How to Do the Knit Stitch

The knit stitch is a fundamental of knitting. This stitch produces a knitted fabric face consisting of a series of flat, vertical loops. It's one of the easiest stitches to learn.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knitting Needle Point Protectors
• Knitting Patterns
• Knitting Stitch Holders
• Knitting Stitch Markers
• Crochet Hooks
• Knitting Baskets Or Tote
• Knitting Needles
• Measuring Tapes
• Row Counter
• Yarn Needles
• Yarns
• Scissors
• Scissors

1. Cast on the number of stitches as required in your knitting pattern. See "How to Cast On in Knitting" (under Related eHows) for instructions.

2. 

   Hold the knitting needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right. Use the thumb, forefinger and middle fingers of each hand to hold and manipulate needles.

3. 

   Drape yarn from the knitting needle end over your right forefinger, under your middle and ring fingers, and over your pinky. This positioning of the yarn strand will allow you to manipulate the yarn with your right hand. Keep the yarn behind the right needle.

4. 

   Insert the right knitting needle tip from front to back into the first stitch on the left needle. The right needle should be under the left needle and the yarn held to the back.

5. 

   Use your right forefinger to bring the yarn under and over the right needle and position it between the two needles.

6. 

   Catch the yarn strand with the right knitting needle and pull it down through the same first stitch.

7. 

   Slip the cast-on stitch off of the left knitting needle, leaving the new stitch on the right.

8. Continue until all the new stitches are on the right knitting needle and none are remaining on the left.

9. Place the needle holding the new stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand. Repeat steps 3 to 8 until the desired number of rows has been formed.

Tips & Warnings

• Hold the needles in any way that's comfortable for you and that will promote even stitches. Beginners will need to experiment with hand-needle positioning.
• See the Related eHow "Knit Continental Style" if holding yarn in your right hand is uncomfortable for you. This method allows you to control the yarn with your left hand.
• Keep your cast-on row of stitches close to the tip of the needle, but not so close that stitches will slip off the end.
• Experiment with hand-yarn positions to find the one that works best for you.
• Rest the left knitting needle in the crook of your arm if necessary.

[katarena2838]

on 11/18/2009 I always seem to get a big stitch when I begin a new
row. Am I doing something wrong? If so, how can I avoid
this. Kay from Milwaukee

on 6/30/2006 Cast on the stitches for one sock on the needle, then with separate skein of same yarn, cast on the same number of stitches for the second sock. Work socks at the same time with their separate yarn supplies. They may be easier using two circular needles rather than straight needles.

on 3/6/2006 When you do two socks at the same time, copy your pattern and put each sock in a separate ziplock bag with the pattern. You can mark each pattern separately as to where you are on each sock and it's less confusing.