November 11, 2025
Knitting is the process of creating fabric by interlooping yarn to form a series of interconnected loops.
History of knitting
Knitting is thought to be from an ancient craft of “nalbinding,” the Norwegian word for “needle binding.” Items of this type of fabric making are believed to date back as far as 4200 BCE.
The exact origins of knitting is unknown. The earliest examples are cotton socks dating back to the eleventh century.
Knitting is created by using two needles to hold stitches. Knit fabric is often flexible and the stitches form a shape similar to a “V.”
Getting started
The basic tools are knitting needles and yarn. Once you learn the basic stitches, you can build on that to make all kinds of items. From a simple scarf, to a sweater, potholders to stuffed animals, there are so many possibilities.
Your dominant hand matters
I am left handed, so learning to knit from someone right handed is more difficult. Right handed knitters knit the opposite of left handed knitters.
Learning the stitches
Once you learn the basic stitches, you can learn how to read a pattern. In knitting, the patterns have abbreviations in the instructions. There will be a guide like this one to tell you what each abbreviation stands for.
Knitting needle sizes
Knitting needles come in different sizes. The size is a number. The higher the number, the larger the needles.
Circular and double point needles
There are circular needles for knitting in the round, as well as, double end needles (points on both ends) which are also used to knit in the round for projects like mittens, socks and sweaters.
Gauge
Everyone knits at a different tension. Meaning that I may knit so my yarn loops are tighter or looser than yours. This becomes important when making some projects so that they turn out the right size. The gauge is how many stitches and rows per inch. This is especially important when making clothes. The pattern will ask you to knit a small swatch to check your gauge against the pattern.
The basic process of knitting
- Casting on- This is where you begin. Yarn loops are created on one of the two needles to start the project.
- Knit stitch and purl stitch- Almost all patterns are created with these two stitches.
- Casting off- (Binding off) When your project is completed, the last stitches secure your work so it doesn’t unravel. Now your work can be removed from the needles
How to learn to knit
You can learn to knit from a friend. Take classes at a yarn shop or a Community Education class. YouTube is another great way to learn. I use YouTube when I can’t remember how to do a stitch and need a refresher. I search for tutorials for left handers.
Yarn
Yarn comes in a great variety of colors, patterns, thicknesses and weights. Your knitting pattern will tell you what type of yarn to use, how much you will need (generally in yards), as well as, what size needles.
A great hobby
Knitting is a great hobby! The repetitive motion can be relaxing and help reduce stress. You can create personal items for yourself or to gift to others.
Happy knitting! Kelly