How to knit for beginners: your guide to getting started

If you've landed here, you're probably an eager beginner — or someone getting back to knitting after a while. Either way: welcome to the world of knitting. It's a passion that crosses ages, genders and generations, and the good news is that you need very little to start: one ball of yarn, a pair of needles and a bit of patience.

In this guide you'll find everything in order: what you really need to start, which yarn to choose, how to hold yarn and needles, how to cast on and the basic stitches — knit, purl and garter. At the end you'll also find the easy first project to begin with. It all starts with one stitch.

What you need to start knitting

To learn you don't need complicated gear: yarn and needles, that's it. Then, as you gain confidence, you'll add the accessories. Here are the three types of needles you'll meet:

• Classic straight needles: the basic pair, usually 40 cm, in aluminium, bamboo or plastic. The starting point for scarves and swatches;
• Circular needles: two tips joined by a flexible cable, to knit in the round (hats, seamless sweaters) or wide pieces;
• Double-pointed needles: sets of 4-5 pieces for narrow tubes, like socks and cuffs.

Basic knitting needles 40 cm
The ideal straight pair to start, in several sizes. Almost every knit begins here.
Discover the basic needles →

You'll find everything in the knitting needles, circular needles and double-pointed needles categories. The accessories (tape measure, scissors, blunt tapestry needles, stitch holders) can wait: at first, yarn and needles are truly enough.

Which yarn to choose to start

Feeling the yarn slide through your fingers is one of the joys of knitting. For your first projects the advice is simple: a smooth, medium-weight wool. Smooth yarns (wool, cotton or blends) always show the stitch well and forgive mistakes. Later you can try textured yarns (alpaca, silk, mohair) and fancy ones like chenille. All our yarns meet the highest European standards.

Justin Baby — extrafine merino wool
Smooth, soft and well defined in the stitch: the perfect wool to learn and see every stitch clearly from the start.
Discover Justin Baby →

Mark — merino wool and silk
A fine blend with real character once knitted: smooth on the ball, luminous in the stitch. For those who want a step up.
Discover Mark →

Avril — chenille
The cuddle yarn par excellence: velvety and very soft, with a warm plush effect. Lovely for scarves and blankets.
Discover Avril chenille →

Explore the full range in the baby wool and wool blends categories. Golden rule: match the needle size to the yarn (it's usually shown on the ball band).

How to hold yarn and needles

Before knitting, get comfortable with the hold. There is no single "right" method: try until you find the one that feels good. Relax your shoulders and wrists — knitting needs good hand-eye coordination, hard to have when tense.

The yarn: to keep it flowing, run it over and under your fingers, leaving the fingertips free. Usually the working end runs over the index finger, while the yarn from the ball runs over the little finger. You can hold it in your right hand (the "English" method) or your left (the "Continental" method).

The needles: there are two classic holds. The pencil hold (free needle) is handy with short needles, and the hand carries the weight of the work. The knife hold (fixed needle) is used with long needles, tucking the right needle end under your arm. Try both.

How to cast on

The first step of any project is to cast on. It all starts with the slip knot: make a loop with the yarn, pass the tail through, slide the needle in and gently tighten. That's your first stitch. From there, three useful ways to cast on the rest:

• Two-needle cast-on: makes a firm, cord-like edge. You knit a stitch and move it from the right needle to the left, repeating. Not very stretchy but very sturdy;
• Thumb cast-on (or "long-tail"): uses one needle and a tail about three times the edge to cast on. Stretchy and versatile, great for starting ribbing;
• Simple loop cast-on: the quickest, with one needle; ideal for buttonholes and for adding a few stitches at the end of a row.

For your first tries the thumb cast-on works great: it gives a stretchy, tidy edge without much effort.

The basic stitches: knit, purl and garter

Once you've cast on, all of knitting comes from just two stitches: knit and purl. Learn these and you can make (almost) anything.

• Knit stitch: you put the right needle into the stitch from the front, catch the yarn and pull it through to form the new stitch. It's the base stitch;
• Purl stitch: like the knit but worked from the front with the yarn in front of the work. Knit and purl alternated create ribbing (the stretchy edges of cuffs and collars);
• Garter stitch: the easiest of all — every stitch knitted, on every row. It doesn't curl, looks good on both sides and is the perfect stitch for your first scarf;
• Stockinette stitch: one row all knit and one row all purl, alternated. It gives the classic smooth "V" surface.

Your first project: a knitted scarf

The best way to learn is by doing. And the perfect first project is a garter stitch scarf: straight, repetitive, no increases or decreases. Cast on about thirty stitches, knit every row and keep going to the length you like. In a couple of evenings your first piece is done.

Want more ideas for a first project? See our easy knitted scarf. And before buying the yarn, check how much yarn you need for a knit: it saves you from running short or buying too much.

Frequently asked questions

Knitting is an ancient craft, but also incredibly relaxing and rewarding. Whether you want a hobby to unwind, a way to make unique gifts or the start of a small passion, needles offer endless possibilities. With a little patience and practice, knitting soon becomes second nature. Good luck — and enjoy your first ball of yarn!

Rosaria Tessiland®