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Kids’ Knitting – Finishing Hats

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – weaving in loose ends in the round to finish a knitted hat.

Lesson 10: Tie Up Loose Ends (On Hats)

Now that your hat is off the knitting needles, you will have just two loose ends that need to be removed. As you learned in your flat knitting projects, knitters don’t simply cut the yarn. That would cause the project to unravel. Instead, patterns will tell you to “weave in the loose ends.”

Weaving in the loose ends on hats is a way of hiding and securing the yarn tails before cutting them off. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you’ll learn how to weave in loose ends, so you can finish and start using your first knitted hat.

On hats, weaving in your loose ends means you will be sewing the yarn tails into the fabric so that they are hidden. With your darning needle, you will tuck these ends into the project and anchor them in place. To make them extra secure, we will tie two small knots that lock the yarn end to a knit stitch. Then, you can trim away the extra yarn with your scissors and start wearing your hat.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – finished knit hats worn outdoors after weaving in loose ends.

Your Last Step

Below are both video and written tutorials to help you learn how to weave in the loose ends. Working on the Kids’ Hat? You can check your pattern here.

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Weave in Loose Ends to Finish Hats

Loose Ends on Hats (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Weave in Loose Ends to Finish Hats

After you have finished drawing the yarn through all the remaining stitches, your hat will be off the knitting needles. You’re almost finished: you have just two loose ends to remove. We will weave them into the fabric one at a time using a darning needle.

How to Weave in Loose Ends: Hat Tops

Once you have taken all the stitches off the knitting needles, it is time to cut the yarn that connects the knitting project to the ball.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 1: Thread Yarn onto Darning Needle

Thread the loose end onto the darning needle by poking the end through the eye of the darning needle.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – threading yarn onto a darning needle to weave in loose ends on a hat.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 2: Sew In

Point the darning needle down through the hole at the top of the hat.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – inserting a darning needle into the top of a knitted hat to begin weaving in the yarn tail.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 3: Turn Hat

Turn the hat inside-out then bring the needle and yarn the rest of the way through the hole. Then, pull the tail tightly to close the hole.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – turning a knitted hat inside out to pull the yarn tail through the top.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 4: Anchor

Choose a stitch near the hole at the top of the hat. (This will be the stitch you anchor the end onto.) Poke the darning needle under that stitch pointing away from the edge of the knitting project. Sew the yarn through.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – anchoring a yarn tail to a stitch near the top of a knitted hat.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 5: Split and Anchor

Split the yarn end in half, thread half the yarn onto the darning needle, and then sew that half of the yarn around the stitch you chose to anchor your yarn onto.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – splitting yarn and anchoring it to secure a loose end in a knitted hat.

Next, we will tie two little knots to make sure the end of the yarn stays in place.

How to Tie Up Loose Ends: Hat Top

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 1: Lay Halves in Opposite Directions

Lay the two halves of the yarn end in opposite directions, one pointing to the left and one to the right.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – laying split yarn ends in opposite directions to prepare for tying knots.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 2: Pick Up Yarn Halves

Pick up the two halves of the yarn with opposite hands (the right strand in the left hand and the left strand in the right hand).

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – holding yarn ends in opposite hands to begin tying a knot.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 3: Tie Knot

Tie the two ends in a simple knot: Cross the strands to make a loop, then tuck one end through the loop, and pull it through. Tighten just to the surface of the knitting, but don’t pull too tightly.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – tying the first knot to secure a yarn tail in a knitted hat.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 4: Tie Second Knot

Tie the two ends in a simple knot: Cross the strands to make a loop, then tuck one end through the loop, and pull it through. Tighten just to the surface of the knitting, but don’t pull too tightly.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – tying a second knot to secure the yarn tail in place.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 5: Pull Tight

Pull the second knot tightly. If it does not move, go to step six. If it slips when you pull, make one more knot (repeat steps one through three) before going to step six.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – pulling knots tight to secure loose ends in a knitted hat.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 6: Cut Extra Yarn

Use your scissors to trim the two yarn halves near the knot.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – trimming excess yarn after securing loose ends in a knitted hat.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 7: Turn Hat

Turn your hat to bring right-side out again.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – turning a knitted hat right side out after finishing the top.

Now, you only have one loose end left before your hat is finished.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – preparing to weave in the remaining loose end at the bottom of a knitted hat.

How to Weave in Loose Ends: Hat Bottom

Weave in Loose Ends Step 1: Thread Yarn onto Darning Needle

Thread a loose end onto the darning needle by poking the end through the eye of the darning needle.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – threading yarn onto a darning needle to weave in the bottom loose end of a hat.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 2: Sew In

Choose a stitch near the loose end in the next row up. (This will be the stitch you anchor the end onto.) Poke the darning needle under that stitch pointing away from the edge of the knitting project. Sew the yarn through.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – anchoring a yarn tail into stitches near the brim of a knitted hat.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 3: Split Yarn

Take the yarn off the darning needle. Then, use the needle top to help you split the yarn end in half.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – splitting yarn to prepare for securing the loose end at the bottom of a hat.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 4: Thread Half the Yarn

Thread half the yarn end through the eye of the darning needle.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – threading half the yarn onto a needle to secure the loose end.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 5: Anchor

Sew that half of the yarn around the stitch you chose to anchor your yarn onto. Next, we will tie two little knots to make sure the end of the yarn stays in place.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – anchoring split yarn to secure the bottom loose end of a knitted hat.

How to Tie Up Loose Ends: Hat Bottom

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 1: Lay Halves in Opposite Directions

Lay the two halves of the yarn end in opposite directions, one pointing to the left and one to the right.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – laying split yarn ends in opposite directions at the bottom of a hat.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 2: Pick Up Yarn Halves

Pick up the two halves of the yarn with opposite hands (the right strand in the left hand and the left strand in the right hand).

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – holding yarn ends in opposite hands to tie a knot at the bottom of a hat.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 3: Tie Knot

Tie the two ends in a simple knot: Cross the strands to make a loop, then tuck one end through the loop, and pull it through. Tighten just to the surface of the knitting, but don’t pull too tightly.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – tying the first knot to secure the bottom yarn tail of a knitted hat.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 4: Tie Second Knot

Repeat steps one through three to tie a second knot.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – tying a second knot to lock the yarn tail in place.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 5: Pull Tight

Pull the second knot tightly. If it does not move, go to step six. If it slips when you pull, make one more knot (repeat steps one through three) before going to step six.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – pulling knots tight to secure the bottom loose end of a hat.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 6: Cut Extra Yarn

Use your scissors to trim the two yarn halves near the knot.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – trimming excess yarn after finishing the bottom loose end.

Stretch your hat gently into shape to even out your stitches and roll up the brim.

Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – stretching a knitted hat to shape after finishing.
Lesson 10, Kids' Knitting Guide – finished knitted hat ready to wear after weaving in loose ends.

Now you have finished your very first hat and it is ready to wear. Be proud of yourself! You now understand flat and round knitting and you’re ready for the next project.

Your Next Project

Using everything you’ve covered in the Kids’ Knitting Lessons so far, you can now make a coaster, placemat, scarf, and hat. Now it is time for a new challenge: your first knitted toy.

In the next lesson, you will learn how to make a candy pillow toy by binding off a project in the round. Move to the next lesson (Kids’ Lesson 11) to start learning to bind off in the round so you can make your own candy toy.

Kids' Knitting Guide – super bulky candy pillow toy made by binding off in the round.

Up Next

Learn how to bind off in the round to finish your first knitted toy. Go to Kids’ Lesson 11 to continue.

Start Lesson 11: Bind Off in the Round (coming soon)
Kids' Knitting Guide – binding off in the round to create a closed knitted toy.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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Kids’ Knitting – Draw Through

Lesson 9, Kids' Knitting Guide – drawing yarn through remaining stitches to close the top of a knitted hat.

Lesson 9: Take a Circular Project Off the Needles to Make a Hat

Once you knit all your round rows, you will need to take the stitches off the knitting needles. For hats, you will “draw the yarn through the remaining stitches.” This brings the edge of the project together to form the rounded top of your hat.

Drawing the yarn through the remaining stitches is a way to take knit stitches off the circular needle to create a rounded edge. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you’ll learn how to draw yarn through the remaining stitches so you can make the top of your first knitted hat.

When your instructions tell you to “draw yarn through remaining stitches,” you are really being asked to take the stitches off the needles and string them onto the loose end. To do this, you will put your yarn tail on a darning needle. Then you can use the darning needle to slide stitches onto the yarn tail. Once you have moved all the stitches, you can pull the tail to tighten the end of your knitted tube together. This rounds off the top of the project.

Lesson 9, Kids' Knitting Guide – drawing yarn through remaining stitches to close the top of a knitted hat.

Your Last Round

Below are both video and written tutorials to help you learn how to draw yarn through the remaining stitches. Working on the Kids’ Hat? You can check your pattern here.

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Draw Yarn Through Remaining Stitches

Draw Yarn Through Remaining Stitches (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Draw Yarn Through Remaining Stitches

After you’ve finished your last round of knitting, you can follow the steps below to take the stitches off the needles.

Step 1: Cut the Yarn

Set your work down, being careful not to let the last stitch fall off the needle. Measure about 10 inches of yarn away from the last stitch, then cut the yarn at that point. (You will use this long end later.)

Lesson 9, Kids' Knitting Guide – cutting the yarn tail to prepare for finishing a knitted hat.

Step 2: Thread Yarn onto Darning Needle

Thread the loose end onto the darning needle by poking the end through the eye of the darning needle.

Lesson 9, Kids' Knitting Guide – threading yarn onto a darning needle.

Step 3: Slide Stitch onto Darning Needle

Hold the darning needle in your right hand. Slip the first stitch off the left-hand knitting needle and onto the darning needle.

Lesson 9, Kids' Knitting Guide – sliding a stitch off the knitting needle onto a darning needle.

Step 4: Slide Stitch onto Yarn Tail

Slide the darning needle and yarn tail through the stitch.

Repeat steps one through four until all the stitches are on the yarn tail and no stitches are on the knitting needle.

Lesson 9, Kids' Knitting Guide – pulling the yarn tail through stitches to remove them from the knitting needle.

Step 5: Pull Tight

Pull the yarn tail to tighten the stitches together.

Lesson 9, Kids' Knitting Guide – pulling the yarn tight to close the top of a knitted hat.

Now, the top of your hat is off the needles and you’ve made a rounded top that will fit snugly. All that is left to do is weave in the two loose ends and your hat will be finished!

Up Next

Tie up loose ends on hats. Go to Kids’ Lesson 10 to continue.

Start Lesson 10: Tie Up Loose Ends on Hats
Kids' Knitting Guide – weaving in loose ends to finish a knitted hat.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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Kids’ Knitting – Knit in the Round

Lesson 8 in the Kids’ Knitting Guide showing how join the round to start a beginner circular knitting project.

Lesson 8: Join the Round and Knit in a Circle

After you understand flat knitting, knitting in a circle is the next step. This is called “knitting in the round.” Learning to knit in the round unlocks a new set of knitting patterns. You will be able to make tubes of fabric directly on your knitting needles so you can make knit hats and toys.

Earlier, you learned that turning your work after you cast on lets you make a flat rectangle. Now, “joining the round” instead of turning your work will let you make a circular tube.

Joining the round is a way of connecting the ends of your cast on to create a circular tube of knitted fabric. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you’ll learn how to join the round so you can make your first knitted hat.

Instead of turning your work, you will slide the end of the cast on to the tip of the knitting needle. Then, you’ll knit into the other end of the cast on and start working around in a circle. You’ll place a stitch marker between the first and last stitches of your round rows; this helps track your place in the pattern.

Knitting in the round lets you knit the next project in the Kids’ Knitting Guide: your first wearable, a Super-Bulky Hat.

Lesson 8, Kids' Knitting Guide – circular knitting needles and yarn forming a tube of knitted fabric while knitting in the round.

Below are both video and written tutorials to help you learn how to knit in the round.

Start learning this skill by using the Super-Bulky Hat Pattern. Choose baby size if you want a smaller project first (this size fits dolls and little babies). Or knit the one-size-fits-most hat pattern to make a hat that you can wear (this size fits most kids over two years old and most adults).

Following the hat pattern, you’ll cast on your first stitches. Do this in the exact same way as you cast on your coaster. Then, the pattern says, “Row 2: Join the round (taking care not to twist stitches) and knit 20. (20 stitches)”

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Knit in the Round

Knit in the Round (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Knit in the Round

Step 1: Place Stitch Marker

After casting on, continue holding the stitches in your right hand. Place your stitch marker on the right-hand needle tip, just after the last cast-on stitch.

Lesson 8, Kids' Knitting Guide – placing a stitch marker after casting on to prepare for knitting in the round.

Step 2: Pick Up Left Needle

Gently slide the first cast on stitch toward the other end of your knitting needle. Then, pick up that needle with your left hand.

Lesson 8, Kids' Knitting Guide – sliding the first cast-on stitch to the tip of the needle before joining the round.

Step 3: Set Up Yarn to Knit

Set up your hands to make a knit stitch by draping the yarn that connects the project to the ball over your left pointer finger.

Lesson 8, Kids' Knitting Guide – setting the yarn over the finger to prepare for making a knit stitch in the round.

Step 4: Knit

Knit into the first stitch on the left-hand needle. This step “joins the round.”

Lesson 8, Kids' Knitting Guide – knitting the first stitch to join the round and begin circular knitting.

Step 5: Keep Going Around

Continue knitting stitches off the left-hand needle. Slide the stitches around the circular needle as you go. Each time you reach the stitch marker, you have finished a row.

Lesson 8, Kids' Knitting Guide – continuing to knit around the circular needle to form a tube of knitted fabric.

Keep knitting until you have reached your next instruction in the pattern. Then, you can learn to take the yarn off the needles in a way that lets you close up the top of your hat.

Up Next

Draw yarn through the remaining stitches: how to take your stitches off the needles to make a hat. Go to Kids’ Lesson 9 to continue.

Start Lesson 9: Draw Yarn Through Remaining Stitches
Kids' Knitting Guide – stitches remaining on circular needles before drawing yarn through to finish a knitted hat.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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How to Knit a Kids’ Coaster

Learn to knit a coaster from start to finish in Liz Chandler's knitting lesson.

Knitting a kids’ coaster is a beginner-friendly knitting skill. In this knitting lesson you will learn how to make a slip knot, cast on, knit every row in garter stitch, and bind off so you can finish your first coaster and feel ready to knit the placemat next.

A completed blue Beginner Super Bulky Knit Coaster made from the Free Knitting Pattern by Liz Chandler resting atop a purple outdoor table with a winter mountain scene and a glass of milk on the coaster.

Knit with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels 🧶

This coaster is Project 1 in the Kids’ Knitting Guide. It is intentionally small, calm, and repetitive, so you can practice one motion until it feels steady.

Video Tutorial

How to Knit a Super Bulky Coaster (Beginner Project)

Before You Start

  • Skill level: Beginner (kid-friendly)
  • Time needed: One short knitting session (or two)
  • What to expect: Your first rows may look uneven. That is normal and improves with practice.
  • Goal: Finish your first square project from cast on to bind off.

Skills Used in This Lesson

If any of these skills are new, review those lessons first. Each one is quick to learn and makes this project much easier.

Make a slip knot (the first loop)

Put stitches on the needles (cast on)

Turn your work (to knit flat rows)

Knit stitch (the stitch you will do most)

Take your project off the needles (bind off)

Weave in loose ends on flat knits

Materials Needed to Knit a Kids’ Coaster

Yarn

One 106-yard (6-ounce) skein of super-bulky (No. 6) yarn (shown in Wool-Ease Thick and Quick by Lion Brand Yarn “Bluegrass”), in your choice of color.

  • One coaster uses approximately 10.6 yards (0.6 oz.)

*Weights estimated with Wool Ease Thick & Quick by Lion Brand Yarn; other yarn weights may vary.

Knitting Needles

16-inch (41 cm) long US No. 13 (9 mm) circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)

Notions

Kids’ Knitting Materials (Everything Needed for All Lessons)

How to Knit a Kids’ Coaster

Step 1: Make a Slip Knot

A slip knot is the first loop that goes on your needle. Make one slip knot and place it on your needle.

Slipknot for Kids (First Knitting Lesson)

Step 2: Cast On

Cast on until you have 10 stitches on your needle (including the slip knot stitch).

Cast On for Kids (Beginner Knitting Lesson)

Step 3: Turn Your Work

When you reach the end of your row, turn your work so the needle with stitches is back in your left hand and you are ready to knit.

Turn Your Work (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

Step 4: Knit Every Row (Garter Stitch)

This coaster uses the garter stitch, which means knitting every stitch in every row.

  • Rows 1–18: Knit across all 10 stitches, then turn your work.
  • Keep going until your coaster looks like a square.
Knit Stitch (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

If your stitches look uneven, keep knitting. That repetition is how your hands learn the motion. If something looks wrong, start here: When Something Looks Wrong in Your Knitting.

Step 5: Bind Off

When your coaster is square, bind off loosely so the edge does not pull tight.

Bind Off (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

Step 6: Finish Loose Ends

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch (20 cm) tail. Pull the tail through, then weave in loose ends with a darning needle.

Weave in Ends (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

You Completed a Kids’ Coaster 🎉

You finished your first project. Next, you will knit the same calm stitch into a bigger project, so your hands get steadier and your knitting feels easier.

A white coffee cup sits on top of a beginner knit coaster knit with blue super-bulky yarn on a wooden table near a window and potted plant.

Continue Learning: Your Next Projects

Learn the full kids’ path: Start at the beginning on my Kids’ Knitting Guide, and follow the lessons in order.

Kids’ Knitting Guide
All Knitting Lessons
Shop Books and Patterns

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Want more free beginner lessons, patterns, and practical tips? Sign up for my newsletter to get updates straight to your inbox. 💌

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Kids’ Knitting – Loose Ends

Lesson 7 in the Kids’ Knitting Guide showing how to weave in loose yarn ends to finish a beginner knitting project.

Lesson 7: Tie Up Loose Ends (On Flat Knits)

Weaving in loose ends is a way of tucking your ends into the knitted fabric before trimming the yarn so the ends do not show. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you will learn to weave in your loose ends so you can finish your first knitting project.

When you have finished following a knitting pattern, your project will almost always have extra strings. Knitters call these “loose ends” or “yarn tails.” At the end of a pattern, you will see an instruction that says, “weave in loose ends.” 

Weaving in loose ends is the way knitters get rid of those extra strings without them looking messy or coming undone. There are different ways to weave in your loose ends, but all of them start with threading the loose end onto a darning needle. This lets you sew the ends into the fabric, where they’ll be hidden.

Here, we will match the design of the knitting when we sew the ends into the fabric. Then, we will anchor our ends to a knit stitch and tie a pair of small knots to lock the yarn in place before trimming the ends.

Finished beginner knit coaster showing loose ends woven into the fabric in a kids knitting lesson.

Your Last Step

Below are both video and written tutorials to help you learn how to weave in the loose ends. Working on the Beginner Coaster? You can check your pattern here.

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Weave in Loose Ends

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Weave in Loose Ends

After you have finished binding off your project, you will have loose ends to remove. We will weave them into the fabric one at a time using a darning needle.

How to Weave in Loose Ends

Once you have taken all the stitches off the left hand needle, it is time to cut the yarn that connects the knitting project to the ball.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 1: Thread Yarn onto Darning Needle

Thread a loose end onto the darning needle by poking the end through the eye of the darning needle.

Threading a loose yarn end through the eye of a darning needle to begin weaving in loose ends in beginner knitting.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 2: Sew In

Choose a stitch near the loose end in the next row up. (This will be the stitch you anchor the end onto.) Poke the darning needle under that stitch pointing away from the edge of the knitting project. Sew the yarn through.

Using a darning needle to sew a loose yarn end into nearby knit stitches to hide the tail in beginner knitting.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 3: Split Yarn

Take the yarn off the darning needle. Then, use the needle top to help you split the yarn end in half.

Splitting the yarn tail into two halves before anchoring the loose end in beginner knitting.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 4: Thread Half the Yarn

Thread half the yarn end through the eye of the darning needle.

Threading half of the split yarn tail onto a darning needle to secure the loose end in beginner knitting.

Weave in Loose Ends Step 5: Anchor

Sew that half of the yarn around the stitch you chose to anchor your yarn onto.

Sewing the split yarn tail around a knit stitch to anchor the loose end securely in beginner knitting.

Next, we will tie two little knots to make sure the end of the yarn stays in place.

How to Tie Up Loose Ends

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 1: Lay Halves in Opposite Directions

Lay the two halves of the yarn end in opposite directions, one pointing to the left and one to the right.

Laying the two split yarn ends in opposite directions before tying knots to secure the knitting project.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 2: Pick Up Yarn Halves

Pick up the two halves of the yarn with opposite hands (the right strand in the left hand and the left strand in the right hand).

Holding the two yarn halves in opposite hands to prepare for tying a securing knot in beginner knitting.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 3: Tie Knot

Tie the two ends in a simple knot: Cross the strands to make a loop, then tuck one end through the loop, and pull it through. Tighten just to the surface of the knitting, but don’t pull too tightly.

Crossing yarn ends and tying a simple knot to lock the loose ends in place in beginner knitting.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 4: Tie Second Knot

Repeat steps one through three to tie a second knot.

Tying a second securing knot in the yarn ends to prevent unraveling in beginner knitting.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 5: Pull Tight

Pull the second knot tightly. If it does not move, go to step six. If it slips when you pull, make one more knot (repeat steps one through three) before going to step six.

Pulling the yarn knots tight so the loose ends stay secure in the finished knitting project.

Tie Up Loose Ends Step 6: Cut Extra Yarn

Use your scissors to trim the two yarn halves near the knot.

Cutting excess yarn near the secured knot after weaving in loose ends in beginner knitting.

Repeat the steps to weave in and tie up any other loose ends that are still hanging from your project. When your loose ends are all gone, stretch your project to shape it into a more even square.

Beginner knit coaster showing one loose yarn end woven into the fabric.
Completed beginner knit coaster with all loose ends woven in and trimmed.

Great job! You finished your first knit coaster. If your coaster doesn’t look “perfect,” don’t worry: it is perfect. Every first project will have a few wobbly stitches. The more you practice, the more even your stitching will get.

Your Next Project

Using everything you’ve covered in the Kids’ Knitting Lessons so far, you can now make a placemat and a scarf. These flat projects are made with the same skills as your coaster, but they’re just bigger. Making these next projects gives you a chance to practice your knit stitches. The more you practice, the better your stitches will look.

Beginner flat knitting projects including a placemat and scarf made using basic knit stitches.
Knit a Placemat
Knit a Scarf

Or, if you are ready to learn the next skill, you can move straight from knitting your coaster to knitting your very first wearable hat! Move to the next lesson (Kids’ Lesson 8) to start learning to knit in a circle (“knit in the round”) to make a seamless hat that will keep you cozy and warm.

Beginner knitting projects showing a finished coaster and a simple knit hat for kids.

Up Next

Learn to knit in a circle and start your very first hat. Go to Kids’ Lesson 8 to continue.

Start Lesson 8: Knit in a Circle
Joining knitting in the round to begin a seamless tube for a beginner knit hat.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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Kids’ Knitting – Bind Off

Lesson 6 in the Kids’ Knitting Guide showing how to bind off stitches to finish a beginner knitting project.

Lesson 6: Bind Off (Ending Flat Knits)

Binding off is a way of taking your stitches off the needles so your work does not come unraveled. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you will learn to bind off so you can finish your first project.

Bind off is the knitter’s way of saying that it’s time to take the stitches off the needles.  

At the end of your project, you’ll need to take the stitches off the needles in a way that keeps them from coming undone. A bind off links the stitches together, so they don’t unravel when you take out the needle. 

For this bind off, you will knit two stitches, then link them together before knitting the next stitch. There will never be more than two stitches on the right-hand needle when you are binding off. 

Hands showing a partially finished knitted bind off on a beginner knitting project.

Your Last Row

Below are both video and written tutorials to help you learn how to bind off. Working on the Beginner Coaster? You can check your pattern here.

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Bind Off

Bind Off (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Bind Off

Before you cut the yarn, you will knit a bind off row to connect your last stitches together.

How to Bind Off

Bind Off Step 1: Knit 2

Knit two stitches.

Knitting two stitches to begin the bind off row in a beginner knitting project.

Bind Off Step 2: Lift

With the left-hand needle tip, lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch.

Left needle lifting the first stitch over the second stitch during the bind off process.

Bind Off Step 3: Pull Through

Bring the second stitch through the first stitch.

Second stitch pulled through the first stitch while binding off knitted stitches.

Bind Off Step 4: Slide Off

Let the first stitch come off the needle. Check that the first stitch is now looped over the second, leaving only one stitch on the right-hand needle.

First stitch sliding off the needle leaving one stitch on the right needle during bind off.

Bind Off Step 5: Knit 1

Knit one stitch, then repeat steps 2-5 until no stitches are on the left-hand needle and one stitch is on the right-hand needle.

Knitting the next stitch to continue binding off stitches across the knitting row.

Once you have taken all the stitches off the left hand needle, it is time to cut the yarn that connects the knitting project to the ball.

How to Cut the Yarn

Cut Yarn Step 1: Cut the Yarn

Set your work down, being careful not to let the last stitch fall off the needle. Measure about 10 inches of yarn away from the last stitch, then cut the yarn at that point. (You will use this long end later.)

Measuring and cutting the yarn tail to finish a beginner knitting project after binding off.

Cut Yarn Step 2: Grab the Right-Hand Needle

Use your left hand to hold the project in place, then grab the needle near the last stitch with your right hand.

Holding the knitting project and needle near the last stitch before securing the final loop.

Cut Yarn Step 3: Pull Stitch Away

Pull the needle and stitch away from the project making the loop on your needle bigger.

Pulling the final stitch larger to remove it from the needle and prepare to secure the yarn.

Cut Yarn Step 4: Pull Yarn Through

Keep pulling until the yarn comes through, turning the loop into a straight end.

Pulling the yarn completely through the final loop to secure the end of the knitting.

Now, you have taken your first knitting project off the needles. The very last step is to get rid of the two loose ends that are still connected to your project.

Up Next

Tie up loose ends. Go to Kids’ Lesson 7 to continue.

Start Lesson 7: Tie Up Loose Ends
Finished beginner knit piece showing loose yarn ends ready to be woven in.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

Posted on

Kids’ Knitting – The Knit Stitch

Lesson 5 in the Kids’ Knitting Guide showing how to make the knit stitch in a beginner knitting project.

Lesson 5: Make the Knit Stitch

Once your cast on stitches are in your left hand, you will be set up to make the next row in your knitting project and to learn your next skill: the knit stitch.

The knit stitch is a way to loop yarn around knitting needles to make fabric out of yarn. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you’ll learn how to make the knit stitch so you can make your first knitting project.

A knit stitch is the most used skill in knitting and all the projects in the Kids’ Knitting Guide are made of knit stitches.

Hands holding yarn to demonstrate making the knit stitch.

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

Working on the Beginner Coaster? You can check your pattern here.

Checking the coaster pattern, our next instruction says: “Rows 2 – 18: Knit 10. (10 stitches) Turn.” This means we will be knitting every stitch in every row of the project. First, we will learn to make a knit stitch, then practice by repeating it until the project is ready to come off your needles.

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Make the Knit Stitch

Knit Stitch (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Make the Knit Stitch

Step 1: Hold Yarn and Needles

Keep holding the needle with stitches in your left hand. Drape the yarn that connects the project to the ball over your pointer finger and under your middle, ring, and pinkie fingers. Hold the empty needle tip in your right hand.

Knitting held in the left hand while the working yarn is draped over the pointer finger and the empty needle is held in the right hand.

Step 2: Poke

Poke the right-hand needle tip into the front side of the first loop on your left-hand needle.

Right knitting needle inserted into the front of the first stitch on the left needle to begin a knit stitch.

Step 3: Grab

Bring the needle tip over the yarn that rests in front of your pointer finger, then grab that yarn with the right-hand needle tip.

Right needle wrapping the yarn and grabbing it to pull through the stitch.

Step 4: Pull

Pull the yarn and needle tip through the loop on the left-hand needle. You should now have a loop on the right-hand needle.

New loop pulled through the stitch so a loop forms on the right knitting needle.

Step 5: Slide

Slide the first loop off the left-hand needle. The new loop on the right-hand needle is your first finished knit stitch.

Old stitch sliding off the left needle, leaving the new knit stitch on the right needle.

Now that you’ve made your first knit stitch in your coaster, you can use the skills you have learned to finish your project. To finish the row, knit 9 more stitches in the same way. When you come to the end of the row, turn your work and start knitting the next row. Once you have knit 18 rows, your project will measure about 4 inches long. Then, you can take the project off the needles by “binding off.” 

Up Next

Binding off: how to take your stitches off the needles. Go to Kids’ Lesson 6 to continue.

Start Lesson 6: Bind Off
Knitted fabric on circular needles showing stitches ready to be bound off in the next lesson.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

Posted on

Kids’ Knitting – Turn Your Work

Lesson 4 in the Kids’ Knitting Guide showing how to turn knitting needles to begin the next row of a flat knitting project.

Lesson 4: Turn Your Knitting

Now that you have cast on all your stitches, you are ready for the next step. Following our coaster pattern, we’ve now cast on all 10 stitches, and the pattern says: “Turn.” Turning your work after each row lets you knit a flat square or rectangle.

Turning your work in knitting means flipping your knitting over so you can make the next row in a flat project. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you’ll learn how to turn your work to keep going on your first project.

Knit stitches held in right hand after casting on.
Knit Stitches held in left hand after turning the work.

Turning your work is a simple hand switch. You’ll flip the knitting needle that is full of stitches from your right hand to your left hand, so the tip is facing right. This will set you up to make your first knit stitch and start knitting in flat rows.

Below are both video and written tutorials to help you learn how to turn your work. Working on the Beginner Coaster? You can check your pattern here.

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Turn Knitting

Turn Your Work (Kids’ Knitting Lesson)

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Turn Knitting

Step 1: From Right Hand

After you have cast on (or finished making a row), your stitches will be on the needle held in your right hand. The tip of the needle will be pointing toward the left.

A completed row of knit stitches held in the right hand before turning the work.

Step 2: To Left Hand

To turn your work, flip your knitting needle over, so the tip points toward the right, then place it in your left hand. Pick up the empty knitting needle with your right hand, making sure it points toward the left.

A completed row of knit stitches held in the left hand after turning the work.

Once you are holding the needle with stitches in the left hand and the empty needle in the right hand, you will be set up to start making your first knit stitches.

Up Next

The knit stitch. Go to Kids’ Lesson 5 to continue.

Start Lesson 5: The Knit Stitch
Hands preparing to teach the knit stitch in the next kids' knitting lesson.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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