How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBook - AllFreeKnitting.com

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookCopyright 2011 by Prime Publishing LLCAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrievalsystem, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodiedin critical articles and reviews.Trademarks are property of their respective holders. When used, trademarks are for the benefit of thetrademark owner only.Published by Prime Publishing LLC, 3400 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 – www.primecp.comFree Knitting ProjectsFree Crochet Projects Free Sewing Projects Free Craft ProjectsFind a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.2

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookLetter from the EditorsDear Beginning Knitters,So you’ve decided to learn how to knit – congratulations! You’re on your way to developing a pricelessskill that you can take with you wherever you go. Feeling a little intimidated? Don’t be, learning how toknit will be a piece of cake now that you have this eBook in front of you. Knitting can seem a littleoverwhelming at first, but with practice, you’ll find it quite simple.For instance, did you know that every single knitted garment is created with just two stitiches: the knitand purl stitch? Every special stitch is a just a variation of those two stitches – isn’t that good news?Once you learn the basics, you’ll be able to take on more complex patterns and alternate stitches tocreate a variety of beautiful items. Enjoy!For more free knitting patterns, videos and tips, visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.Happy Knitting,The Editors of AllFreeKnittingwww.AllFreeKnitting.comFind a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.3

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookTable of ContentsKnitting Basics ................................................. 5Knitting Chart .................................................. 7How to Cast On ............................................... 9The Knit Stitch ............................................... 12How to Purl ................................................... 14How to Cast Off ............................................. 16How to Increase Stitches ............................... 20How to Decrease Stitches ............................. 22Knitting Abbreviations ................................... 24How to Read Knitting Instructions ................ 28Easy Basic Cotton Dishcloth .......................... 29Chain Stitch Scarf ........................................... 30How to Add New Yarn ................................... 18Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.4

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookKnitting BasicsBy M. E. HarringtonDouble Point NeedlesDouble point needles are used to make smallcircular garments, such as socks, mittens, or thesleeves on jackets or sweaters, or other itemsthat benefit from a seamless finish.Knitting Needle TypesIt’s not really certain when the art of knittingoriginated, but some artifacts have been found,dating back to the 11 th century. These itemsoriginated in Egypt and are dated between the11 th and 14 th century, and bear a resemblanceto socks.One thing for sure, with the variety of knittingneedles available today; knitting has beenperfected and has evolved to a creative art!Knitting needles have developed from simplesticks to the diverse assortment available on themarket today.Single Point NeedlesThese needles have a point at one end, and acap at the other, which keeps the stitches fromfalling off. They are great for making flat items,such as scarves, shawls, table runners, andafghans. The cap allows multiple stitches to beworked at the same time, such as for an afghan,without the fear of stitches falling off the end.The garments are worked with a set of 4needles. The stitches remain permanently on 3of the needles, and the forth needle is used toknit into the stitches, transferring them to the4 th needle as they are worked. In patterns youwill usually see them referred to as dp needles.Circular NeedlesCircular needles are not created as a full circle.They are two needles, connected by a cord,usually a nylon type fiber. They allow a largercircular garment, such as a large sweater, to beworked in a seamless product. The connectorcord will hold many stitches, without the bulkthat would normally happen when using doublepointed needles. They also come in handywhen transporting your unfinished items, as thestitches won’t fall off the needles as easily.Circular needles can also be used to make largeblankets, which would otherwise need to becompleted in sections and then sewn together.The circular needles allow a great number ofstitches to be cast on, and then the item can beknitted back and forth in much the samemanner as using flat needles.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.5

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookCable Stitch NeedlesCable stitch needles have a curved section inthem, so the stitches can settle in theindentation as cable stitch is worked. Thestitches need to be moved from side to sidewhen working cables and the indentation allowseasy identification of the stitches beingmanipulated to produce the cable effect.Knitting needles are made in a variety ofmaterials: plastic, wood, bamboo, metal, andacrylic. Which type you use comes down topersonal preference.GaugeWhen knitting a garment, it is immenselyhelpful to know from the onset whether thefinished item will fit. This is where gauge comesin. To check for gauge, a swatch is knitted topredict the size of your knitted item. Generallya swatch of 10 stitches long and 10 rows high isworked. The swatch can then be placed on aflat surface, and measured to see how manystitches equal one inch. Once established, thenumber of stitches in an inch is multiplied bythe number of inches needed, and you canestimate how many stitches need to be cast on.For example, if gauge measures 4 stitches perinch, and your garment needs to be 25 inches,you will need to cast on 100 stitches.This will avoid the disappointment of finishing agarment, only to have it not fit as intended. Fora garment where stitch count is crucial to thepattern design, the needle size can be adjustedso that the swatch test results comply withthose specified in the pattern. In this case,moving to larger or smaller sized needles wouldadjust the stitch size without having to makecomplicated adjustments to the patterninstructions.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.6

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookKnitting ChartBy Craft Yarn Council of AmericaNote: GUIDELINES ONLY: The above reflect themost commonly used gauges and needle sizesfor specific yarn categories.** Laceweight yarns are usually knitted onlarger needles to create lacy, openworkpatterns. Accordingly, a gauge range is difficultto determine. Always follow the gauge stated inyour pattern.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.7

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookHow to Make a Slip Knot4. Pull the yarn through the loop.By M. E. Harrington1. To make the slip knot, wind the yarn into acircle, with the end of the yarn on top.5. Pull on the loop to tighten up the knot.2. Pass your fingers through the loop.6. Pass the knitting needle through the loop.3. Grasp the yarn end which is still attached tothe ball.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.8

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookHow to Cast OnBy M. E. Harrington3. Wrap your thumb around the yarn, bypassing your thumb over the yarn, thenbringing your thumb under the yarn andtoward you.1. Now that you know how to do the slip knot,you will be able to cast on your stitches tobegin knitting. The simplest method ofcasting on is to use your thumb. In order todo this, you must leave a long tail of yarn touse in the casting on process.This photo shows a slip knot madeapproximately 18 inches away from the endof the yarn.4. Pass the knitting needle through the loopon your thumb, from front to back.2. Hold the knitting needle in your right hand.Grasp the yarn end between your thumband finger of the left hand as shown in thephoto below.5. Keep your thumb in the loop, holding itopen.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.9

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBook6. Grasp the yarn end that is still attached to theball of yarn, and bring the yarn between yourthumb, and the knitting needle.9. Tighten up the stitch by tugging on both ends ofthe yarn.7. Use your thumb to slip the loop over theend of the knitting needle, leaving the yarnend on the needle.10. Repeat steps 3 - 9 to add as many stitchesas your project will require.8. This is how the stitch looks after slippingthe loop over.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.10

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookThe Wrap On Method1. Begin by making a slip knot.4. Pull to set the stitch snugly on theneedle.2. Wrap the thumb of your left handaround the yarn.5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 to make as manystitches as your project requires. (Thismethod requires extra attention totension when making the first row ofstitches, or extra yarn will occurbetween the stitches.)3. Slip the loop onto the needle.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.11

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookThe Knit StitchBy M. E. Harrington3. It helps to keep the stitch on the needleif you press the yarn against the needlewith your finger on your left hand.Bring the yarn between the two pointsof the needles.1. Cast the correct number of stitchesrequired for your project on the knittingneedle.4. Using the tip of the needle, bring theyarn through the loop as shown in thephoto below.2. To knit the first stitch, pass the point ofthe empty needle through the firststitch.5. Release the pressure of your left fingerwhich is holding the stitch on theneedle, and allow the stitch to slip offthe needle.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.12

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBook6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 in each stitchacross the row. See photos in step 7.8. Change the needle filled with stitchesback to the left hand, and repeat steps3 - 6.9. This will give you a texture of knit everyrow, which will look like the photobelow. (This is a lovely texture, whichwill make you look like a seasonedknitter!) The knit every row technique(also known as the garter stitch) isparticularly useful in making scarves,hats, and sweaters, and works up morequickly than knit one row, purl one row.7.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.13

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBook6. The stitch has been totally moved tothe needle in your right hand in thephoto below.(One row of purl stitch completed)7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 in each stitch acrossthe row.Once you’ve gotten some practice, you canalternate rows to create the texture above.Simply knit one row, and then purl one row.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.15

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookHow to Cast OffBy M. E. Harrington3. Pull the first stitch over the secondstitch. You will now have only onestitch on the right hand needle.1. The first step to binding off is to knit, orpurl, the first two stitches of the row.4. Knit or purl the next stitch.2. Use the tip of the knitting needle to pullthe first stitch over the second stitch.Pass the tip under the first stitch.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.16

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBook5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 across the row.7. Pull the yarn end through the last stitch,and pull to tighten up.8. Thread the yarn end into a yarn needle,and weave it through the finished work.6. Repeat steps 1 to 5, until you have nostitches left on the left hand needle,and only one stitch on the right handneedle. Slide the stitch off the needle.Cut the yarn approximately 6 incheslong.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.17

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookHow to Add New YarnBy M. E. HarringtonThere are several reasons for needing to addanother yarn: (1) you may have run out of yarn,(2) your project may require a change in color,or (3) your project may require a change incolor in the middle of a row. Here’s how to doall three.Adding Yarn in the Middle of a RowTo add yarn in the center of a row, for the firstrow, simply drop the yarn you were workingwith, and begin working with the other yarn.Tie the two yarns together at the back of yourwork, in a square knot. When your project isfinished, weave the yarn ends into the finishedwork with a yarn needle.Adding a New Color at the End of a RowTo add another yarn at the end of a row, simplydrop the old yarn end, and begin the row with anew yarn.Later, you will weave the yarn ends into thefinished work with a yarn needle.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.18

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookFor subsequent rows, when the colors meet,twist the colors around once before changingyarns. This connects the two colors so therewon’t be an open hole at the junction of thetwo colors.The photos below show how your work will lookfrom the front and from the back. Note thetwist of the two colors at the back of the work,in the secondphoto.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.19

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookHow to Increase StitchesBy M. E. Harrington3. Then knit, (or purl) into the new stitch stichhas been added on.Make One Method1. One method is to make an extra stitchbetween two existing stitches. To do this,pick up the yarn between two stitches withthe tip of the knitting needle in your righthand.4. You now have an additional stitch.2. Place it on the left hand needle.Knit One Method1. To knit an increase in stitches, first knitinto the front of the stitch in the usualmanner. (If you are increasing on a purlrow, purl into front of the stitch.)Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.20

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBook2. Before slipping the stitch off the needle,knit into the back side of the stitch.3. You will now have 2 two stitches, wherethere was one before.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.21

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookHow to Decrease StitchesBy M. E. HarringtonKnit Two Together Method1. Then knit, (or purl) into the new stitch stichhas been added on. Pass the needlethrough the loops of two stitches.Pass Over Stitch Method1. Slip a stitch onto the right hand needle.2. Knit the two stitches as though they wereone stitch.2. Knit the next stitch.3. The photo below shows two stitchesdecreased using the Knit Two Togethermethod.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.22

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBook3. Pull the slipped stitch over the stitch justknitted.The photo below shows the 2 stitches markedwith red asterisks decreased by the Knit TwoTogether method. The two stitches markedwith blue number signs, decreased with thePass Over method. There is no noticeabledifference.Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.23

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookKnitting Abbreviationscn = Cable needleCO = Cast on“ = Inch or inches* = Repeat instructions following the singleasterisk as directed** = Repeat instructions between asterisks asdirected{ } = Alternate measurements or instructions( ) = Repeat directions as noted or indicatedalt = Alternateapprox = Approximatelybeg = Begin or beginningbet = BetweenBk lp = Back loopBlo = Back loop onlyBp = Back postBO = Bind offC = CableCA = Color ACB = Color BCC = Contrasting colorCdd = Centered double decreasech = Chaincl = Clustercm = Centimeter or centimeterscont = ContinueCOR = Carriage on the rightCR = Cross Stitches to the rightcross 2 L = Cross 2 stitches to the leftcross 2 R = Cross 2 stitches to the rightdc = Double crochetdec = Decreasedecs = DecreasesDK = Double knitting weight yarndpn = Double pointed needlesea = EachEON = End of needleEON = Every other needleEOR = End of rowFC = Front crossfl = Front Loopsfol = Front loop onlyfoll = Follow, follows, followingfwp = Forward working positiong = Gramgr = Gramg st = Garter stitchFind a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.24

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookgrp = Groupgrps = Groupshdc = Half double crochethk = Hookhp = Holding positionin = Inchins = Inchesinc = Increaseincs = Increasesincl = Includingk = Knit stitchk tbl = Knit stitch through the back loopK1 tbl = Knit stitch through the back loopK1b = Knit stitch through the back loopk-b = Knit stitch in the row belowk-wise = knit-wisek1 f&b = Knit 1 stitch in the front, then in theback of the same stitchkfb = Knit 1 stitch in the front, then in the backof the same stitchk2tog = Knit 2 stitches togetherk2tog tbl = Knit 2 stitches together through theback loopskll = Knit left loopkp = Keyplatekrl = Knit right loopLC = Left crossLH = Left handlp = Looplps = LoopsLT = Left twistM = MarkerMs = Markersm = MeterM1 = Make 1M1A = Make 1 awayM1F = Make 1 front leftM1L = Make 1 front leftM1B = Make 1 back rightM1R = Make 1 back rightM1T = Make 1 towardsMB = Make bobblemc = Main Colormm = millimetersno = NumberNWP = Non-working positionoz = Ounce or ouncesp = Purl stitchp tble = Purl stitch through the back loopP1b = Purl stitch through the back loopFind a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.25

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookP1 tble = Purl stitch through the back loopp-b = Purl stitch in the row belowp-wise = Purl wisepfb = Purl the front of the stitch, then purl theback of the same stitchp1 f&b = Purl the front of the stitch, then purlthe back of the same stitchp2tog = Purl 2 togetherp2tog tble = Purl 2 together through the backloopspat = Patternpatt = Patternpats = Patternspatts = Patternspm = Place markerpnso = Pass next stitch overpop = Popcorn stitchprev = Previouspsso = Pass the slipped stitch overpu = Pick up stitchesRC = Right Crossrem = Remainingrep = Repeatreps = RepeatsRev ST st = Reverse stockinette or stockingstitchRH = Right handRib = Ribbingrnd = Roundrnds = RoundsRS = Right sideRT = Right twistsc = Single crochetsk = Skipsk2p = Slip 1 Knit 2 tog or pass slipped stitchoverSKP = Slip, knit, passskpo = Slip, knit, passs = Slip a stitchsl = Slip a stitchsl st = Slip stitch or Slip stitchessl1, k1, psso = Slip 1, knit 1, pass the slippedstitch oversl1k = Slip a stitch knit-wisesl 1 k-wise = Slip a stitch knit-wisesl1p = Slip a stitch purl-wise1sl 1 p-wise = Slip a stitch purl-wiseSp = Spacesps = Spacesssk = Slip, slip, knit slipped stitches togssp = Slip, slip, purlFind a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.26

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBooksssk = Slip, slip, slip, knit 3 slipped stitchesst = Stitchsts = StitchesSt st = Stockinette or stocking stitchTble = Through the back loopTog = Togetherwon = Wool over needlewp = Working positionwrn = Wool round needleWS = Wrong sidewy = Waste yarnwyib = With yarn in backyb = Yarn to the backybk = Yarn to the backyd = Yardyds = Yardsyfon = Yarn forward and over needleyfrn = Yarn forward and round needleyf = Yarn forwardyfwd = Yarn forwardyo = Yarn over needleyo2 = Yarn over twiceyon = Yarn over needleyrn = Yarn over needlewyif = With yarn in frontFind a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.27

How to Knit for Beginners: 9 Free Tutorials eBookChain Stitch ScarfBy BernatMaterials Yarn: Bernat Bamboo (60 g / 2.1 oz) 2balls of #92425 (Rosehip) Circular Knitting Needle: Size 6 mm(U.S. 10) 16 ins 40 cm long or sizeneeded to obtain gauge.Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4 ins 10 cm instocking st.Instructions:Cast on 171 sts. Do not join in rnd. Workingback and forth in rows, proceed as follows:1st row: (WS). Knit.2nd row: *P1. Sl1P. Rep from * to last st. P1.3rd row: K2. *Sl1. K1. Rep from * to last st.K1.Chain stitch creates a soft texture in this freescarf knitting pattern in Bamboo yarn. Knitlengthwise on circular needles, the scarf isquick and easy. Use the chain stitch techniqueon other projects.Finished Size: 5 x 50 ins 12.5 x 127 cm4th to 7th rows: Beg with a knit row, work instocking st.Rep 2nd to 7th rows for 5 ins [12.5 cm], then2nd and 3rd rows once.Next row: Knit. Cast off knitwise (WS).Find a variety of free knitting patterns visit www.AllFreeKnitting.com.30