Learn to knit

Learn how to knit with our hundreds of easy to follow tutorial videos!

Categories
Videos: 24
6:10
Beginner knitter

This video show you everything from cast on, knit your stitches back and forth, and to end your piece with bind off. Mastering these techniques is the start of many exciting projects as your first dish cloth, potholder or headband... When knitting all sts on every row, it's called garter stitch. The fabric looks the same on both sides, perfect for scarfs !
2:40
Cast on - continental method

There are different methods to cast on. This one is the most common that gives a firm but still elastic edge. It’s called the continental method. The cast on should be firm but not too hard. If you feel it becomes too tight you can use larger needles or cast on around two needles and then pull one needle out afterwards. Remember to use the correct needles when starting your knitting.
1:16
Cast on - with loops

This is a simple cast on alternative that is easy for beginners. This is also how we cast on new sts at the side of the work e.g. when we are knitting a front piece and sleeves in one, and cast on new sts each side for the sleeves.
1:07
Knit (K) - continental

Time to knit: we start by learning how to knit stitches. We are knitting using the continental method.
1:07
Knit (K) - US/UK method

Time to knit: we start by learning how to knit stitches. We are knitting using the US / UK method. This means we are holding the yarn in our right hand and wrap it around the needle with our right hand...
2:04
Purl (P) - Norwegian method

This is an old traditional and also common way to purl in Norway, also used in other Scandinavian countries.
1:49
Purl (P) - continental

The opposite of the knit stitch is a purl stitch. If you knit all rows back and forth you will get what’s called garter stitch, if you alternate between one row with knitted stitches and one row of purled stitches you will get what’s called stockinette stitch. The method of making purl stitches that we are showing here is the continental method.
2:13
Purl (P) - US/UK method

The English method of purl stitches creates exactly the same stitch, but doing this you hold the working yarn in your right hand. Lay the yarn around the needle with your right hand.
2:29
Stockinette/stocking stitch

Stockinette is the most common technique to create an even surface on the outside of your garment. Working back and forth on the needles as we do in the video, you knit all sts on all rows from right side. On the wrong side rows you purl all stitches. When working in the round on circular needles or sock needles, you knit all sts on every round.
2:19
Circular needle - around in stockinette

Cast on, join and work stockinette in the round on a circular needle. Make sure 1st row not gets twisted, knit all sts around and around.
2:08
Circular needle - back and forth in stockinette

Cast on, turn around and work stockinette back and forth on a circular needle. First row = WS. For stockinette *P 1 row, K 1 row*, repeat *-*.
1:49
Garter stitch

When working garter stitch back and forth on needle you knit the stitches on every row. This is what we are showing in this video, using the continental method of knit stitches. When working garter in the round on a circular needle or sock needles you will have to knit one round, then purl one round, and then repeat these two rounds alternating. Note! When working in garter st your gauge i.e number of rows in height, will increase compared to working in stockinette.
1:58
Circular needle - around in garter st

This is how you work garter stitch in the round on a circular needle. Purl one round, knit one round, purl one round and then knit one... repeat this for garter.
2:05
Increase – with yo (yarn over)

This is an increase that creates a decorative hole. In the video we show 2 times how you increase 1 stitch by making a yarn over (yo) Halfway through the video we have turned the work and show you how to work the yo in front or back loop depending if you prefer a larger or smaller hole. When working the back loop the stitch becomes twisted and this way the hole becomes a bit smaller.
1:17
Decrease - SKP

Sometimes you want to make a piece smaller and this is made by knitting stitches together – it’s called to decrease (dec). Most commonly the decreases are made on rows from right side (RS), but sometimes it’s also necessary to decrease on wrong side rows, e.g. when you are to decrease on every row. In this video we decrease 1 stitch from RS: slip on stitch over on right needle, knit 1 stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch.
1:46
Bind/cast off from RS

You bind off to lock stitches that no longer will be worked to stop them from running. You also bind off stitches to shape arm holes, neck and shoulders. The bind off should neither be too firm or too hard, e.g. you need to be able to get the sweater over your head. To prevent binding off to firm you can use a larger needle then what you have used during your knitting. Binding off with knit stitches, you knit the stitches and then keep passing the next to last knitted stitch over the last knitted stitch. When 1 stitch remains, cut the thread, and pull yarn through last stitch.
1:32
Color change

This is how you change from one yarn or color to another when knitting in stockinette. The threads ends are fasten vertical in the edge sts afterward.
1:19
Twisted stitch (K)

When you shall knit 1 stitch twisted, then you knit the stitch in the back loop (instead of in the front loop as usually).
0:59
Twisted stitch (P)

When you shall purl 1 stitch twisted, then you purl the stitch in the back loop (instead of in the front loop as usually).
3:06
Ribbing K1,P1

Working in rib gives an elastic piece that is great for cuffs and edges. It’s important that all knitted stitches comes above knitted stitches, and all purled stitches come above the purled stitches. In the video we are knitting 1 and purling 1 (K1, P1). 1st row (RS): K1, P1, continue like this until end of row, turn. 2nd row (WS): P1 above P1, K1 above K1. Continue like this until end of row, turn. Repeat 1st and 2nd row until rib has desired measure in height.
3:34
Edge stitches in garter

When knitting a piece you have 1 stitch in each side of your work that is an edge stitch. The edge stitch are usually not included in the pattern, and there are different ways to work the edge stitches. This depends on what kind of edge it is, if it will be sewn later like a side seam, if it will be open like on a scarf or a front edge of a jacket. Edge sts in garter st - this is good when you want a nice firm edge on a piece that you later will sew inside or pick up sts from. Knit the edge sts on every row, and you will have your edge sts in garter st.
1:55
Edge stitches in stockinette

When knitting a piece you have 1 stitch in each side of your work that is an edge stitch. The edge stitch are usually not included in the pattern, and there are different ways to work the edge stitches. This depends on what kind of edge it is, if it will be sewn later like a side seam, if it will be open like on a scarf or a front edge of a jacket. Edge sts in stockinette - this is great when you are working a piece in stockinette and using a heavier yarn. Then you don't want a thick side seam, and you want to be able to sew in the outer stitch edge. Knit the edge sts on rows from RS, and purl the edge sts on rows from WS.
3:03
Edge stitches in slip st, chain edge

When knitting a piece you have 1 stitch in each side of your work that is an edge stitch. The edge stitch are usually not included in the pattern, and there are different ways to work the edge stitches. This depends on what kind of edge it is, if it will be sewn later like a side seam, if it will be open like on a scarf or a front edge of a jacket. Slip st edge / chain edge - this is great when you want a nice and decorative edge, like on a scarf or a front edge on a jacket. To get this nice looking twisted slip st along the edge, on every row you slip the 1st stitch as if you would knit it, and you purl the last st on every row.
8:55
Start knitting from the center and out

Several of our most popular patterns (example 146-2, 148-1, 126-1, 150-11) starts in the center of the piece with a few stitches and double pointed needles. It's a bit tricky to get started but gets easier and easier as you increase. Make sure to use markers to show where the increases are made. Keep increasing and work your way out. As the piece grows you continue with a longer and longer circular needle to fit all stitches. In this DROPS Video we show an example from pattern 146-2 on how to do so. REMEMBER - you will also need to read the pattern to be able to follow. To see a pattern with this technique, go to: DROPS 146-2