The knit stitch is the most used stitch in knitting and it is usually the first stitch a knitter learns.
In knitting patterns it is abbreviated as “k” with a number. The number indicates how many stitches you should knit. For example, “k1” means “knit one stitch”, “k4” means “knit four stitches”. Instructions can also say “k all” or “k until end” meaning you should knit all the stitches in the row or round.
In this post, I will demonstrate how to knit the knit stitch in the Continetal Method.
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Preparation
To begin, cast on the required number of stitches for your project. If you just want to practice, cast on 15-20 stitches for a practice swatch.
The long-tail cast on is a suitable cast-on method.
How to hold the needles and yarn
You will hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand.
Before you begin, you need to tension the working yarn, so it is not too loose and is easy to pick. Wind the yarn around your left pinkie and over your left index finger. The working yarn is always at the back of your work unless the pattern indicates otherwise.
How to knit the knit stitch
Step 1: Insert the tip of the right needle into the first stitch from front to back.
Step 2: Move the needle tip from right to left to pick up the working yarn.
Step 3: Pull the yarn through the original stitch to form a new stitch.
Step 4: Move the right needle to the right to slip the worked stitch of the left needle. Tighten the stitch bit if needed.
Repeat steps 1-4 to knit the next stitch.
As you continue knitting, use your left thumb to move the stitches closer to the tip of the left needle and you right index finger to move the stitches along the right needle.
