Knitting · First steps · 30-45 minutes of practice

The Knit Stitch

The knit stitch is the main stitch in knitting. These steps use the English (throwing) method, where the yarn is in your right hand. Remember: in, wrap, pull through, slide off.

You'll need

Needles with about 20 stitches cast on
Yarn

Step by step

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

Hold the needlesHold the needle with the stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right. Keep the yarn at the back.
InPush the right needle tip into the first stitch from front to back, so it sits behind the left needle.
WrapWith your right hand, wrap the yarn under and over the right needle tip, counterclockwise.
Pull throughSlide the right needle down and bring the wrapped loop through the old stitch toward you.
Slide offPush the old stitch off the left needle. The new stitch stays on the right needle.
Finish the rowRepeat across. When the left needle is empty, swap needles so the full one is in your left hand, and start the next row.

Tips

Count your stitches at the end of each row. You should have the same number you cast on.
Continental knitting is another way: hold the yarn in your left hand and scoop it with the needle tip. Some left-handed knitters find it easier. Both ways make the same stitch.
Knitting every row makes garter stitch.

If something goes wrong

Problem	Fix
Your stitches barely move on the needle.	You are pulling too tight. Relax and let the yarn flow more loosely.
You have extra stitches.	Keep the yarn at the back. If it goes over the top of the needle, it can make one stitch look like two.

See it in the old books

Pictures and lessons from sewing and knitting books published more than a hundred years ago, free at the Internet Archive.

📖 Priscilla War Work Book: 'To Knit' (shown Continental style) and 'To Purl' (1917) ↗

Sources

These are free how-to guides for families. There's nothing to earn, pass or send in.