enjoy your item.
- There is something beautiful about a nice chunky knit stitch.
The Knitted Cast On (adding stitches to your needle)
First, start with a slip knot. To do this wrap your yarn around your index and middle fingers, crossing over bringing the yarn to the back of your fingers, then push the section you’re holding under the first wrap and slip it off, and gently pull the loop to tighten.
Now, slip that loop onto your knitting needle. Hold that needle in your left hand and hold onto the tail from the slip knot, so your yarn can’t twist as you’re working. insert the second needle into the loop as well, from left to right and front to back (between the legs of the slip knot)
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Now, take your long yarn from the ball, and wrap it around the back of the right needle, to the front. Make sure it catches in the space between the 2 needles.
At this point, I will put my left index finger on top of the right needle, and bring it down and forward to bring the loop forward to the front. You should have have 1 loop on each needle.
Twist the loop on the right so you can catch it with the left needle from the front, and then put the loop from the right needle onto the left needle. There should now be 2 stitches on the left needle. If this is at all unclear, or hard to see in the pictures below, Watch this video:
The Knit Stitch
When you have the your desired amount of stitches on your left needle, you’re ready to begin the first row.
Begin by inserting your right needle into the first loop from the front, between the 2 legs of the stitch.
Wrap your yarn around from back to front, on the right needle.
I like to put my left index finger on top of the right needle, and bring my right needle back through, keeping the yarn around the right needle.
Loop the first stitch off the left needle. Now you should have 1 stitch on the right needle, and 1 less on the left. Now continue knitting across, moving all the stitches from the left needle to the right. When you finish that row, turn your work around and go back the other way. This is called Garter Style stitching.
The Purl Stitch
Purl stitches create dimension to your knitting projects. They can help you make vertical stripes, pop your cables, create ribbing, or just make a pretty pattern with your stitches.
When you’re ready to do a purl stitch, start by bringing your yarn to the front, between your needles, then insert your needle from right to left, forward, between the legs of the stitch you’re working into.
Wrap your yarn around, the same as for the knit stitch, around the back of the right needle, to the front. Bring your right needle back through, with your yarn, and loop the stitch off the left needle. Now, in the case of the hat pic above, I used an alternating knit 2, purl 2, around to create the ribbing on the hat. If you don’t create a ribbing, you get a rolled edge, which is also cute.
These images are of hats I’ve made in the past. Most of the patterns are free online, the multicoloured stripe is mine and is available in our shop.
What are you making? Show me your ideas, by tagging us @purple.rose.crafts & #purplerosecrafts on Instagram. Want to see some of my ideas? Follow me on Pinterest.
Much Love,
