This guide will show you everything you need to get started with knitting.
First, you’ll learn how to get yarn onto the needles. Then, you’ll learn how to make the all-important knit stitch. Lastly, we’ll go over how to get your knitting off the needles.
Sound good? Let’s dive in!
Daisy808 says
After you do the long tail cast on, which side is the Right Side and which side is the Wrong Side?
Davina says
The “right” side or “wrong” side of the longtail cast on is totally up to you! There is no objective right or wrong side to the long tail cast on.
Caroline says
At last a knitting instruction I can follow. My mother has tried so often to teach me to knit but somehow I just couldn’t “get” it – now I do “get” it – thank you so much!
Davina says
You’re welcome, Caroline! I’m so glad you “get” it now! 😀
Magdeline says
Hi Carol teach me how to knit hat step by step plse
holly says
Hi! Thank you for the tutorials. They are super helpful. I am still confused by the difference between Knit Stitch and Stockinette Stitch. I am dong the Knit stitch as instructed but it also has the knit and purl on both sides. I never see a side that is all Vs. It’s always just a rotation of the knit and purl. How does one get the Vs all on one side. Thank you!
holly says
Thank you for your tutorials. They are really helpful, neatly edited and easy to follow. I was having a problem understanding the difference between the knit stitch and the stockinette stitch. In your tutorial for the knit stitch above it seems that what was happening is I was actually ending up with a garter stitch by repeating the knit stitch over and over. I don’t think you noted this in the tutorial but I could be wrong. When I tried to do the stockinette stitch I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t have a right or wrong side just a ‘both’ side. Am I missing something about the difference? I don’t see that there is a knit and purl back and forth tutorial on your site. I’m just still a little confused. Thank you!
Precious says
I would like to ask what knitting needles you can recommend? I Am very interested in knitting but it is so hard for me to find a good starter knitting needles. Thank you!
Davina says
Hi there! I recommend bamboo or wooden needles. The bigger the better. I would choose a pair that are 5mm or larger. On this page under the section “Gather Your Materials” I go over the best needles for beginners. Hope that helps!
Kelsey says
I love your site so much but I’ve been trying to find a step-by-step of how to purl? It seems confusing to me & the videos I’ve seen you do it in so far all make it seem like there’s one out there somewhere in which you’ve already slowly described it… Am I missing something here in my searches?
Davina says
Hi Kelsey! I’m definitely overdue for a purl stitch video! I made one years ago here: https://youtu.be/N_y-4iAk9js but there’s no voiceover and just music. It’s probably not as precise as it could be. This video from RJ Knits is quit good: https://youtu.be/lC4Pm3JWnD0
Maddy says
Hi
Do you have a speedy knitting technique?
alina feza nasution says
first I don’t know how to knit ,after I watch how to knit I already know how to knit
thank you
Kelsi says
What do I do with the little tail that’s left over after I’m done casting on?
kaleia says
Secretly weave the end tail into the project.
Elaine McNamee says
Hello I have an issue with the correct way to wrap the yarn around fingers so knit and purl tensions are even. I have been knitting for years and have never been happy with tension and realize it must be the yarn wrap.
Irisyarnbear says
I love your tutorials. Best knitting website ever. But why have you not posted videos in a while?
Davina says
Hi! I’ve just added a new purl stitch video. You can find it here: https://sheepandstitch.com/library/how-to-purl-stitch-in-knitting-for-beginners/
Elizabeth says
Davina thank you so much you helped me with so much of my knitting! Now I want to knit everyday all the time you made it so much easier for me. Thank you again.
Robyn says
I am starting to meet this pattern ziggy zebra never been knitting
Teresa Hughes says
I just love how you have shown how to knit for beginners. So easy to follow. I have crocheted for many years and now I wanted to try knitting. Love it so easy so far. Getting ready to knit the scarf can’t wait to see how I do. Thank you for your easy method of knitting for beginners.
Elizabeth Choi says
Hi Davina I LOVED your tutorials they helped me so much with knitting. Now knitting is sort of my “thing.” Thanks again love your videos too.
Barbara says
Your videos are wonderful and so user friendly!! Very helpful, I’m just a beginner so I needed something very easy to follow!
Elina says
Hi Davina,
Thank you very much for all the tutorials and the information you provided. You make knitting so accessible and easy!
I have a question regarding yarn and niddle size. If I have a yarn with no lable, and I am a beginner, how can I match the right niddles size to the yarn?
Brigette says
I just want to say thanks for these wonderful tutorials. I am teaching my young niece to knit, and your instructions and images are so simple and encouraging, which will help her when I’m not there to answer questions and show her myself. They also help me put into words the actions and steps that have become second-nature to me over the years. Knit on!
S. Shanaman says
I am 66 years old and recently retrieved old balls of yarn to keep me company in this time of CoVid-19. The last time I knitted was 20 years ago and I was a beginner then!
Needless to say, there was much anxiety involved when trying to meerly cast on. Then I found your tutorials.
Listening to your pleasant and clear voice and watching your succinct visuals help me to venture back into the world of yarn! Even this old person can follow them.
Thank you so much,
S. Shanaman
Meheret says
Davina, your tutorials are so helpful for beginners! I signed up to learn knitting on a paid website and became so frustrated when I wasn’t getting it. So thankful I stumbled onto your YouTube page before giving up. What you’ve put together is truly such a gift!
Heidi Wedge says
I tried but this is just confusing me 😂 I still have no clue what I’m doing and there is definitely something im doing wrong cos I can’t find the loop during the stitch.
TreShaun Pate says
What do you do with the little tail once you start the knit stitch? Do you just cut it off?
Jenna says
Hi Davina,
Will you make a blog post or video showing hand exercises and stretches to help prevent knitting injuries? I would really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Nessin says
Thank you SOO much for these videos and tutorials. I tried knitting a few years ago but failed since the book was very hard to follow. I thought I would never be able to knit until I saw your fun videos. These were very helpful. Thank you Davinia!!!
Davina says
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you’ve found success with these videos!
Christina says
Love, love, LOVE your instruction and videos! I am a total beginner and your videos made it so simple to learn. My stitches may not be perfect but I am learning and enjoying myself. Thank you!!!
Ramona says
My mom taught me to knit when in 6th grade. While still in high school we went to one of her friends who taught us the two strand way to cast on. What a joy it was to learn for me because I was a very tight knitter. This way made it so much easier to knit my first row. You showed me another way to cast it on and I will try it and see if it will be easier. Thanks so much for teaching more than one way to add a new ball of thread. My needles are packed right now so I may go buy new ones so I can make this pattern.
Lyla says
WOW! I didn’t think that I could learn how to knit so easily!
Thanks, Davina!
javiera says
sometimes I read : “Cast on 40(40, 42, 42)…” what means the numbers inside the brakets?
Kevin Dalton says
Well I really enjoyed your Blog!!
This blog has really made me more enthusiastic about learning knitting 🙂
Rachel says
Hello!
I am having a load of trouble getting the knit stitch down. I can cast on just fine with no problems, but when it comes to the knit stitch everything goes wrong. I’m frustrated because I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I tried a more bulky yarn with 9 mm bamboo needles and I tried a smaller yarn with the same needles. I never fail to run into trouble even after playing around with the sizes of yarn. My knit stitches always get too tight, and they get tighter and tighter as I keep on going until I finally cannot go any further because they are just too tight. Then I tried making my cast-on stitches looser but that did not fix anything when it was time to knit stitch. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, and It’s annoying. I would really like it if you could tell me what I’m doing wrong!
Tas says
Hi there! I really need some urgent help. I’m a beginner and I’m knitting a baby cardigan for my sister’s baby and she’s due in a week. I’m up to the sleeves and using circular needles (following this tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeiNEAtDMd0&ab_channel=SoWoolly) and I have no idea what she’s doing!
I don’t even know how to start and which stitch to pick up and whatnot. If there’s any way you can advise me, please help! I really wanna get this done before the baby comes because I’m also knitting a romper.
Much appreciated!
PrincessXe says
I have tried to knit so many times with other websites but I got confused but now I know thanks to sheep and Stich.Thank u
SophieMontclaire says
You have no idea how much you have helped me. I’m disabled (in bed all day, with limited “good” moments) and I needed to find a purpose in life. There is a local program where people can knit items for children with cancer. I purchased the yarn and needles, and after they arrived, I tried to find a website to teach me. Yours was the first I found, and the width of the yarn and type and size of needle is the exact one you suggested to learn on. Five minutes later, I can cast. I haven’t gotten to step #2, because I had to say thank you first. I didn’t think I was going to be able to learn. You are a gifted teacher, and I’m quite grateful.
Laura Neilson says
I don’t even remember why, but last fall I had this notion that I wanted to learn to knit. I’m a bit of a perfectionist but am also the type of person who doesn’t want to start with a scarf, I want to start with a cable knit sweater (and have it turn out perfect). Haha! I started with a lap blanket for in my car.
Anyways, I happened upon your website and loved your videos… so easy to see what your hands are doing and your explanations/instructions were great.
Knitting has been great for helping tame my perfectionism. Because, nothing I have made has turned out perfect yet. lol. During my first project, the lap blanket, I was talking on the phone to my daughter and I purled 3/4 of a row when I should have been knitting. I didn’t catch the mistake until about 6 rows later. At that point in my knitting journey, I didn’t even know how to take out rows without going all the way back to the beginning. So, I left the mistake… It reminds me of my daughter every time I look at it. 🙂
Since then, I’ve made two blankets, one infinity scarf, one regular scarf (that I ended up re-making 3 times because it kept curling), squares for a patchwork type of blanket and I’m getting ready to attempt socks.
I love your blog and all your videos. Thanks so much for being a part of my knitting journey!
amelie says
hi davina!
your tutorials help me a lot but i just wanted to clarify, when doing the 1×1 rib stitch, do i have to bring the yarn over the needle? or can i just pick kinda love it to front and back if you know what i mean. sorry i feel like i’m exposing this poorly. but like grab the working yarn and just pull it back a little
Davina says
I thinks this video on rib knitting will help answer your question: https://sheepandstitch.com/library/rib-knitting-for-beginners-1×1-and-2×2-rib-tutorial/ cheers!
Micqaela says
Thank you this helped a lot, i am now a knitter! I’m so proud but also fell like a grandma lol. Thanks!!!
atikul says
I found this blog of yours a lot and I really enjoyed your blog !!
This blog has really made me more enthusiastic about learning knitting.
atikul says
I found this blog of yours a lot and I really enjoyed your blog !!
This blog has really made me more enthusiastic about learning knitting. thanks.
Denise says
Love your videos and instructions. They have made this adventure so much more easier.
Thank you so much !!!!
Nishita says
I am using Yarnspirations Bernat Baby Blanket yarn to make a 30inx30in baby blanket. As suggested on the yarn I am using US 11 straight knitting needles. Can I fit 120 cast on stitches on those needles.
Eliza says
I learned how to knit on this website. Thank you so much Davina
Rose says
I was able to learn so easy with your direction. You did a excellent job. Thank you!
Alissa Allen says
I loved these videos, they were super easy to follow. I bought a knitting for beginners kit and no matter how I tried I just couldn’t understand from the book that came with it but then I found your videos and now I am on my way to being a knitting pro! My question though is what do you do with the little tails from the beginning and end of the project?
Norma Marot says
Thank you for your clear instructions for beginners. I searched for a site where the children I will be teaching how to knit can go to help them when I’m not with them. I will give them your website address so that they will have someone (you) by their side for the times when they forget.
Cari says
I’m so happy to have found your site! You explained the process of knitting so simply. Honestly I struggled a lot with it trying to learn on my own and while I have years of crocheting under my belt I just couldn’t seem to get the hang of knitting. After watching your videos something just clicked and now I am proud to say I am looking forward to finishing my first knitting project. You turned me from a doubter into a doer! Thank you!
Kayla James says
Do you tension your yarn when you do the knit stitch? I am learning the English way. Do you knit English or do you knit another way?
Ellie says
this is amazingly easy
thanksss
Kayla says
How should I hold the needles while knitting and do I need to wrap the yarn around my fingers? Is that what you do? I am blind so I can’t see how you do it. Also, can you do a video on knitting fast?
Davina says
I wrap the yarn around my finger to tension the yarn. You don’t need to hold the yarn the way that I do. I was just taught this way.
Candice says
Howdy!!! I just found your blog. What a great informative space for beginners. I’m having trouble keeping the tail of the cast on at bay. Do I keep it to the side of the knitting (aka to the left) or do wind it in as I go? Help would be awesome.
Davina says
If you find the tail end annoying, you can weave it into your knitting after having knit a couple rows. Thread up the yarn tail on a tapestry needle and weave the tail end into the yarn to hide and secure it.
Flo says
I just found your page. Excellent, easy to follow.
Thank you!!!
Pamela says
I am a beginner. Thanks so much for you beginner guide. I can caste on; and knit stitch but I have so much trouble with the purl stitch. Your directions are very clear. I think that I practiced the knit stitch so much that the purl stitch is just so opposite that it is hard for me to master it. Maybe I could join a group of experienced knitters to help me out. I love how relaxed knitting makes me feel. Thanks for such clear instructions and for your beginner guide. Pam
Clara says
Hi. Your tutorials are somewhat good. For the backbone stitch I feel like you need to explain more clearly which yarn you “drag counter-clockwise”, i don’t know if it’s the yarn connected to the ball of yarn, or the yarn that is just “hanging out”. Can you please make that more clear and just how to do the backbone stitch in general? Well, thank you for using your time to help other people become pro (kind of) knitters ☺️
VANORA says
Thank you 😊😊 enjoyed