Knitting has many benefits. It brings peace, reduces stress and anxiety, and also improves manual dexterity and concentration. Furthermore, handmade accessories and clothing boost self-confidence and give a sense of empowerment. Knitting can be successfully started at ages 6 or 7, but remember, it's never too late! You can begin your knitting adventure at any age. We invite you to read our guide to learn how to knit.
What do you need to start knitting?
To get started, you'll need basic supplies like knitting needles and a needle, as well as appropriate yarn. We recommend starting with a Bulky size yarn, which will help you complete your project faster (a heavier gauge means fewer rows). The yarn and accessories we recommend for beginners include:
– a skein of thick yarn (e.g. FINE HIGHLAND WOOL ),
– wires – for thick yarn we recommend 9mm needles with a 60cm long line
– knitting needle (for sewing knitwear),
– additionally for knitting we recommend preparing scissors and a long ruler (approx. 50 cm) or a tape measure.
Preparation and knitting basics.
In our guide, we'll demonstrate basic knitting techniques using a headband approximately 11cm tall as an example. To make a headband, first cast on stitches. Then, working in rows and using the French stitch, you'll create a rectangle. Finally, sew the short sides of the rectangle together to create the headband. Follow our step-by-step instructions or watch our video.
CASTING ON STITCHES
Pull about 50 cm of yarn from the ball and cast on 10 stitches. Place the yarn on the thumb and index finger of your left hand (1). The loose end should be on the thumb side, and the yarn from the ball on the index finger side. With the remaining three fingers, grasp both strands and gently tighten (2). Don't tighten the strands too tightly, as they can slip freely out of your hand as you cast on more stitches.
Take the needle in your right hand and slide it under the yarn between your thumb and index finger (3). Use your right thumb to hold the yarn on the needle (4).
Holding the yarn with your right thumb, hook the needle onto the thread below your left thumb, from bottom to top (5). Hook the needle onto the thread on your index finger, from right to left (6).
Pull the yarn between the strands surrounding your left thumb, from right to left (7). Slide the strands off your thumb (8).
Gently tighten the yarn on the needle (9). You have cast on the first two stitches (10).
Then repeat steps 5 through 9 to cast on the next stitch, continuing to cast on stitches one at a time (11). Repeat the cast-on until you have 10 stitches on your needles (12). If you don't have enough yarn from the loose end to cast on 10 stitches, start over. Slip the stitches off the needle and unravel them. Make sure you leave a loose tail of about 50 cm, which will allow you to cast on 10 stitches.
Next, you'll work in the French stitch, meaning the stitches in each row will be knitted. The French stitch looks the same on both sides of the fabric. Place the needle with the stitches in your left hand, and take the other, free needle in your right hand. Place the yarn from the ball on your left index finger, so it's comfortable. Don't tighten the needles and yarn too much, as this will cause your hands to ache and allow the yarn to slide freely across your finger.
EDGE EYE
The first stitch in each row will be an edge stitch. Hold the yarn in front of your work (in front of the left-hand needle) and slip the first stitch onto the right-hand needle without working it. Place the needle with the stitches in your left hand. Place the yarn from the ball on your index finger. Place the yarn in front of your work (1). Slip the first stitch without working it: insert the right-hand needle into the first stitch from right to left (2). Slip the first stitch onto the left-hand needle. This is the edge stitch (3).
RIGHT EYES
Then place the yarn at the back of your piece (behind the left needle) and knit the remaining stitches on the left needle. Place the yarn at the back of your piece (1). Insert the right needle into the next stitch, moving from left to right (2).
Wrap the yarn around the right needle (3). Pull the yarn through the eyelet (4).
Pull the yarn out. A stitch (5) has formed on the right needle. Drop this stitch from the left needle (6).
Knit in the same way until the end of the row (7). All stitches have been worked and are on the right needle (8).
Then turn the work and place the needle with the stitches in your left hand. Work this row the same way as the previous one (9). Work in the French stitch, knitting each row (10). Work the first stitch as an edge stitch.
Work in the French stitch until the headband is about 5 cm shorter than the circumference of your head. Measure the circumference of your head above your ears using a tape measure or a piece of yarn and a ruler. If your head circumference is 50 cm, make a headband approximately 45 cm long.
DECREASE STITCHES
Turn the work and place the needle with the stitches in your left hand. Hold the free needle in your right hand. Knit all stitches together. Do not overtighten the stitches to avoid a stiff edge. Knit the first two stitches, and knit the first stitch as well, not as an edge stitch (1). Lift the first stitch with the left needle (2).
Then pass them over the second stitch and slide them off the needle (3). There is only one stitch left on the right needle (4).
Knit the next stitch so you have two stitches on the right needle again. Repeat steps 2 through 5 (5). Repeat until you have cast off all stitches and one stitch remains (6).
Pull this stitch out until the loop is about 40 cm long (7). Cut the yarn from the ball, then pull the loop to release the yarn (8).
Tighten the stitches by pulling on the yarn tail (9). The finished edge of the knit is shown in photo 10.
Knitting kits – they will help you complete your first project faster.
Once you've mastered the basics of knitting, we recommend using knitting patterns. They'll help you complete your first knitting project faster, help you choose the right accessories, and learn how much yarn you'll need. You can also use our ready-made Knit Box kit for beginners. Our kits include everything you need to start knitting: GABO wool yarn, a pattern, and knitting accessories.
