Become a Knitting Superstarâ„¢
Become a Knitting Superstarâ„¢
Become a Knitting Superstarâ„¢
Become a Knitting Superstarâ„¢
Become a Knitting Superstarâ„¢

Basic Knitting Techniques

After you learn to knit, basic techniques you’ll need to know to follow almost every pattern are checking your gauge, plus basic stitches like yarnover, slipped stitches, and pick-up-and-knit.

After you learn to knit, basic techniques you'll need to know to follow almost every pattern are checking your gauge, plus basic stitches like yarnover, slipped stitches, and pick-up-and-knit.

Video Knitting Course: Fearless Knitter

Fearless Knitter Cover

New knitters often get stuck knitting only scarves. This course will help you break out of beginner knitting and get you ready to knit hats, mittens, and more complex projects with confidence.


Video Knitting Course: Knit Faster!

Errors in your knitting technique slow you down. Speed up your knitting with efficient technique.


Featured Videos

Gauge – How to Check Your Gauge on Flat Knitting

Gauge – How to Check Your Gauge on Flat Knitting
Gauge – How to Check Your Gauge on Flat Knitting



Blog Post: The Fastest Way to Count Stitches And Rows In Knitting

By Liat Gat – Founder / Basic Knitting Techniques, Knit Faster / September 29, 2010 / 42 Comments

Counting stitches and rows in knitting is key to knowing where you are, what you’ve done, and how to get back on track if you get lost, which happens to the best of us. Here I show you the easiest and most efficient way to keep track in knitting.

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Blog Post: How To Change Colors in Knitting: Making Stripes

Lolcat tiger stripesBy Liat Gat – Founder / Basic Knitting Techniques / January 19, 2011 / 38 Comments

Making stripes in knitting is as easy as starting to knit with the new yarn. I show you how, plus tips like how to twist the yarn up the sides of your work so you don’t have to cut it, and how to make stripes on ribbing without an ugly purl-bump row.

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Blog Post: For Perfectionist Knitters: How To Knit a Gauge Swatch In a Hurry

A tiny swatchBy Liat Gat – Founder / Basic Knitting Techniques, Gauge, Yarn / November 4, 2011 / 35 Comments

Are you the kind of knitter who thinks you “should” knit a gauge swatch — and hardly ever does? You may be suffering from swatch perfectionism – when you believe swatches have to be perfect. Here’s how to overcome perfectionism and make a perfectly good swatch – FAST.

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Blog Post: How To Slip A Stitch In Knitting – Sl 1

How to Slip a Stitch in Knitting – Sl 1 squareBy Liat Gat – Founder / Basic Knitting Techniques / January 28, 2011 / 34 Comments

A slipped stitch makes a smooth edge on knitting. It can also make lovely stitch patterns come to life. A “slip 1” is as easy as moving a stitch from your left to right needles without knitting. Always do it purlwise unless otherwise instructed.

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Blog Post: The Trick To Counting Rows and Changing Colors Smoothly on Garter Stitch

Dr Who Scarf 300x300 1By Liat Gat – Founder / Basic Knitting Techniques / January 22, 2011 / 23 Comments

Counting rows on Garter stitch is a little more complicated than the “2 rows for every ridge” rule-of-thumb. Here I show you how to be sure of your rows, and also when to switch colors to make perfect-looking stripes on Garter stitch.

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Blog Post: How To Pick Up and Knit Stitches Two Ways

Pick-Up ArtistBy Liat Gat – Founder / Basic Knitting Techniques, Heels / January 14, 2011 / 16 Comments

Picking up stitches is called for anytime you want to start knitting from an edge that has no live stitches. That’s right, you can create stitches on either a finished or a raw edge with the “pick up and knit” technique. Here’s how.

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Blog Post: Knit And Purl Yarnovers In Any Combination

By Liat Gat – Founder / Basic Knitting Techniques / April 22, 2011 / 16 Comments

“Yarnover” means to put a loop of yarn around the right-hand needle. Here’s how to do yarnovers before and after both knit and purl stitches. This is a good refresher for those just learning to knit.

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Blog Post: What “Work Even” Means And How To Do It

By Liat Gat – Founder / Basic Knitting Techniques / December 28, 2010 / 13 Comments

“Work even” or “work all stitches as they appear” means to knit all knit stitches and purl all purl stitches. To do so, you much be able to recognize a knit or purl stitch when you see it. Here’s how to remember which is which.

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Free and Premium Videos

Count Stitches by Fives

Free Video
Count Stitches by Fives
Count Stitches by Fives


How to Join a New Ball of Yarn/Change Colors and Make Stripes

Free Video
How to Join a New Ball of Yarn/Change Colors and Make Stripes
How to Join a New Ball of Yarn/Change Colors and Make Stripes


How to Count Rows on Garter Stitch

Free Video
How to Count Rows on Garter Stitch
How to Count Rows on Garter Stitch

This video shows you how to count rows on garter stitch. Use the tail to know if you are looking at the right side while you count ridges.


How to Keep Track of Your Knitting – Count Rows Easily

Free Video
How to Keep Track of Your Knitting – Count Rows Easily
How to Keep Track of Your Knitting – Count Rows Easily


Gauge – How to Check Your Gauge on Flat Knitting

Free Video
Gauge – How to Check Your Gauge on Flat Knitting
Gauge – How to Check Your Gauge on Flat Knitting

Make a swatch (a small square of knitting at least 3 inches wide), block it, and then check your gauge. If your stitches are too small, use a needle one size bigger. If your stitches are too big, use a needle one size smaller.

You don’t always have to check your gauge (I know, you won’t anyway), but please do it on projects that you really need to fit a certain size. Watch the video to see how it’s done.


P/u (Pu) and Knit – Pick up and Knit

Free Video for Subscribers

How to pick up and knit stitches in knitting:

Socks patterns and mitten patterns both call for you to pick up stitches.

Top-down socks have a heel flap which usually has a slipped-stitch edge that you need to pick up into, whereas mitten thumbs have a raw edge.


K – Knit Stitch – American Style

Free Video
K – Knit Stitch – American Style
K – Knit Stitch – American Style


Long-Tail Cast-On

Free Video for Subscribers


Sl – Slip 1 – Slip a Stitch

Free Video for Subscribers


Weave in Tails/Ends on Stockinette Stitch

Free Video for Subscribers


Blocking Knitting – How to Block Your Work

Free Video for Subscribers



Recommended Notion: Knit Chek Gauge-Checker by Susan Bates

Susan Bates Knit-Chek Gauge Checker

A gauge-checker is essential for ensuring your knit projects come out the right size. Make a small swatch (or a big one, if you’re a perfectionist), block it, and lay the gauge-checker over the stitches. Count how many stitches are in 2 inches and divide by two. That’s your gauge.

Buy Knit Chek Gauge-Checker online


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