Category: Kids’ Knitting Lessons

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Kids’ Knitting – The Knit Stitch

Kids' Guide Knit Stitch Lesson Hero Image

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 (coming soon)
Knitted fabric on circular needles showing stitches ready to be bound off in the next lesson.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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Kids’ Knitting – Turn Your Work

Turning the knitting needle from the right hand to the left hand.

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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Kids’ Knitting – Cast On

Knitting cast on held in hands on needle.

Lesson 3: Cast On (The Long Tail Cast On)

The long-tail cast-on is a way of creating your first knitted row of stitches. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you will learn the long-tail cast on so you can knit your first project.

“Cast on” is knitter-speak for putting your first stitches on the needles. There are a lot of different ways to cast on. Here, you’ll learn the “long tail cast on.” It’s called this because you pull a long piece of yarn (or “tail“) out of the ball before you start. Using that long tail, you will make loops that wrap around your knitting needle. These “cast-on stitches” make the base of your knitting project.

Check your knitting pattern to see how many cast-on stitches you need for every new project. Since we will make a coaster first, you can start by making ten (10) cast-on stitches.
Grab your knitting needles and your yarn. It is time to cast on your first knitting project!

Super-bulky yarn cast on to a circular knitting needle, ready to begin knitting a flat coaster.

Your first row

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

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Cast On

Cast On for Kids (Beginner Knitting Lesson)

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Cast On

After you have made and placed your slipknot, follow the steps below to hold your yarn and needles so you can start making cast-on stitches. Then, you’ll begin adding cast-on stitches to form your first row.

How to Hold the Yarn for a Cast On

Hold Step 1: Pinch

Hold the knitting needle tip with the slipknot in your right hand. Pinch your left thumb and pointer finger together, holding the other three out.

Knitting needle with a slipknot held in the right hand while the left thumb and pointer finger pinch together.

Hold Step 2: Under

Place the pinched fingers under the ends of the slipknot.

Pinched fingers placed under the yarn strands near the slipknot to prepare for the long tail cast on.

Hold Step 3: Grab

Close your hand over the yarn and grab the yarn with the last three fingers on your left hand.

Left hand closed over the yarn with the last three fingers holding the yarn strands.

Hold Step 4: Rotate

Rotate your left hand so that you can see your last three fingers and spread out your thumb and pointer fingers, so each holds one strand of yarn.

Left hand rotated so the thumb and pointer finger each hold a strand of yarn for the cast on.

Once you are holding the yarn and needles correctly, you will start making cast-on stitches.

How to Make Cast-On Stitches

Cast On Step 1: Under 1

Move the needle tip under the strand of yarn that is looped around your left thumb.

Knitting needle tip moving under the yarn strand looped around the left thumb.

Cast On Step 2: Over 2

Bring the needle tip over the next two strands moving toward your palm.

Needle tip moving over the next two yarn strands toward the palm during the cast on.

Cast On Step 3: Grab the Yarn

Grab the second strand of yarn with the needle tip by placing it over the yarn and pulling the needle and yarn toward your thumb.

Needle tip grabbing the yarn strand and pulling it toward the thumb to form a new loop.

Cast On Step 4: Pull it Through

Pull the yarn and needle tip through the yarn loop that is on your thumb.

Needle tip pulling the yarn loop through the loop held on the thumb.

Cast On Step 5: Slide Off Thumb

Slide the loop off your thumb. Make sure to keep the loop on your knitting needle. The loop you just made on your needle is your second cast-on stitch.

New cast on stitch slid off the thumb and placed onto the knitting needle.

While continuing to hold the yarn in the same way, repeat cast on steps one through five to make as many stitches as your pattern instructs. For our coaster, stop casting on stitches when you have 10 on the needle.

Up Next

Turn your work. Go to Kids’ Lesson 4 to continue.

Start Lesson 4: Turn
Knitting work ready to be turned to begin the next lesson.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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Kids’ Knitting – Slipknot

Hero image for the Kids’ Knitting Slipknot lesson.

Lesson 2: Making a Slipknot

A slipknot is the first loop you will put on a knitting needle to begin a project. In this kids’ knitting lesson, you’ll learn to make a slipknot to start your first guided knitting project.

To start knitting, you will make a slipknot as your first stitch. Wrap the yarn around your hand, bring a bit up and under to create a loop with a knot at the bottom. This loop starts big and then slips tighter when you pull the end of the string.

Closeup of the tip of a knitting needle with a slipknot looped onto it.

Your first stitch

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

Kids’ Video Guide: How to Make a Slipknot

Slipknot for Kids (First Knitting Stitch)

Kids’ Picture Guide: How to Make a Slipknot

Step 1: Pull the Tail

Find the end of the yarn and pull it out of the ball. Measure about 2 inches of yarn for every stitch you need to cast on. For our coaster, measure out 20 inches of yarn. This is your “long tail.”

Yarn pulled from the ball to measure a long tail before making a slipknot.

Step 2: Wrap Around Your Hand

Starting at the 20-inch point, wrap the yarn around your left hand so that it crosses over your palm.

Yarn wrapped around the left hand with the tail crossing over the palm.

Step 3: Loop Under

Loop the yarn you are holding in your right hand under the yarn that is wrapped around your left hand. This will make a small loop. Pinch the loop and carefully take your left hand out of the yarn.

Yarn loop being pulled under the wrapped strand to form a small loop.

Step 4: Pull Up

Hold the loop in your right hand and gently pull on the ends of the yarn with your left hand. This will tighten the knot at the bottom of the loop.

Hands pulling the yarn ends to tighten the knot at the bottom of the loop.

Step 5: Tighten

Continue pulling on the yarn ends to tighten the loop until it is small enough to fit around your finger loosely.

Slipknot loop tightened until it is small and loose enough to fit around a finger.

Step 6: Slip Onto Needle

Pick up one end of your circular knitting needle in your right hand with the tip pointing toward the left.

Slide the slipknot onto the knitting needle tip.

Tighten the slipknot so it fits snugly around the needle but can still slide back and forth.

Slipknot loop slid onto the tip of a circular knitting needle.

Up Next

Now we can finish our cast on. Go to Kids’ Lesson 3 to continue.

Start Lesson 3: Cast On
Link: next lesson, cast on.

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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Kids’ Knitting – Tools

Kids' knitting tools displayed - super-bulky yarn, circular knitting needles, measuring tape and scissors.

Lesson 1: Choosing Yarn and Needles

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to choose yarn, needles, and knitting tools so you can start your first knitting project.

As a new knitter, you’ll discover an exciting world of yarn and knitting needles. To keep things simple, we are going to start with just one type of yarn and one pair of knitting needles. They will be the perfect set of kids’ knitting tools to learn the basics and make all five knitting projects.

Kids and beginners looking for a fast project should choose extra-thick yarn and knitting needles, plus a few small gadgets to help finish up. Use the affiliate links here to shop on Amazon or you can usually find these knitting supplies at your favorite local yarn shop.

Video Guide: Knitting Supplies for Kids & Beginners

In this video, I’ll walk you through the knitting supplies for this series of lessons. Then, keep reading below to find everything you’ll need.

Kids’ Knitting Materials (Everything Needed for All Lessons)

Yarn

The thickest, squishiest yarn that is still easy to handle is called “super-bulky” or “No. 6” yarn on the label. This fluffy string knits up in a flash. Here, we will use Wool-Ease Thick & Quick by Lion Brand Yarn. I worked in the color “Bluegrass,” but there are lots of choices. Choose your favorite! You will need seven balls of yarn to make every pattern in the Kids’ Knitting Guide. Or start with one ball of yarn for your first project.

Knitting Needles

Each yarn size has knitting needle sizes that match. For our super-bulky yarn, we’ll use a thicker needle. The size of needles is shown on the package with a US number and millimeter number. To learn with this series, look for a needle that is labeled US 13 (9 mm).

Instead of using the two sticks you might imagine when you think of knitting needles, we are going to use a “circular knitting needle.” This knitting needle has a bendy cable between the two pointy sticks. It will let you knit both flat things, like scarves, and round things, like hats. The cords can be long or short. For now, choose a circular needle that is 16 inches (41 cm) long.

The last thing you’ll need to choose from a knitting needle is material. They often come in metal, wood, and bamboo. When you’re learning, choose bamboo. It helps keep your yarn from slipping off your needles. Plus, it’s a little quieter to work with.

Super-Bulky Wool-Ease Thick & Quick by Lion Brand Yarn in the color Bluegrass (a teal and blue combination) held in hands with a circular knitting needle.

Other Kids’ Knitting Tools

Now that you have yarn and needles, you’ll just need a few more small tools.

A measuring tape is helpful for your whole project. You’ll measure your yarn and your knitting projects to make sure they are the right size.

A stitch marker is a small ring that you can slip onto your knitting needles. This will help you keep track of where you are in your knitting projects.

Darning needles look like big sewing needles, but they are not sharp. These let you sew the yarn ends back into the knitting project. Make sure you get a darning needle with a large opening (called the needle “eye”) for our big yarn.

Scissors clip the leftover yarn away. These are make just for kids, but all scissors are sharp! (Kids, be careful and adults, make sure you help or supervise.)

Below, you’ll find a complete shopping list. Gather your tools and we can start knitting!

Your First Knitting Shopping List 🧶

  1. One ball of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick by Lion Brand Yarn in your choice of color. (Shown in the color “Bluegrass.”)
  2. One circular knitting needle that is 16 inches (41 cm) long in size US 13 (9mm). (Shown in Clover Takumi brand bamboo needles.)
  3. One measuring tape.
  4. One large stitch marker. (Shown in ChiaoGoo brand circle stitch markers.)
  5. One large-eye darning needle.
  6. One pair of scissors.
Kids' first knitting supplies for lessons laid on table: Wool-Ease Thick And Quick super-bulky yarn in "Lagoon" blue, bamboo knitting needles US No 13 (9mm), soft measuring tape, darning needle, stitch marker, and sewing scissors.

Next

Find your first knitting pattern. Here we will make a coaster. Open the coaster pattern, and also open your first lesson: Making Your First Stitch. The lessons will teach you how to use a pattern and make your first knitted thing.

This will be fun! Let’s get started.

Your First Pattern: Knit Coaster
Start Lesson 2: Making Your First Stitch

Return to the Kids’ Knitting Guide.

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Kids’ Knitting Guide

Kids can learn to knit from the Kids' Knitting Corner knitting guide at PurlsAndPixels with fast cozy projects by Liz Chandler.

Step-by-step knitting lessons for kids 🧶

Hi, friends! Do you want to make your own awesome stuff? Did you know that with just one set of knitting needles and some fluffy yarn, you can create all sorts of fantastic things? That’s knitting. And I know you’re going to love it!

Knitting is a way to make fabric by looping yarn with two needles, one stitch at a time. In Kids’ Knitting Guide, you’ll learn how to knit step by step, starting with your very first stitch.

The Kids’ Knitting Guide is a guided series of knitting lessons made to teach kids to knit. In this series, you will learn basic knitting skills while making five useful projects.

A boy knitting by the window learning to knit with super-bulky yarn with Liz Chandler's PurlsAndPixels Knitting Lessons.

What You’ll Learn Here

Start at Lesson 1 and follow the lessons in order to learn how to knit from the beginning.

Lesson missing? The series is being written now. I’ll add the next lessons to this page as they’re published, so you can come back here for the next step.

In this cozy corner, we will start right at the beginning. Together, we will:

If you are anything like me, you’ll want to be finished and use your project as quickly as you can. So, in these lessons you’ll knit with super-bulky yarn. This big, squishy yarn makes fluffy projects that will be finished in a flash.

If you ever feel stuck, just go back one lesson and try again. Knitting gets easier with practice.

Kids' knitting lessons start with super-bulky yarn and US No. 13 needles, shown here outside held in front of a blue sky.

What You’ll Knit First

We will use this big yarn to let us learn more quickly, too. Every project you knit gives you a new skill. And the bigger the yarn, the faster the project. By the time you knit through this series, you will be able to make:

Kids' knitting projects on wooden table - coaster, placemat, scarf, hats, and a candy toy knitted in blue and teal super-bulky yarn.

Get Started

This is going to be fun! Start your first lesson: let’s pick out your yarn!

Start Lesson 1: Choose Your Tools

Want to knit the projects that go with these lessons? Explore the full Kids’ Knitting Guide Pattern Bundle with all five project PDFs in one convenient download.

🧷 Helpful Knitting Resources

Looking for more ways to support your knitting goals?