PurlsAndPixels

How to Make the Knit Stitch

Learn to make the knit stitch, a free knitting tutorial from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Once you have cast on your first stitches, you will be ready to begin your first knit stitch row.

The abbreviations “k” or “K” are often used in patterns to instruct you to make the knit stitch.

Two important things to remember when making the knit stitch:

  1. Hold the working yarn behind your needles, and
  2. Insert your right needle into each stitch from front to back.

There are different styles of knitting, the most common of which are Continental and English style knitting. Both styles of knitting give you the same knitted piece at the end, but they differ in how you hold your yarn. Here, you’ll learn how to knit in the Continental style. I like Continental style knitting because it is quicker to make the knit stitch once you have practiced.

Below are both video and written tutorials to help you learn how to make the knit stitch.

Video Guide: How to Make the Knit Stitch

Written Guide: How to Make the Knit Stitch

Step 1: Learn to make the knit stitch, with a free knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Knit, Step 1:

After turning your work, arrange the working yarn onto your left hand in your preferred yarn hold. Hold the empty needle in your right hand.

Step 2: Learn to make the knit stitch, with a free knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Knit, Step 2:

Place the working yarn (coming from your yarn ball) behind your left needle.

Step 3: Learn to make the knit stitch, with a free knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Knit, Step 3:

Insert the tip of your right-hand needle into the front loop of the first stitch on your left needle.

Step 4: Learn to make the knit stitch, with a free knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Knit, Step 4:

Bring the right needle tip over the working yarn and begin to form a counterclockwise loop around it.

Step 5: Learn to make the knit stitch, with a free knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Knit, Step 5:

Pull the loop on your right needle tip through the stitch on your left needle.

Step 6: Learn to make the knit stitch, with a free knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Knit, Step 6:

Slide the stitch you have just worked into off your left needle, allowing the new stitch to remain on your right needle. You have made your first knit stitch!

Repeat steps one through six to knit an entire row off your left needle and onto the right. When the left needle is empty, you can turn your work again and start the next row.

This pattern, of using only knit stitches and turning after each row, is known as the Garter Stitch. It is used in many knitted projects.

Learn to make the knit stitch, a free knitting tutorial from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Practice With My Free Knitting Patterns

Free Beginner Face Scrubby knitting pattern by Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Knit along with me and practice your knit stitches with my Free Beginner Face Scrubby Pattern.

Simple garter stitch scarf easy beginner scarf knitting pattern by Liz @PurlsAndPixels

If you are looking for a bigger project, my Free Beginner Knit Scarf Pattern is also made in garter stitch (all knit stitches). It is just as simple as my face scrubby pattern; it just takes a bit longer to make.

Up Next

Learn how to make the purl stitch, a knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

After mastering the knit stitch, you will be ready to learn the purl stitch and start adding texture and patterns to your knitting projects.

Go Back to the Learn to Knit Index

6 thoughts on “How to Make the Knit Stitch

  1. Janie Behrend

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    1. purlsandpixels Post author

      Thanks! Glad you both like my page. 🙂 Right now, I’m still writing the material for this site myself, but if I start looking for guest writers, I’ll be sure to let you know! Glad you stopped by.

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