How to Knit

Learn to knit here in the way that's best for you -- video, illustrations or detailed step-by-step instructions.

Illustrated Instructions

Casting On Step 1 Casting On Step 2 Casting On Step 3 Casting On Step 4

How-To Instruction Topics

Download All Learn-to-Knit Instructions (PDF)

Before You Start...

Steps:
  1. Casting On
  2. The Knit Stitch (Garter Stitch)
  3. The Purl Stitch
  4. Ribbing
  5. Stockinette Stitch
  6. Binding Off (casting off)
  7. Making a Gauge Swatch
  8. Joining New Yarn
  9. Recovering a dropped stitch
  10. Unraveling Stitch by Stitch
  11. Avoiding Extra Stitches
  12. Increasing
  13. Increasing - Making a Simple Increase (knitting into the front and back of a stitch)
  14. Increasing Between a Stitch ('Make One')
  15. Increasing - The Yarn Over Increase
  16. Decreasing
  17. Decreasing - Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK/SSP)
  18. Decreasing - Knit/Purl Two Together (K2tog / P2tog)
  19. Slipping Stitches Purlwise and Knitwise
  20. Making a cable
  21. Knitting into the Back Loop/Front Loop
  22. Purling into the Back Loop/Front Loop
  23. Finishing / Sewing pieces together
  24. Weaving in Ends
  25. Three needle bindoff
  26. Picking up Stitches
  27. Knitting with two strands together
  28. Duplicate Stitch
  29. Grafting (Kitchener Stitch)
  30. Left-handed Knitting
  31. Knitting with Ruffles Yarn
  32. Knitting on Circular Needles
  33. Knitting I-Cord
  34. Folded Picot Edge
  35. Fair Isle Knitting
  36. Backwards Loop Cast On
Additional Topics