How to Begin the First Stitch in Knitting

The instructions below will teach you how to begin the first stitch in knitting. With these basics, you can make a scarf, hat, pillow, bag or any number of projects. Have fun!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Worsted-weight yarn, any color or colors
• Size 8, 14"-long knitting needles
• Yarn needle with big eye
• Small scissors

1. Step 1: First stitch Make a slip knot on the shaft of one needle. This counts as your first stitch.
2. Step 2 Place this needle in your left hand. Hold the other needle in your right hand to control the yarn. Insert the point of the right needle, from front to back, into the slip knot and under the left needle.
3. Step 3 Hold the left needle still in your left hand, and move your left fingers over to brace the right needle.
4. Step 4 With your right index finger, pick up the yarn from the ball.
5. Step 5 Release your right hand’s grip on the needle, and use your index finger to bring the yarn under and over the point of the right needle.
6. Step 6 Return your right fingers to the right needle, and draw the yarn through the stitch with the point of the right needle.
7. Step 7 Slide the point of the left needle into the back of your new stitch, then remove the right needle.
8. Step 8 Pull the ball of yarn gently to make the stitch fit snuggly on the needle. You have now made one stitch (called "casting on"), and there are two stitches on the left needle (the slip knot is counted as a stitch).
9. Insert the point of the right needle, from front to back, into the stitch you just made, and under the left needle. Repeat Steps 5 through 9, 26 more times, until you have 28 stitches on the left needle. This completes the cast-on row, which is the way all knitting is begun. Congrats!

Tips & Warnings

• National chains such as Wal-Mart, craft and fabric chains such as Michaels Arts & Crafts, Jo-Ann Stores, A.C. Moore and Hobby Lobby, regional chains such as Ames Department Stores and local yarn, needlework and craft shops offer a wide range of yarns and frequently offer classes.
• Yarns also are sold via mail order and the Internet. To locate these yarn resources, search on key words--knit, crochet, yarn--and you’ll discover thousands of interesting links.
• Classes also are offered in adult-education programs, libraries, Y's, recreation centers, design schools, etc. Learning to crochet or knit in a class environment is fun.