How to Knit Stitch (Knitting Technique)

Easily learn how to Knit Stitch in just 4 basic steps for absolute beginners. My close-up photos and slow step-by-step video tutorial below teach you to become a knitter today. To begin, you will add stitches onto your needle, knit stitch your swatch, and then finish up by removing the stitches from your needle.

4-Steps of the Knit Stitch Technique

Preparation

Before starting the following 4-steps, begin by casting your stitches onto one straight knitting needle using your chosen cast-on method.

If casting on stitches is new to you, give one of these techniques a try:

• Thumb Method to Cast On Long-Tail (easiest)
• Traditional Cast On Long-Tail
• Cable Cast On

I teach the Knit Stitch Technique in the American Method of Knitting, also called the English Method. Since I am an American, and this is the technique I use while teaching my video tutorials, I consistently demonstrate the American Method. (The other style of knitting is called the Continental Method.)

Step 1: Prepare knitting needles and yarn to knit

• Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand.
• Hold the needle without any stitches in your right hand.
• With the yarn in the back of your work, insert the right needle into the front of the first stitch. You’ll insert your needle to the left of that stitch and through. Your right knitting needle will be underneath your left needle.

Looking for a complete one-stop course and become a confident knitter?
Check out my popular Absolute Beginner Knitting Series >

Step 2: Wrap yarn around the needle

• Wrap your yarn around the right needle from back to front, so that it rests between the two needles.

Step 3: Slide the right needle with yarn on it

• Slide the right needle down and bring the point forward through the stitch, bringing the yarn with it.

Step 4: Slip the old stitch off the left needle

• Slip the old stitch off the left needle. Make sure you only slip that first stitch off of the needle, don’t let any of the others off the needle yet.
• Now the new stitch is on your right needle.

Knit Stitch to End of Row

• Repeat these four steps for each stitch on your left needle.
• At the end of the row, all the new stitches are on your right needle now and your left knitting needle is empty. 
• You will now switch your knitting needles so that the empty needle is again in your right hand. Begin once more by knitting with the first stitch and beyond.

Remove Stitches from the Needle

Once you have completed your swatch, it’s time to take the stitches off your needle securely. Simply follow my Cast Off in 5 Steps lesson here >

Difference Between a Knit Stitch and a Knit Row

What is the difference between a knit stitch and a knit row? I get this question a lot! So, let’s take a closer look at the difference. These terms can sometimes be confusing to new knitters.

What is a Stitch?

A stitch is what you already are very familiar with creating. We created our slip knot and that was our first stitch in knitting. And then we Cast On more stitches.

Each of these cute little loops you cast onto your needles is called a stitch.

What is a Knit Row?

All along your needle is the row. All of these little stitches on your needle make up one row. You will learn a lot more about knit rows as we create knit stitch patterns.

Knit Stitch Project Ideas

The knit stitch is one of the two most basic stitches that will allow you to create some fun beginner-level projects. Get excited to learn more by exploring my favorite knitting projects you can create today!

Garter Stitch Knitting Pattern: When you knit every row on straight needles, you are creating the most basic pattern, the Garter Stitch. It is easy to knit, reversible, lays flat, and is stretchy. This 2-Row Repeat is an easy-level project. It’s a popular choice to knit your first scarf, blanket, and dishcloth. A fan favorite is my easy Bunny from a Square!