Gather materials: yarn, knitting needles (appropriate size), scissors, tapestry needle (for finishing), stitch markers (optional)
Make a slipknot and place it on the needle
Cast on stitches using your preferred cast-on method (e.g., long-tail cast on)
Hold the working yarn in your preferred hand and position the needles comfortably
Knit stitch:
Insert the right needle into the front loop of the left needle stitch
Wrap the working yarn around the right needle (from back to front)
Pull the new loop through
Slide the old loop off the left needle
Purl stitch (if needed for your pattern):
Insert the right needle into the front loop of the left needle stitch from back to front
Wrap the working yarn around the right needle
Pull the new loop through
Slide the old loop off the left needle
Follow your pattern for stitch order (e.g., knit every row for garter stitch, knit/purl pattern for stockinette)
Continue working row by row:
Knit/purl according to the pattern
Turn the work at the end of each row (unless knitting in the round)
Switching between knit and purl:
Use knit for knit stitches and purl for purl stitches as indicated
Manage tension:
Keep yarn tension consistent so stitches are even
Don’t pull too tight or leave too much slack
Add a simple practice project:
Knit a rectangle using garter stitch (knit every row)
Or practice stockinette (knit one side, purl the other)
Bind off (finish edge):
Knit the first 1–2 stitches
Pass the first stitch over the second stitch and off the needle
Repeat until one stitch remains
Cut yarn, pull through the last loop, and tighten
Weave in ends:
Thread yarn tail onto a tapestry needle
Weave through nearby stitches on the wrong side
Trim excess yarn
If knitting in the round:
Use circular needles or double-point needles
Join in the round carefully (avoid twisting)
Knit according to the round pattern and continue without turning