Learn to Knit Online with Free Knitting Lessons from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels
So you are ready to learn to knit. That’s great! Making things from yarn is an incredibly fulfilling hobby. You can create wonderful clothing, accessories, home decor, and art from just a ball of string. Here you will find free online knitting lessons, tips, tutorials, guides, how-to-videos, and patterns to get you started.
Prefer Books?
I’ve written a complete beginner’s guide to knitting, full of lessons and patterns. Get your copy of Liz Chandler’s Knitting Guide: Learn to Knit with Practical Patterns.
Knitting Styles
First things first, you’ll want to choose a knitting style. There are two important and very different styles that both lead to the same knitted results. Continental knitting is done by holding the working yarn (the yarn coming from the ball) in your left hand. English style knitters hold the yarn in their right hands. All of the lessons on this site will teach Continental style knitting.
Keep in mind that everyone knits just a little bit differently. My knitting style may be slightly different that someone else’s; that doesn’t make either of us wrong. I believe that if you enjoy the process and you love your end result, your technique is always correct. Here, I’ll show you how I knit, purl, and more.
Mistakes are Okay!
When learning to knit, it is best to take things slowly and step-by-step. Learn one thing at a time, and before you know it you’ll be creating things you never thought you could. Be patient with knitting. Try not to be frustrated by mistakes, but rather, learn something new to make your next knitted project better.
Want to track your progress? Download, save, and print my Knitting Skills Progress Tracking Sheet from my Beginner’s Guide to Knitting Article.
Learn to Knit Guide: The Basics
If you are an absolute beginner, this guide is for you. Start learning to knit by choosing your knitting materials and work your way down my learn to knit tutorials. You will be knitting before you know it.
Putting the First Stitches on Knitting Needles – Learn to Cast On
How to Hold Yarn When Knitting
Take Your Work Off the Needles – “Bind Off” Knitting
Weave in and Tie Off Loose Ends on Flat Knits
Put it All Together:
Add a New Stitch: Let’s Purl!
Knits vs. Purls – How to See the Difference
How to “Bind Off in Pattern” – Taking Knits and Purls Off the Needles
Combine Knits and Purls to Make Beginner Knitting Patterns
Learn to Knit Guide: Improving Your Knitting Skills
Spotting and Fixing Common Knitting Mistakes
“Frog” – Unravel Knitting to Fix Mistakes or Reuse Yarn
Wind Yarn into Center-Pull Balls by Hand
Learn How to Make a Gauge Swatch
Slip Stitches Purlwise (slpw) – Slip Stitches to Neaten the Edges of Knitting
Knit Thru the Back Loop (ktbl) to Twist Knit Stitches and Add Texture
Slip Stitches Knitwise (slkw) – Slip Stitches to Add Texture
Joining a New Ball of Yarn – The Magic Knot
Switch Needle Sizes on Flat Knits
Learn to Knit Guide: How to Knit in the Round
What is Knitting in the Round?
Knit in the Round on Double Point Needles (DPNs)
Switch Needle Sizes on Double Point Needles (DPNs)
Bind Off on Double Point Needles (DPNs)
Knit in the Round on Circular Needles
Switch Circular Needle Sizes While Knitting in the Round
Bind Off in the Round on Circular Needles
The Magic Loop – Knit in the Round on Long Circular Needles
Switch Needle Sizes While Knitting in the Magic Loop
Learn to Knit Guide: Shaping Knitwear
Switch from Knitting on Circular Needles to Knitting on Double Point Needles “DPNs” – Hat Decreases
Switch from Knitting on Circular Needles to Knitting in the Magic Loop – Hat Decreases
- Draw Yarn Through Remaining Stitches (Bind Off Hats)
- Weave in the Loose End on Hat Tops
- Weave in the Cast-on Tail in the Round
Slip Stitches onto a Stitch Holder
Using Scrap Yarn Instead of Stitch Holders
Knitting Off Stitch Holders – Making Glove Thumbs on Double Point Needles (DPNs)
Knitting Off Stitch Holders – Making Glove Thumbs in the Magic Loop
Weave in Loose Ends on Fingerless Gloves
- Weave in the Cast-on Tail of Fingerless Gloves
- Weave in the Bind-off Tails of Fingerless Gloves
- Weave in the Tail at the Base of Fingerless Glove Thumbs
Weave in the Loose Ends of Mittens
- Weave in the Cast-on Tail of Mittens
- Weave in the Tails on Mitten Fingertips
- Weave in the Tail at the Base of Mitten Thumbs
Substituting Yarn – Worsted Weight Recommendations
Yarn Math – Calculating How Much Yarn is Left Over
Learn to Knit Guide: More Advanced Tutorials
Switch from Knitting on Double Point Needles “DPNs” to Knitting in the Magic Loop
Switch from Knitting in the Magic Loop to Knitting on Double Point Needles “DPNs”
Knit Two Things, in the Round, at Once
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments. Don’t be shy! If you want to know, someone else might too.
Ok, here we go. Let’s get started with step one and pick out some yarn!
Looking for something new to knit?
