by Silva Payne

Created on: April 21, 2009   Last Updated: May 15, 2010

Knitting is a combination of just 2 basic stitches (knit and purl) that tie holes together in such a way that they form a fabric. The equipment needed to get started is equally basic: a pair of needles and some yarn. You may want to also have a tape measure and some scissors to hand as well, but they are not essential right at the start.

The easiest way to learn to knit is to have someone show you. You will find it best to ask an experienced knitter, as to show you effectively they will have to have their arms around you and be knitting pretty much over your shoulder! This is because most people need to learn to knit right handed or left handed (unless you are ambidextrous and can use either). If you watch someone by facing them, the knitting will be upside down and you will be seeing it in a mirror form. If you cannot find an experienced knitter to teach you, then next best way is to get a book from the library that has clear pictures to follow. These pictures will also be drawn from the perspective of the knitter looking at the knitting.

If both of those options are not available to you, then the following is a very basic step-by-step guide to starting and working on a square of knitting, with English terminology, and for right-handed knitters.

Casting on.

You will need 2 knitting needles that are the same size (UK size 4 is a good general choice), and not too long (12 inches is plenty). You are going to rename your hands and their associated needles "A" for the left and "B" for the right. You will also need some yarn; a small ball (approximately 50 grams) of either DK (double knit) or Aran weight. Tie a slip knot in the yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches and a loop that you can tighten by the knot. Put the loop over the needle in hand A and tighten it so that it fits snugly but moves easily up and down the needle.

Hold the B needle as you would a pencil, and catch the yarn in your B hand loosely. Put the point of needle B through the loop on needle A, starting closest to you so that you push the point outwards and upwards, and push it through to about 2 inches. Take the yarn and wrap it between needle A and B holding it firmly again in your B hand.

Gently slide needle B back towards you until the point is about to come back through the first loop. Continue, keeping the yarn taught, so that the needle drags the wrapped yarn back through the loop with it. Congratulations you've just made your first cast-on stitch! Now, pull the needle B so that it

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