Getting started with knitting

Eight techniques in the order you need them. Once you have been through them, you can knit your first dishcloth.

Choose needles and yarn▶ Video

Start with smooth, light-coloured yarn and wooden or bamboo needles. You can see the stitches, and they don't slide off.
See how
Hold the yarn

Yarn in your left hand or your right. Pick the one that feels least awkward, and stick with it.
See how
Cast on▶ Video

The first thing you do on every garment. This cast-on has give, so the edge doesn't pull tight.
See how
Knit▶ Video

The knit stitch is the one you need first. Purl and knit through the back loop are on the same page when you're ready.
See how
Knit garter stitch▶ Video

Knit every row, back and forth. That is the whole pattern in your first dishcloth.
See how
Count ridges▶ Video

One ridge is two rows. Count them instead of measuring, and the dishcloth comes out square.
See how
Bind off▶ Video

Close the stitches, so the knitting doesn't unravel when it comes off the needle.
See how
Weave in the ends▶ Video

Sew the ends into the knitting, so they don't show and don't come loose in the wash.
See how

Your first pattern

Pure is the dishcloth a friend gave me, and the only one I have knitted since. Cotton, garter stitch and four steps. Everything you need is in the list above.

See the Pure pattern