Learn to knit: beginner's guide to knitting
More and more people are taking up knitting as a hobby which should surprise no experienced knitter! Knitting is a lovely and relaxing craft, often associated with both pleasure and peace of mind. Creating your own knitted wonders is just so satisfying. On this page we've put together a good mix of tips and tricks, suggestions for knitting must-haves and beginner-friendly patterns to get you started. Start your knitting adventure today!
- Knitting needles overview
- Yarns in all colours
- Knitting musthaves for beginners
- Other knitting equipment
- Beginner-friendly knitting patterns
- Get started - knitting video guides
1. Knitting needles overview
When selecting your knitting needles, look at the following specifications: Type, length, thickness and material. In terms of types, there are four main categories:
- Double pointed needles: short double pointed needles are often used for knitting socks, using 3-5 needles. They can also be used for projects where you are knitting in the round, for example sleeves.
- Single pointed needles: the classic and most "common" knitting needle. One end is pointed, while there is a dowel/knot at the other end. Single pointed needles are mainly used for knitting back and forth.
- Circular needles: consist of two classic knitting needles connected by a thread/wire. The circular needles are used when you want to knit in the round, for example sweaters or socks. The advantage of circular needles is that you can better control your knitting as the work is gathered on the wire. There are also interchangeable circular needles, which allow you to change the length of the needles and the wire as needed.
- Cable stitch needles: used for more detailed projects and are therefore intended for more experienced knitters. The auxiliary needles are special knitting needles that are indispensable when knitting cables, as the needles hold the stitches which are to be cabled either in front or behind the project.
Knitting needle tip 1: The thicker your knitting needles are, the more airy and loose your finished knitting result will be. Narrower knitting needles create a denser design.
Knitting needle tip 2: As a beginner, it's a good idea to choose wooden or bamboo knitting needles. First of all, these are hard-wearing materials, while the stitches won't slip off the needles easily as they have a rougher surface. When knitting with smooth surfaces - for example metal, plastic and aluminium - the stitches move more, which gives great flexibility, but can be a challenge for beginners.
2. Yarns in all colours
Yarn comes in all sorts of wonderful colours, shapes and brands. Your choice of yarn will influence which needles you should knit with and how your finished project will turn out. As a beginner, cotton yarn is a great place to start as it's comfortable to work with and has a soft texture. The yarn can also easily be used for different projects, giving it great versatility. Under the different yarns, such as Infinity Hearts Rose, we have listed recommended patterns that can be used as inspiration for your next project. Below, we have collected a selection of our yarns. You can see our full range right here.
3. Knitting Musthaves for Beginners
Like other hobbies, the equipment essentials for knitting can be difficult to figure out since there are many tools to choose from. If you want to get started with knitting but can't quite figure out what to choose amidst the vast selection, here's a helping hand. We've put together a starter kit with the essentials to get you knitting.
Infinity Hearts Circular Needle Set Bamboo Natural/Print 60cm...
KnitPro Zing 6 set of Double Pointed Knitting Needles...
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- Knitting needles: Knitting needles are a real must, and we definitely recommend circular needles, even if you don't knit in the round. With circular needles, the knitting is gathered, so you don't have to spend effort lifting the whole piece every time you knit a stitch. Due to this, circular needles are easier on your wrists and shoulders while you knit.
- Double pointed needles: You also get a double pointed needle set with 15 sizes, where all the needles are 20 cm long. The double pointed needles are ideal for socks, but can also be used for sleeve knitting, baby and children's knitting, and small projects such as potholders.
Infinity Hearts Plastic Yarn Needles 7cm Assorted colours - 2 pcs
Infinity Hearts Embroidery Scissors Stork Gold 9.3cm - 1 pcs
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Infinity Hearts Stitch Stoppers for Knitting Needles 2 and...
Then there are all the clever little things that make it easier to achieve a nice knitting result:
- The measuring tape: so you're always sure how far you've come as well as how big your project is.
- Wool needles: So you can fasten your yarn ends and assemble your work.
- Embroidery scissors: So you can easily snip, snap and cut off the loose ends.
- Stitch markers: These colourful markers are great for marking the sides and/or sleeves of your knitting, including making it easier to keep track of the number of stitches. They can also be used as a measurement marker on the piece itself. For example, if you've measured that you're 10 cm short before you need to do something, you can put a marker in the knitting needle you've just knitted and measure from that instead of the bottom of the whole piece.
Infinity Hearts Knitting Needle Measure Sheep 2-10mm (0-15 US)
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- Stitch stoppers: great for putting on the needle tips during knitting breaks to keep stitches from slipping off the needles. They can also be used on double pointed needles as end stoppers if you knit back and forth on them.
- Row counter: Makes it easy to keep track of pattern knitting so you know how far you've gotten in the chart as well as the number of rounds you've reached.
- Needle measurer: as knitting needles are used, the needle size can become worn and therefore hard to see. With the needle gauge, you'll never be in doubt that you're holding the correct knitting needles.
4. Other knitting equipment
The knitting kit is a great starting point for your knitting adventure. If you really want a deluxe starter kit, the following accessories and tools may also be worth acquiring:
- Knitting bag: A knitting bag might sound a bit superfluous, but it's nice to have a good place to store your knitting. A storage solution that can be closed to protect your work from dust and make it easy to take your knitting with you on the go.
- Fabric pouch: A small pouch makes it easy to keep track of all your loose items like scissors, needles, stitch markers etc. It prevents mess in the yarn bag while keeping things from getting tangled in the yarn.
- Yarn Bowl: A yarn bowl is great for keeping track of your current yarn skein, so it doesn't tumble around on the couch or disappear onto the floor and under various pieces of furniture.
- Wool wash: To get your finished result right, wool wash can be a golden tool for this. Simply place your home-made knitwear in a tub with a little wool soap, make sure the water has soaked into every fibre, give it a good turn, wring the piece out lightly and lay it flat to dry, and you're guaranteed a great end result.
Nice to Have
- Moth balls: a small cedar wood ball to put in your knitting bag or in between the knitting pile in your closet, protects your knit and yarn from unwanted moths, moth bites and holes.
- Cup: No knitting process is complete without a nice cup of coffee or tea on the table. That's why you should keep track of your knitting mug for your favourite beverage.
In general, there are plenty of clever accessories that help liven up the knitting needles as well as make the whole knitting process easier. Here we have gathered some of our nice to have knitting tools ⤵
KnitPro Amour Stitch Markers for Magnetic Knitters Necklace...
5. Beginner Friendly Knitting Patterns
Where to start? As a curious beginner, it can be hard to know which knitting projects are good to take on. That's why we've gathered some beginner-friendly knitting patterns that you can try right away. The patterns explain the materials, technical abbreviations and the method, so you're guided through the process from start to finish.
Cake Crop by Rito Krea - Top Knitting Pattern size S-XL
Sky Set by Rito Krea - Hat and Cowl Knitting Pattern Onesize
Classy Headband by Rito Krea - Knitting Pattern: Headband,...
If you'd like to get started on a beautiful and, not least, beginner-friendly knitting project, we have a free pattern for this wonderful Pull-Over Vest. The knitting pattern has been developed specifically for our 'Learn to knit' guide and is thus intended for beginners. It's the ultimate starter pattern:
6. Get Started - Knitting Video Guides
There are different techniques when it comes to knitting. However, you don't need to master them all to get off to a good start. The most important thing is to practice. Below we've put together a range of clever videos to guide you through some of the most important knitting techniques. Then it's time to pick up the knitting needles:
How to cast on knitting
In this video, we show you the most common technique for casting on stitches and starting your knitting.
How to knit and purl stitches
In the two videos, we show you how to knit and purl stitches, also called right and wrong stitches, and what they look like in practice.
How to cast off knitting
In the video, we show you how to cast off your knitting and finish your knitting. The technique can also be used to cast off stitches along the way.
How to make decreases in knitting
In the video, we show you how to make decreases. Doing decreases will make your knitting smaller as you will have fewer stitches on the needles. For example, you can use decreases to give your project a certain shape or pattern.
How to make increases in knitting
In the video, we show you how to make increases. When you make increases, you methodically make your knitting wider. It is used, for example, to make certain patterns and shapes.
How to knit garter stitch
In the video, we show you how to knit garter stitch, which is one of the most common knitting techniques. It is especially good to start your knitting adventure with.
How to knit stocking stitch
In the video, we show you what stockinette knitting is and how to knit it. The technique gives you a beautiful, knitted piece with a smooth front.
🧶Happy knitting! 🧶
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