Have you ever wanted to learn how to knit but never learned the basics? Here is a tutorial for the most essential knitting technique: the knit stitch. If you can’t watch the video right now, keep reading to see step-by-step photo instructions.

This video assumes you already know how to cast on. If you haven’t learned yet how to cast on, check out my videos on the backward loop cast-on and the cable cast-on.

How to knit the knit stitch

Cast on however many stitches you need for your project. In this example I have cast on 15 stitches using 3.75mm needles and an 8ply acrylic yarn.

There are four steps to knitting the knit stitch (NOTE: If you’re left-handed, follow these instructions but in mirror image – when I say left hand, use your right, and vice versa).

Step 1

Hold the needle with cast on stitches in your left hand, and the empty needle in your right hand. Insert the right hand needle into the top stitch of the left hand needle, from the bottom of the stitch, so the right hand needle comes out behind the left hand needle.

Step 2

Take the working yarn (the yarn which is attached to the ball of yarn) and wrap it upwards once around the front of the right hand needle.

Step 3

Pull the right hand needle out from behind the left hand needle (and out of the stitch), bringing the working yarn with it.

Step 4

Keep your new stitch on your right hand needle. Drop the first stitch off the left hand needle (the stitch you just worked into).

That’s it! Once you’ve worked a full row of knit stitch, simply swap your right hand needle into your left hand, and start again!

A piece of knitting that’s worked completely in knit stitch is called garter stitch. Check out my post on things to make from garter stitch squares. You might also like the free pattern to my Garter Be Kidding Me bow headband.