You can knit with straight needles or circular needles. Circular needles are helpful for holding a large number of stitches, such as for a blanket, and you can also knit in the round with circular needles. [2] X Expert Source Gregory PatrickKnitting Specialist Expert Interview. 10 January 2019.

The slipknot counts as your first cast on stitch, so make sure to include it if you are counting stitches.

Grip the needle securely (but not too tightly) near the first stitch with your right index finger and thumb. Wrap your other 3 fingers loosely around the body of the needle to make it easier to control.

Remember to include the slipknot in your total cast on stitch count.

Left-handed knitters tend to learn to knit with the loaded needle in their left hand, as well, though if you prefer you can hold the loaded needle in your left hand, mirroring these steps as you go. Use the same grip as you used to cast on your stitches.

Make sure that the working yarn is hanging behind your work when you do this.

Use a row counter or a row counting app to make it easier to keep track of how many rows you have knit.

Do your best to keep the yarn at an even tension, to make all the stitches equal in size. It’ll take some practice, but that’s what this first knitting exercise is for! A knit stitch is denoted on patterns with a “K”, for example: K1, K2, K3, etc. , which mean “knit 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches,” and so on. A “garter stitch” is made by using this stitch to create every row.

Use the same grip you used to knit the previous rows.

Make sure the working yarn is behind your knitting.

This will leave you with 2 stitches on the right-hand needle again.

Purl is usually represented by a “P” in patterns followed by the number you need to purl, such as P1, P2, P3, etc. , which mean “purl 1 stitch, purl 2 stitches, purl 3 stitches,” and so on. A “stockinette stitch” is made simply by knitting 1 row then purling 1 row, alternating as you work. A “seed stitch” is made by alternative knits and purls within the same row.

If you are using a pattern, make sure to follow the instructions for increasing and decreasing carefully. These stitches are important for ensuring you get the desired results.

Brioche Stitch Garter Stitch Moss Stitch