Learning how to knit might seem like a daunting task, reserved only for crazy, nimble-fingered grannies but fear not: this short guide is sure to have you working the needles like a pro in no time. Because some people might find it helpful to see the various techniques described here, I am including a link to this helpful how-to video from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uw-nUvGrBY.
Materials :
Of the three types of knitting needles (Straight, double-pointed and circular), straight needles are best for beginners to learn with. You should start with two straight needles sized 10 US (6)mm and one skein of worsted weight yarn in your favorite color. A small crochet hook is also optional.
FYI
Before deciding what kind of project you want to make, you should consider these helpful tips. Most knitters work with two basic stitches (knitting and purling) and knitted pieces remain rectangular until the number of stitches on the needle is increased or decreased. Always keep the yarn attached to the skein unless finished with a project or switching colors. If you accidentally break the yarn thread from the skein ( or if switching colors) you can easily tie the yarn thread back to the skein with a knot, just be sure to leave long ends which can be hidden later. Knitting is usually worked in a pattern of one knitted row- which is the right side of the piece- and one purled row- which is the wrong side (the unfinished side) of the piece. Beginners like to knit every row, but some prefer the more finished look of the knit-purl pattern. It's your project so do what looks best to you. Most beginners start with rectangular projects like scarves or wash clothes but once you master the steps, you can make anything your imagination can dream up.
Time to Knit: Casting on Stitches
The first stitch you will make is called a slip knot. Take your thumb and index finger and make a pincher shape with your fingers. Loop your yarn around these fingers so that the ends cross and "pinch" the long end of the yarn with your fingers, drawing the free end through the loop. You should now have a little loop that will be come smaller as you pull the thread. Go ahead and put this loop on the needle in your left hand. (To see how to make a slip knot check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvST5H-zxyg).
To cast on the remainder of your stitches, hold the needle with the slip knot on it in your left hand and grab strand of yarn with your right hand. Point your index finger like you're going to poke someone, and wrap the yarn around your finger. Now take the needle and put it through the yarn on your finger. Another loop has now been added to the needle in your left hand. Repeat this process for as many stitches as you want to cast on for your project. The more stitches you cast on, the wider your project will be. For a scarf, I recommend casting on 20-50 stitches. The thicker your yarn and needles are, the bigger your project will be. So knitters using large yarn or needles should take this into consideration when deciding how many stitches to cast on.
Knitting
Now for the moment we've all been waiting for, it's time to knit. Take your other needle and put it in your right hand. Put the right-handed needle into the first loop from your left-needle. Take the yarn and wrap it around so it rests between the stitches, then move the right-handed needle under the left-handed needle's loop and slip it onto the right-handed needle. Repeat this process until all the stitches from the left-handed needle have been knitted over onto the right-handed needle. Voila! It really is just that easy. When the needle in your left hand is completely emptied of stitches, switch the needles so that the empty one is in your right hand and the one with all the stitches is in the left hand. Continue repeating this process until your project is as long as you want it to be.
Purling
Adding a purled row after every knitted row is an ideal way to achieve that finished, professional look. Take your empty right-handed needle and insert it upside down into the first loop from the left-handed needle.You should go in through the side of the loop rather than going in through the bottom, as in the knitted row. Now wrap the yarn around the tip of the right-handed needle, slide the right-handed needle behind the left handed needle and slip the stitch onto the right-handed needle. Repeat this process until all the stitches have been purled onto the right-handed needle. Remember to watch the videos if your are unclear about these stitches.
Binding-off
So your project is long and luxurious and you're ready to call it quits. To bind off the stitches so they don't unravel knit two stitches onto your right needle, then slip the first stitch over the second one so that there is only one stitch left on the needle. Knit another stitch onto the right needle and again slip the first stitch over the second one. Repeat this process until all the stitches have been bound off. Now, once all the stitches have been bound off and there is only one pesky stitch left on the right needle, cut the thread of yarn leaving a long tail and draw the yarn thread through the loop, pulling tight to make a knot.
Tying Up Loose Ends
Now your piece is finished but does it looks scraggly with all those threads hanging out? This is where the optional crochet hook comes in handy. I always turn the piece over so the wrong side or the purled side is showing. If you knitted every row, then just pick your favorite side of the piece and flip it over so the not-favorite side is showing. Take your crochet hook and insert it into one of the stitches of your piece. Take the yarn and draw it through this loop with your hook. Repeat until all the loose threads are hidden away. Flip it over and enjoy your new project.
Overall, knitters enjoy the excitement of creating unique items for their own enjoyment. Now that you've mastered the basics, nothing can keep you creating hats, sweater, socks, clothes or even lingerie. Go forth and knit freely!