Learning how to knit may seem daunting at first, but once you know the basics, it opens up a world of possibilities. With YouTube and Google on your side, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. Here are some simple projects to take on this winter!
- Scarf
Skills to know: cast on, knit stitch, binding off
Materials: straight knitting needles, yarn
The ultimate beginner’s project. There are so many ways to make a scarf, but the simplest way is to use the knit stitch all the way through.
Cast on enough stitches, so the width measures five to eight inches. Knit until the desired length, usually about 50 inches long. Bind off.
- Fingerless Mittens
Skills to know: cast on, knit stitch, binding off
Materials: straight knitting needles, yarn, large-eye sewing needle
This a quick project if you’re crunched for time!
Measure from your wrist to your knuckles- this is the length. Measure the widest part of your hand- this is your width.
Double your width and cast on enough stitches to measure as such. Knit until you obtain the length you measured. Bind off and leave a bit of a tail. At this point, you should have a rectangle.
Now we are going to make a hole for your thumb. Fold over the rectangle so that the length remains the same. You can eyeball where your thumb is and mark it on the edge of the project. Using a large-eye sewing needle, sew the edges together, avoiding the thumb hole. To make this easier, you can wear the mitten on your non-dominant hand and sew with your dominant hand.
Repeat the process for a second mitten.
- Hat
Skills to know: cast on, join in the round, knit stitch, purl stitch
Materials: yarn, circular knitting needles, large-eye sewing needle
This is the first hat I learned to knit, and the first project I performed in the round. 10/10, makes a great hat.
Cast on enough stitches to measure about 23 inches or until it fits your head. Make sure you cast on an even number of stitches. Join in the round and place a marker so you know where your starting point is. For the first six rows, knit 1 and purl 1. This is a single rib stitch.
Now you’re just gonna knit until your desired length. For an adult, this is about eight to nine inches long.
Once you have achieved this length, don’t bind off! Cut off a tail of about 24 inches. Using your needle, feed the tail through your stitches, and pull. All your stitches should come together at a single point. Don’t pull too hard, or you’ll break the yarn!
To ensure the hat doesn’t fall apart, enforce your stitches by weaving the tail around the point. Turn the hat inside out and repeat weaving until you’re satisfied.
- Twisted Headband
Skills to know: cast on, knit stitch, purl stitch, binding off
Materials: straight knitting needles, yarn, large-eye sewing needle
To knit this particular headband, we are going to use the moss stitch! Also known as the seed stitch, the moss stitch is perfect for something like a headband.
Cast on enough stitches to measure about three inches, give or take, depending on your preference. Be sure to cast an even number of stitches.
For rows 1 and 2, knit 1 and purl 1.
For rows 3 and 4, purl 1 and knit 1.
Now, just repeat rows 1-4 until you achieve the desired length, about 23 inches for an adult head. Cast off and leave a tail of about 12 inches.
For the twisty part, lay your project down and hold the two opposing short ends. Fold the ends (not the whole length) and hug them together, so they fit. There should be four edges, all vertically lined up. With the large-eye sewing needle, sew the edges together and turn the headband inside out.
Stay warm!