10 Things I wish I knew as a beginner knitter

Knitting is like magic—you take a ball of yarn, wave some needles around, and poof! you’ve got a scarf (or, if I’m honest, when I started knitting…. a wonky long rectangle that was supposed to be a scarf). But every experienced knitter has that moment of looking back and thinking, “If only I had known then what I know now.”  

If you’re a beginner knitter, these 10 knitting tips could make things less daunting and frustrating. As they say, “Anything is easy if you know how.”

1. Cracking the Knitting Code

Knitting patterns can look like a secret code at first—K2, PSSO, YO? 🤯 But don’t worry! You don’t need a decoder ring, just a good list of abbreviations.

Once you get the hang of it, reading patterns becomes second nature—like following a recipe, but with yarn instead of flour.

2. Knit and Purl: The V and the Bump—Your Secret Reminder

Knitting can be so relaxing that your mind drifts off… and suddenly, you have no idea if you’re supposed to be knitting or purling. (I've all been there many times!) Here's a nifty trick to tell the difference between a knit stitch and a purl stitch.

• If the stitch on your needle looks like a little V, it’s a knit stitch.

• If it looks like a bump, it’s a purl stitch.

Once you get the hang of spotting the Vs and bumps, keeping track becomes much easier—no more guesswork or backtracking.

3. Keep Track with a Row Counter App

Knitting is relaxing… until you realise you’ve lost count of your rows and have no idea if you're on row 12 or 22.  Instead of relying on memory, you can use a row counter app!

There are plenty of free mobile apps that let you track each row. No more scribbling on scraps of paper or trying to remember if you counted that last row. Just a quick tap, and you’re good to go!

Your future self will thank you—especially if you’re working on a big project with lots of shaping or colour changes.

4. Not All Yarns Are Friendly

Oh, the heartbreak of choosing the wrong yarn. Some fibres are stretchy and forgiving (hello, wool!), while others—like cotton—can be unreasonably stubborn. And don’t even get me started on yarn that splits mid-stitch. The trick? Get to know your yarn before committing. It’s like dating… but fuzzier.

5. Gauge Swatches Are Annoying but Essential

I get it—you just want to dive into the project. But skipping a gauge swatch is like baking a cake without using precise measurements. You could end up with a sweater two sizes too big (been there, done that) or a hat that only fits your cat. A bit of time invested in swatching can save hours of regret.

6. Circular Needles Are Game-Changers

Think circular needles are just for knitting in the round? Think again! They’re amazing for flat projects too, because they help distribute the weight of your knitting, making things way easier on your hands. Plus, no more accidentally stabbing the person next to you with long straight needles. Win-win! Personally, I use circular needles for all my knitting projects.

7. Blocking Turns "Meh" Into "Wow!"

Blocking is like giving your knitting a spa day. It evens out stitches, improves drape, and helps your project hold its shape. Think of it like ironing your clothes—except gentler and way more satisfying.

There are a few different methods of blocking, depending on the yarn you’re using. Your knitting pattern should include blocking instructions. It’s an important step not to skip.

8. Stitch Markers Will Save Your Sanity

Ever lost track of a pattern repeat and had to count your stitches for the hundredth time? Stitch markers to the rescue! They help you keep track of where you are, so you can spend less time counting and more time enjoying your knitting.

9. The Internet Is Your Best Knitting Friend

There’s no need to suffer through confusing instructions alone—LoveCrafts has patterns galore, and YouTube is full of step-by-step tutorials. Don't know how to make a M1B or what it even means? No problem... Google it. If you’re stuck, someone somewhere has made a video about it. Use these resources, and suddenly, knitting doesn’t feel so mysterious.

10. Lot Numbers Matter—Avoid the Dreaded Shade Shift

Here’s something I wish I had known before I ended up with a sweater that looked almost the same colour… but not quite.

Yarn is dyed in batches, and each batch has a lot number printed on the label. Even if two skeins have the same colour name, a different lot number can mean a slightly different shade—sometimes subtle, sometimes very obvious (and frustratingly noticeable in your finished project).

Tip: Always buy enough yarn from the same lot number for your entire project.

Final Thought: Knitting Is Supposed to Be Fun!

Sure, you might knit a sleeve that could fit a giraffe or a scarf that somehow turned into a triangle. But that’s part of the adventure. Knitting isn’t about perfection—it’s about enjoying the process, learning new skills, and creating something with love. Happy knitting!