by Annalou Mack

Created on: July 18, 2008   Last Updated: January 15, 2012

There are only two supplies that you need to learn to knit, yarn and knitting needles. There are three basic types of knitting needles, straight single pointed, double pointed and circular. Knitting needles are numbered and the larger the number the larger the needles. Generally the larger needles are used with heavier yarn and the smaller ones with lighter weight yarn. For beginners I would recommend a pair of size 8 straight needles to practice with. Any yarn can be used for practice but a 4-ply worsted weight, is easier for the beginner.

Knitting has only two basic stitches, the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Many knitted articles can be made with these two stitches alone. After you master those stitches there are all kinds of patterns that can be made using a combination of those basic stitches. There are several knitting methods but in this piece I will explain the two most commonly used methods, the right-handed or English method and the left handed or Continental method.

Any knitted piece starts with casting-on stitches. There are several ways to cast on but I use the double cast-on method which uses a double length of yarn and one needle. Allowing one inch per stitch, measure a length of yarn from the ball and make a slip knot at that point. Wrap the short end of yarn over the left thumb and keep the yarn from the ball in the right hand. Slip the needle up through the loop on the thumb then throw the yarn in the right hand around the needle and pull it through. Release the thumb loop and tighten the loop on the needle by drawing the short yarn forward. Repeat this until the desired number of stitches are on the needle. This method gives a firm, yet elastic edge and is suitable for most any pattern. It is especially recommended for beginners.

• Right-handed method of knitting

In the right-handed approach, the yarn is drawn around the needle with the right index finger. The tension or control of the yarn is maintained by weaving the yarn under the middle finger, over the third and under the little finger. There are other ways to wrap but the main thing is to feel comfortable with what you choose.

The first stitch to learn is the knit stitch. Take the needle with the cast-on stitches in the left hand. With the yarn behind the work, insert the right needle into the front of the first stitch on the left needle from left to right; the needle tip points toward the back. With the right index finger, bring the yarn under and over the point of the

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