How to Knit Basic Stitches

These knitting stitches are ideal for beginners. Practice these stitches first with a ball of inexpensive yarn and a pair of knitting needles. Before you know it, you'll be ready to take on knitting a scarf or sweater.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crochet Hooks
• Knitting Baskets Or Tote
• Knitting Needles
• Measuring Tapes
• Row Counter
• Tapestry Needles
• Yarns
• Scissors
• Scissors

1. Practice the knit and purl stitches as explained in "Do the Knit Stitch" and "Purl," under Related eHows. The basic stitch instructions that follow use one or both of these stitches.

2. 

   Produce a garter stitch by knitting every stitch of every row until the desired number of rows has been completed. This is a simple stitch to accomplish and is used in many knitting patterns. It will give your knitted piece a very textured surface.

3. Use the garter stitch for items such as sweaters, scarves, blankets and afghans.

4. 

   Produce a stockinette stitch by first knitting one row. Purl the second row. Knit the third row. Purl the fourth row.

5. 

   Alternate rows in this manner until the desired number of rows has been completed. This stitch will produce a knitted piece that is smooth on one side and very textured on the other.

6. Use both the garter and stockinette stitches for items such as scarves, blankets, afghans and sweaters. The stockinette stitch is also used to knit gloves and socks.

7. 

   Produce a seed stitch by first alternating knit and purl stitches on one row. On the second row, knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches. Repeat until the desired number of rows has been completed. This stitch produces a very textured surface.

8. Use a seed stitch for items such as blankets and sweaters or wherever a very textured surface is desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice knitting with size 7 knitting needles or larger if you are a beginner. Larger-size needles are easier to manipulate.
• Knit in a position that will allow your shoulders, arms and hands to be relaxed as you are working. This will help you keep your stitches even.

[Texassolarcook]

on 10/8/2008 Umm - Knitting a knit and purling a purl produces ribbing. Seed stitching is created by knitting a purl and purling a knit.