When learning how to knit, mastering the knit stitch is the most critical step. Once you know this, along with casting on and binding off, you can complete your very first project—like a dishcloth or a scarf!
What is the Knit Stitch?
The knit stitch is the most common stitch in knitting. If you knit every stitch on every row back and forth (flat), you create garter stitch. If you knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side (or just knit continuously in the round), you get stockinette stitch.
Step-by-Step: How to do it
Yarn behind
The working yarn hangs behind the needle, away from you.
Insert
Enter the first stitch from left to right, front to back.
Wrap
Take the yarn counterclockwise around the right needle tip.
Pull through and drop
Draw the new loop forward through the old stitch, then let the old stitch slide off.
Every knit stitch is these four moves, repeated. Once your hands know them you will stop thinking about them entirely.
Step 1: Keep Yarn in Back
Hold the knitting in your left hand and the needle you will knit onto in your right hand. The working yarn (the thread leading to the ball) must lie behind your work, away from you.
Step 2: Insert the Needle
Insert the tip of the right needle into the first loop on the left needle. Go from left to right, front to back, so the right needle ends up behind the left needle.
Step 3: Wrap the Yarn
Wrap the working yarn from left to right around the tip of the right needle, behind the work.
Step 4: Pull the Loop Through
Using the right needle, pull the wrapped loop forward through the stitch you inserted it into. You now have a new loop sitting on your right needle.
Step 5: Drop the Old Stitch
Let the old loop slide off the left needle. The new stitch remains secure on the right needle. Repeat for the next stitch!
Tip for Consistent Tension
Do not pull the yarn too tight after completing a stitch. The loops should slide easily back and forth on the needle. Knitting too tightly makes it hard to insert the needles on the next row.
See how it's done
Sometimes it's easier to see the technique in action. Here is a clear step-by-step video showing how to knit the knit stitch:
Video from VeryPink Knits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the knit stitch and stockinette stitch?
Stockinette stitch is a fabric made of knit and purl stitches together - you knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side (or just knit continuously in the round). If you knit every stitch on every row, you get garter stitch instead.
Why are my stitches uneven?
Uneven stitches are usually caused by inconsistent tension on the yarn you're holding. Try knitting more evenly by keeping consistent tension on the working yarn, and don't pull too tight after each stitch.
Does the yarn always have to stay in back when knitting?
Yes, for a standard knit stitch the working yarn should always stay behind the work. If the yarn ends up in front by accident, you'll end up with a twisted or incorrect stitch.
How do I know if I'm knitting correctly?
Count your stitches regularly and compare against the number you started with. If your stitches look even and the count matches, you're on the right track!