How to Begin the First Stitch in Knitting

Knitting can be tough, especially if you are not familiar with the basic knitting patterns and stitches. Once you become familiar with a stitch pattern, knitting will become an effortless task. Be patient at first and don't be discouraged if your first knitting project does not look its best; remember practice makes perfect.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Yarn
• Scissors
• 2 knitting needles

1. Learn to Cast on. Before beginning the first stitch, tie a knot on the needle using the yarn.
2. Open the loop. Keep the needle that has the stitches on it in your left hand and the empty needle in the right hand. The yarn should face the back of the two needles.
3. Put the right hand needle from front to back into the first stitch on the left hand needle.
4. Move the working yarn under and than over the point on the right hand needle.
5. Make a loop through and than slide the first stitch off the left hand needle, while the new stitch remains on the right hand needle.
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 to the end of the roll you are knitting on.
7. Turn the knitting around when beginning to knit the next roll. The worked stitches will be on the left hand needle.

Tips & Warnings

• When knitting, make sure the finished stitches are facing towards you.
• Knit through the single loop, and not the loops that look bumpy.
• Do not loop the yarn around both needles.
• Do not pull the stitches too tight.