Knitting · First steps · 15 minutes (shopping)

Choose Yarn and Needles

The right yarn and needles make learning much easier. A medium-thick, smooth, light-colored yarn shows every stitch clearly. Medium-size needles are easy to hold and not too slow.

You'll need

1 ball of smooth, light-colored medium (#4, worsted) yarn, wool or acrylic
1 pair of straight needles, US 8 (5 mm), about 10 inches long
Blunt tapestry (yarn) needle
Small scissors

Step by step

Tick each step as you go if you like; ticks stay on this device.

Look for the number 4Find a yarn labeled medium, worsted, or with a number 4 symbol. This weight is not too thin and not too thick.
Pick a light, smooth yarnChoose a light color with a smooth, plain twist. Fuzzy, bumpy, or very dark yarns hide the stitches.
Choose wool, acrylic, or cottonWool and acrylic are springy and forgiving for practice. Cotton is great for dishcloths but stretches less.
Read the labelCheck the suggested needle size, the yardage, and the dye lot. If you need more than one ball, buy them all with the same dye lot.
Get US 8 (5 mm) needlesA pair of US 8 needles matches worsted yarn well. Shorter 10-inch needles are easier to manage than 14-inch ones.
Pick a needle materialWood or bamboo needles hold stitches a little better. Metal needles are slick and fast.

Tips

4-H beginner guides suggest worsted yarn with US 8 to 10 needles.
Keep the yarn label. It tells you how to wash your finished piece.

Sources

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