Whatever you want to know about knitting, from basic stitches to advanced techniques, you can find it here on Gathered!
Browse our huge knitting techniques library to learn new skills, grow your confidence, and go from complete beginner to accomplished knitter.
The Gathered guide to knitting techniques
We have so many awesome knitting tutorials on Gathered, we thought we'd round them up to make them easy for you to find.
We'll start with the basics, taking you through every step of creating a knitting project. Then we'll introduce more advanced skills that allow you to play with colour, cables and more.
And finally we'll help you go your own way, with guides on altering patterns to fit and even designing your own from scratch.
Are you ready? Let's get knitting!
Here's what you'll discover in our library:
Start here:
- How to begin knitting
- The basic stitches
- All about yarn
- Alternative knitting methods
- How to read knitting patterns
- Shaping your knitting with increases and decreases
- Grafting, seaming and finishing
- Blocking your knitting
- Caring for your finished knits
Take it further:
Essential knitting techniques you need to know
Start knitting here!
First off, let's make sure that knitting is the craft for you! In our knitting vs crochet showdown we cover all the differences between the two crafts, their pros and cons, and why you might choose one over the other.
If you're ready for your first steps, our knitting for beginners guide is the place to start. All you need is an hour or so of peace and quiet, plus some needles and yarn.
To get your stitches on and off your needles you need to know how to cast on knitting and how to cast off knitting. In these guides we explain lots of different methods so you can pick the ones that work best for your project.
Master the basic stitches
The first stitches you'll learn in knitting, and the two stitches that form the basis of everything else, are the knit stitch and purl stitch. Combining these stitches produces almost endless possibilities for patterns and textures.
The basic patterns you need to know are garter stitch (knit every stitch), stocking stitch (alternating rows of knits and purls) and rib stitch (alternating knits and purls on the same row).
Our full library of knitting stitch patterns features over a hundred different designs for you to try, including easy beginner patterns plus more advanced cables, lace, slip stitches and more.
Learn all about yarn
One of the joys of knitting is all the beautiful yarn to choose from. You'll probably want to start with a basic DK yarn or cheap chunky yarn from your local yarn shop, but it's often worth spending a bit more for gorgeous hand dyed yarns and the best British yarns.
Find out all about the various weights of yarn and make sure you know your DK from your worsted with our yarn weight conversion chart and beginner's guide.
If you're tempted to use a different yarn to the one recommended in your pattern, don't make the swap until you've checked out our advice on how to substitute yarns.
Choose the right needles to go with your yarn with our guide to knitting needle sizes and types of knitting needles. To be sure you've got the right combination, remember to check your tension – our knitting gauge guide explains why it's important.
Wondering if you can make your own yarn? You're not alone! Pick up a whole new hobby with our introduction to drop spindling for beginners.
Try different knitting methods
In our beginner's guides we show you how to knit using the English method ('throwing'), but there are other means of creating your stitches too.
You might find you knit faster or more smoothly using the Continental knitting method ('picking'), or that a mix of both suits you best – otherwise known as Combination knitting.
Alternatively, why not try knitting without needles altogether, with our guides to finger knitting, arm knitting and French knitting? These are all fun ways to get a feel for how knitted stitches are constructed – and ideal for getting kids into the craft as well.
Discover how to read patterns
Now you understand the basics, you're ready to follow a pattern – but what do all those instructions mean? We can help with our dictionary of knitting abbreviations and knitter's glossary of common terms.
Don't cast on without consulting our how to read knitting patterns guide, which takes you through all the elements you'll see in a pattern, from shopping lists to sizing tables.
You might also need to know how to read charts in knitting patterns – but don't worry, it's easier than you may think!
Shape your knitting with increases and decreases
To make anything other than a simple square or rectangle, you need to know how to add and remove stitches from the needle to change the shape of your fabric.
We show you how to increase stitches in knitting with techniques including M1, kfb and yo, and how to decrease using ssk, k2tog and more. Master these stitches to take on more complex patterns, including lace.
Putting it all together: graft, seam and finish your knitting
For any project that uses multiple pieces, one of the final steps is sewing it all together.
We'll take you through the process step by step in how to finish knitting like a pro, as well as showing you how to weave in ends so your precious work doesn't unravel. Be sure to practise mattress stitch for a flawless finish too.
Along the way you might also need Kitchener stitch, a clever way to graft two sets of live stitches together, and Swiss darning, which is handy for fixing any little mistakes in colourwork.
And finally don't forget the fastenings! Discover how to create perfect buttonholes with our masterclass – and we'll even show you how to make your own buttons to go in them.
Get flawless results with blocking
So you've cast off your knitting, sewn it up and woven in the ends – but it doesn't stop there! For professional results you need to block your knitting, which is a special method of washing and stretching your finished fabric to make it look its best.
Make sure you have the right tools for the job with our buyer's guides to sock blockers and blocking boards.
Then learn the basics in our how to block knitting projects guide, and follow our instructions for your specific project with our advice on how to block lace knitting, how to block knitted garments, how to block accessories and how to block socks.
Care for your finished knits
Keep your knits in tip-top condition with our aftercare guides. Why not try a homemade no-rinse wool wash for a gentle alternative to regular detergents?
Occasionally knits can develop holes, whether from wear and tear or the dreaded moths. Don't throw them out! With our tutorials on how to darn a hole and the art of darning socks you'll be able to make them look as good as new again.
Find your perfect pins
The right tools make all the difference! Choose the best knitting needles for beginners with our guide.
Knitting techniques to take your skills to the next level
Go beyond the basics with this collection of knitting techniques for more experienced knitters. Master knitting in the round, colourwork, lace, cables and so much more…
Create tubes by knitting in the round
Add a new dimension to your knits by knitting in the round. This ingenious technique enables you to create seamless tubes for sleeves, hats, socks and much more.
There are a few different ways to do it, including knitting with circular needles, learning how to knit with double-pointed needles and also knitting in the round with two circular needles.
The Magic Loop method is popular too, particularly amongst sock knitters.
To make round shawls or hats that start from the middle, you'll also need to know how to do a circular cast-on. Discover three techniques in our guide on how to knit from the centre out.
Master the fine art of lace
Have you been wowed by stunning, intricate lace fabrics? Give them a go with our beginner's guide to lace knitting.
Follow our lace knitting tips and advice on how to avoid and fix lace mistakes, and try using a knitting lifeline so you can easily rip back and correct any errors.
Learning how to join yarn in knitting enables you to use the Russian join and other techniques to join yarn in the middle of a row – even when working complex lace!
Do the twist with cable knitting
Discover how to cable knit and add beautiful criss-cross textures to your knitted fabrics.
For more advanced projects, you may need to know how to read cable charts and how to work shaping in knitted cables. You can even create multi-coloured designs with our guide to intarsia cables.
Teach yourself how to cable without a cable needle to make your cabling even quicker.
Use colourwork to knit a rainbow
Add some new hues to your knits with our guides to all the colourwork knitting techniques you could ever wish to know.
Upgrade basic stripes with our pro tips on knitting stripes without purl 'blips' and creating helical stripes that avoid the jog at the end of the round.
Learn Fair Isle knitting to take on traditional and modern stranded colourwork. Master catching Fair Isle floats and follow our Fair Isle tips for flawless results.
Don't be afraid to give steeking a try too – this technique for working Fair Isle in the round then cutting it open to create a flat design really is easy when you know how.
Next discover intarsia knitting and create bold pictures and colourblock patterns, keeping it neat with our top intarsia tips.
Then boost your skills with magical double knitting to create fully reversible colourwork fabrics!
Make your own socks
Socks are a must-have knitting skill, so grab some sock yarn and a beginner sock knitting pattern and give them a go!
We can help you create your perfect pair every time. Learn how to shape the toes to fit with our guide on knitting perfect socks for every foot shape, and try different heel designs with our afterthought sock heels and short-row sock heels tutorials.
Alter patterns to perfection
One of the advantages of making your own clothes is being able to alter them to fit, and once you're confident with the basics of garment knitting the next step is to start customising.
Got a jumper that isn't comfy? We can help you figure out how to lengthen and shorten knits, and how to add width to finished knits. With a bit of maths you can also adjust set-in sleeves so they fit better around your upper arms.
And for anyone who prefers circular to flat knitting, here's how to convert a flat pattern to knitting in the round.
Design your own patterns
Are you ready to take the plunge and start creating your own patterns? We've got lots of guides on Gathered to help you do just that.
Why not begin by making your own hat? Discover how to design a hat with our masterclass from the wonderful Woolly Wormhead, and take tips on how to design a Fair Isle hat pattern from knitting and crochet expert Jane Crowfoot.
We can even walk you through the trickiest bit of the pattern, with in-depth advice on how to shape the crown of a hat.
You could also create a treat for your feet as you learn how to design your own socks, or aim big with our guides on shawl design for beginners and tips for designing shawls.
And make sure you play around with knitted pleats and tucks to add texture and dimension to plain garments.
Take it further with advanced knitting techniques
Boost your skills with these knitting techniques for confident knitters. Delve into some new stitches and expert methods with masterclasses from The Knitter magazine on a whole range of topics.
Decorative techniques
Add a touch of sparkle to your fabrics with our guide on knitting with beads, and take the tedium out of bobbles in lacework by knitting nupps with a crochet hook.
Or why not create cosy winter accessories with added fleece insulation by following our knitting with thrums tutorial?
Advanced shaping
Make jumpers that fit to perfection as you learn how to shape armholes in knitting and how to create wrapless short rows to add shaping at the shoulders and bust.
Advanced stitch techniques
Don't limit yourself to your go-to cast-ons and cast-offs! When an elastic edge is required, turn to our guides on the German twisted cast-on and stretchy bind offs to find your new favourite technique.
The same goes for the basic stitches. How's about a different way to purl? Give the Norwegian purl a try – it's a great option for Continental knitters.
Last but not least, we have brioche stitch. This squishy, reversible stitch is a real head-turner, and definitely worth adding to your repertoire. We show you how to knit brioche stitch in two colours, and cover advanced brioche knitting with the addition of increases and decreases.
Become an instant expert
Want to improve your knits fast? Check out 10 ways to be a better knitter for quick fixes everyone should try!
Teach yourself to knit with Gathered
Whatever your skill level and abilities, there's always another knitting technique to learn.
Are you thinking about casting on your first stitches, or ready to take on thrums, nupps and brioche? However far along you are in your knitting journey, Gathered is by your side.
Dive into our tutorials and try something new today!
Find your perfect pattern
We have a wealth of free knitting patterns to complement your new-found skills, so browse our collection to find your next project.
