Top 10 Tips for New Knitters
Now you’ve discovered the addictive qualities of knitting, and will soon become obsessed, here are my top 10 tips for making sure your new hobby brings you joy.
1. Start with the Basics: Knit and Purl
The two most essential stitches in knitting are the knit (k) and purl (p) stitches. Focus on mastering these two. Once you’ve got the hang of them, you'll be able to make a ton of different projects. Don’t rush or lose heart if it takes a while to get the hang of them. Take your time with the basics, and once you’re comfortable, you’ll be surprised how quickly your skills build.
2. Choose the Right Yarn and Needles
As a new knitter, keep it simple. A medium-weight acrylic yarn (like Aran or Worsted weight) and a pair of straight, plastic 8-9mm needles are perfect to start with. Using thicker yarn and needles makes it easier to see stitches and work with them.Projects on bigger needles also give you more visible progress, which is great for motivation! Using plastic needles are great in the beginning as the yarn is less likely to slip off them Don’t buy expensive wool as it will get mauled while you learn!
3. Practice Makes Perfect
Yes, yes I know it sounds corny, but it's true! Knitting is a real skill & is all about practice. It’s not a “cute little hobby” that requires no brain power. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as they happen to all of us…..regularly. Mistakes help you learn and mean you’re making progress. If you need to frog (technical term meaning rip out and start again!) a project, that’s totally fine!
4. Don’t Worry Too Much About Tension at First
One of the hardest things for people at the beginning of their knitting obsession is keeping your stitches even, as it’s key for making your projects look neat and professional. However, it takes a bit of practice and isn’t important AT FIRST. Just practise your knit & purl stitches without fear. You’re first project will be wonky & that’s exactly as it should be! When you get them down and want to focus on tension, try not to make your stitches too tight, as this can make it harder to move your needles. On the flip side, don’t let them get too loose.
5. Use a Stitch Marker
You’ll thank me later for this one! Stitch markers help you keep track of your pattern repeats, where you started a row, or if you’ve made any mistakes along the way. It’s a small tool that makes a BIG difference when you’re just getting started.You can pick up cheap plastic ones before investing in fancy ones.
6. Learn How to Cast On and Bind Off
You’ll need to know how to start (cast on) and finish (cast off or bind off) a project. There are a few different methods for both, but start with the basics and practice until you feel comfortable. YouTube is full of awesome tutorials if you need extra guidance—just remember to breathe and take it slow.
7. Work on Small Projects First
As tempting as it is to start that huge cozy blanket or intricate jumper you’ve seen online,it may not be the best thing to start with. Start with small projects like scarves, dishcloths, or even a simple hat. These are great for beginners, and you’ll get to see your progress quickly, which will make you proud. Taking on an intricate pattern as a first project may leave you deflated if you can’t understand it just yet.
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you get stuck, there’s no shame in asking for help. Knitting communities (online or in-person) are full of friendly people who are happy to guide you through tricky moments. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, we’ve all been there and you never know, other people may also be struggling with the same thing!
9: Don’t Let Anyone Tell You You’re Holding Your Yarn Wrong!
This is a big problem & I see it a lot. When you first start, play around with different ways of holding the yarn until you find the right one for you. My technique regularly gets weird looks but it works for me! Have a look on YouTube and try a few different ways. Remember......there is NO WRONG WAY!
10. Enjoy the Process, Not Just the End Result
This is one of the most important things in knitting: You need to enjoy the act of creating an object. Appreciate progress you make on each knitting journey, not just the destination! Knitting is a meditative, calming, relaxing hobby.