What Every Beginner Knitter Needs To Know

I’m a self-taught knitter. Everything I know I pretty much taught myself through Google and Youtube videos. It can be a bit daunting when you’re starting out and trying to learn these sometimes difficult techniques, especially when no one’s there to really guide you through the process. There were a few things I wish I had known earlier on which would’ve made the process a bit easier for me, so I decided I would write a post about it. Here are my best beginner knitting tips.

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Dropped Stitches

One of the best beginner knitting tips I can suggest is learning how to fix a dropped stitch. This seemed to occur often when I was using my metal needles as the yarn can slide so easily, and would often just slide right off the needles.

Starting out I would often get frustrated, as I could barely complete the stitches, let alone figure out how to get them back on the needle and in the right spot. If I didn’t catch the stitch until a few rows later, I would just unravel all the work I had done up until that stitch and start again from that point. This resulted in me losing hours of work sometimes.

Eventually, I realized there had to be a better way. And there is. A crochet hook is the best tool to use for this but if you don’t have one, I’ve sometimes used just my needle and fingers to work it. It is actually relatively easy and, like I said, can save you tons of time from having to go back to where the issue originally occurred.

I’ve included a short video below of me picking up a dropped stitch, and weaving the loose yarn through the loop on the crochet hook. After that you would just return the loop on the hook to your needle, and voila- dropped stitch fixed!

Knit & Purl Visual Differences

This has to be one of the most important beginner knitting tips. Learning the difference between these two stitches. Knits and purls are pretty much the basis of knitting. Pretty much all patterns derive from variations of these two stitches so mastering them is key to being a successful knitter. Starting out I tried to find the easiest patterns to do so I could build up my skills and often times would find myself getting confused if a pattern incorporated these two stitches, especially if they were side by side. Knowing how to look at a pattern and visually spot the difference between a knit stitch and a purl stitch can be so important. Especially if you’re like me and are always having to stop and start your work. It’s easy to forget where you are and what you just finished.

Purl stitches on the left appear raised, and bumpy while knit stitches on the right appear to go in.

DPN’s As Straight Needles

Knitting needles can be expensive. Especially depending on the type of material you get. (Check my post on different types of knitting needles HERE.)

I didn’t want to buy DPN’s, circulars, and straight needles in every size but when I came across these Boye Yarn Ball Point Protectors, the game changed!

Their intended purpose is to protect the points and keep your work from sliding off when being stored but I like to jam a couple on the end of my DPN’s and essentially turn them into straight needles! It saves me from having to buy extra pairs of needles in different forms and is just so darn handy!

I hope you find this post helpful on your knitting journey!  If there are any special tips and tricks you have, I’d love to hear about them. I’m always trying to update my repertorie. Sound off in the comments below. As always, happy knitting, and let your creativity thrive!