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Basic Knitting Stitches Every Beginner Should Learn

Nearly every knitting pattern, no matter how complex it looks, is built from a small set of foundational stitches. These are the ones to learn first.

Casting on

The process of creating the initial row of loops on your needle, which forms the foundation for everything you knit afterward. There are several casting-on methods, but the long-tail cast-on is one of the most commonly taught starting points.

Knit stitch

The most basic stitch, worked by inserting the right needle into a loop, wrapping the yarn around it, and pulling a new loop through. Knitting every row produces a fabric called garter stitch, with a bumpy, ridged texture on both sides.

Purl stitch

The mirror image of the knit stitch, worked with the yarn held in front rather than behind the needle. Alternating knit and purl rows produces stockinette stitch, the smooth-front, bumpy-back fabric seen in most sweaters and t-shirts.

Stockinette stitch

Created by knitting every right-side row and purling every wrong-side row (or vice versa working in the round). It is the most common fabric in knitwear but tends to curl at the edges, which is why patterns often border it with garter stitch or ribbing.

Ribbing

Alternating knit and purl stitches within the same row (like knit-2, purl-2), creating a stretchy, textured fabric that does not curl. Used almost universally for cuffs, collars, and hems where a snug, elastic edge is needed.

Binding off (casting off)

The technique for finishing a piece by securing the last row of loops so the knitting cannot unravel. Done by knitting two stitches, then lifting the first stitch over the second, and repeating across the row.

Two stitches, endless patterns

The overwhelming majority of knitting patterns, no matter how intricate the finished item looks, are built entirely from combinations and sequences of the knit and purl stitch. Learning to knit and purl comfortably and consistently is the single biggest step toward reading and following most beginner and intermediate patterns.

Tension takes practice, not talent

New knitters' stitches are often uneven or too tight at first, which is a near-universal part of learning rather than a sign of doing something fundamentally wrong. Tension typically evens out naturally with repetition as your hands settle into a consistent motion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I learn knitting or crochet first?

They are different crafts using different tools (two needles versus a single hook) and neither is a prerequisite for the other, so the choice mainly comes down to which finished look and technique appeals to you more.

What is the easiest first project?

A simple garter-stitch scarf, worked entirely in the knit stitch, is one of the most commonly recommended first projects, since it only requires one stitch technique and forgives uneven tension better than more complex patterns.