Learn to Knit in Just One Week: A Step-by-Step Guide

Daisie Team -

Contents

  1. Gather your materials
  2. How to hold the knitting needles
  3. How to cast on
  4. How to do the knit stitch
  5. How to do the purl stitch
  6. How to bind off
  7. How to read a knitting pattern

So, you've decided to dip your toes into the world of knitting. Maybe you've been inspired by the cozy scarves your friend whips up or perhaps the idea of creating something from scratch is appealing. Whatever the reason, you're here, and you're ready to learn. Good news: you've come to the right place. This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to learn knitting in a week. Yes, you heard right. In just seven days, you'll be able to create your own knitted masterpiece. Let's get started!

Gather your materials

Before we dive into the knitting process itself, let's talk about what you'll need. Knitting is a hobby that requires very few items — but those few are important. Here's a simple checklist for you:

  • Knitting needles: These are your main tools. For beginners, a pair of size 8 to 10 knitting needles is a good start. They’re easy to handle and suitable for a variety of projects.
  • Yarn: Pick a medium-weight yarn as it's easier to work with. Go for a solid color so you can see your stitches better.
  • Scissors: For cutting your yarn. Any household pair will do!
  • Tapestry needle: This is for weaving in ends when you're done knitting. It has a larger eye than a regular sewing needle, making it easier to thread yarn through.

With these items in your knitting kit, you're ready to embark on your week-long journey of learning to knit. Remember, as you progress, you might find other tools and materials that work better for you. Knitting is all about personal preference, so don't be afraid to mix things up as you gain more confidence. Next, we'll move on to how to hold the knitting needles — a key step in learning how to knit in a week.

How to hold the knitting needles

Some people might think knitting is all about the needles and yarn, but the truth is, a large part of successful knitting is about how you hold those needles. Let's break down this important skill, a big part of your journey in learning how to knit in a week.

There are two main methods to hold your knitting needles: the English method and the Continental method. Don't worry, you won't need a passport for either. They're just different ways to hold your tools.

  • English Method: Also known as "throwing," this method involves holding the needle with the stitches in your right hand and "throwing" the yarn around the other needle. It's a great method for beginners because it allows for more control.
  • Continental Method: Sometimes referred to as "picking," this method involves holding the needle with the stitches in your left hand and "picking" the yarn with the right needle. It's slightly more complex, but can be faster once you get the hang of it.

Try both methods and see which one feels more comfortable for you. Remember, there's no right or wrong way — it's all about what works best for you. Now that you know how to hold your needles, we're ready to dive into the actual knitting part. Stay tuned for our next step: casting on. This is where your journey in learning how to knit in a week really begins to take shape.

How to cast on

Before you start knitting up a storm, the first step is to "cast on" — that's code in the knitting world for getting your first row of stitches onto the needle. Ready to learn this key part of how to knit in a week? Let's get started.

There are many ways to cast on, but we'll focus on the most common method for beginners: the long-tail cast-on. It creates a smooth, stretchy edge that's perfect for most knitting projects.

  1. Make a slipknot: Start by creating a loop about 30 inches from the end of your yarn. Hold the loop, insert your fingers and pull it through to create a slipknot. Then, slide this slipknot onto one of your needles.
  2. Create a "slingshot": Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand, use your left hand to separate the two strands of yarn. It should look like a slingshot.
  3. Insert the needle: With your right hand, move the needle under the strand of yarn on your thumb, over the strand on your finger, and then back through the loop on your thumb.
  4. Slide the loop: Let the loop on your thumb slide off and pull the loose ends of the yarn to tighten the new stitch on the needle. Congratulations, you've cast on a stitch!

Repeat these steps until you have the number of stitches you need for your project. And just like that, you've mastered one of the key steps in learning how to knit in a week!

How to do the knit stitch

Now that you've cast on your stitches, it's time to dive into the actual knitting. The knit stitch is the most basic and commonly used stitch in knitting. So, let's unravel the mystery of the knit stitch, an essential part of learning how to knit in a week.

  1. Holding your needles correctly: You'll start with the needle that has the cast-on stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand. Ready to feel like a knitting pro?
  2. Insert the right needle: Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle. The right needle should be underneath the left needle.
  3. Wrap the yarn: With your right hand, wrap the yarn around the right needle from left to right. This might feel a bit tricky at first, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it.
  4. Pull through the loop: Carefully pull the right needle—and the loop of yarn—back through the stitch on the left needle. Then, slip the old stitch off the left needle. Now, a loop (or a knit stitch!) should be on the right needle.

Repeat these steps until you've knit each stitch from the left needle onto the right. Well done, you've just completed a row of knit stitches! Keep going, and you'll see how the knit stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric known as "garter stitch". You're well on your way in your journey to learn knitting in a week!

How to do the purl stitch

Now that you're comfortable with the knit stitch, let's take a step further into the world of knitting. The purl stitch is the second fundamental stitch in knitting. It's like the mirror image of the knit stitch and adds a whole new dimension to your knitting. Ready to learn the purl stitch and get closer to mastering how to learn knitting in a week?

  1. Positioning your needles: Like with the knit stitch, you'll start with the needle with stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right. However, this time, you should insert the right needle into the first stitch from right to left, with the right needle on top.
  2. Wrapping the yarn: Wrap the yarn around the right needle, this time going from right to left.
  3. Pulling through: Pull the right needle back through the stitch, catching the loop of yarn as you go. This should create a new loop on your right needle.
  4. Slipping off the stitch: Just like before, slip the old stitch off the left needle. Now you have a purl stitch on your right needle!

Repeat these steps for every stitch on your left needle. At the end of the row, you'll have a series of bumps - these are your purl stitches! This technique is called the "stockinette stitch" when alternated with rows of knit stitches. It's a great skill to have up your sleeve as you continue to learn knitting in a week. Keep up the good work!

How to bind off

As we continue our journey on how to learn knitting in a week, we've now reached an exciting milestone—the bind off. This is how you neatly finish your knitting project, securing all the stitches so they don't unravel. Let's get started:

  1. Knit two stitches: Start as if you're doing a regular row. Knit the first two stitches from the left needle onto the right.
  2. Lift and slip: Here's where it gets different. Take the first stitch you knitted, and lift it up and over the second stitch and off the right needle. You now have one stitch left on the right needle.
  3. Repeat: Knit another stitch from the left needle onto the right, and repeat the lift and slip step. Continue this process until you have one stitch left on your right needle and none on the left.
  4. Finish off: Cut your yarn, leaving a tail. Pull the tail through the last stitch to secure it, and voilà! You've just bound off your knitting project.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you knit and bind off, the more comfortable you'll get with the process. And as with everything in knitting, don't rush it—take your time and enjoy the process. Now you're one step closer to achieving your goal of learning to knit in a week. Keep up the great work!

How to read a knitting pattern

As we move forward on our quest on how to learn knitting in a week, it's time to unlock a new skill—reading a knitting pattern. It might look like a secret code at first, but don't worry. Here's a simple breakdown to help you become a knitting pattern pro:

  1. Understand the basics: The pattern will start with some basic information. Look for the type of yarn and the size of needles you'll need. You will also see the gauge, which tells you how many stitches and rows should fit within a certain measurement. This helps ensure your finished product is the correct size.
  2. Decipher the abbreviations: Knitting patterns use a lot of abbreviations. Some common ones are "k" for knit, "p" for purl, and "st" for stitch. Check out the pattern's key or legend to understand them all.
  3. Follow the instructions: The pattern will guide you row by row. For example, "k2, p2" means you should knit two stitches, then purl two stitches. If there's an asterisk (*), it indicates a repeat. So, "*k2, p2*" means you repeat knitting two and purling two for the whole row.
  4. Finish strong: Just like a book, knitting patterns have an end. It will tell you when to bind off, and may include instructions for finishing touches like sewing seams or adding buttons.

Reading a knitting pattern is like learning a new language, but with a bit of practice, it becomes second nature. So, don't be intimidated! Before you know it, you'll be able to tackle any knitting pattern with ease. This is a crucial step in learning how to knit in a week, and you're doing an amazing job so far. Keep it up!

If you found this blog post on learning to knit helpful and are interested in exploring other creative textile techniques, check out 'Creative Ways to Use Traditional Hand Embroidery Techniques' workshop by Irem Yazici. This workshop will teach you innovative ways to incorporate traditional embroidery techniques into your knitting projects, adding unique flair and personal touches to your creations.