Stitch School Learn to Knit Knit your first set of coasters with Yarnspirations designer Katherine. Start Your First Knit Project! These simple garter stitch coasters are the ideal project for the beginner knitter! You will learn how to cast on stitches, how to work a knit stitch, and how to cast off. You will also learn how to change color when knitting in order to produce a color-blocked effect, adding interest to both the process of knitting and the final product! Worked in Lily Sugar'n Cream, you can easily customize these coasters by choosing two shades that reflect your personal style. They work up quickly, making them not only a fast skill-building project, but they're also a great gift idea, allowing you to show off your new skills! Materials 1 ball of Lily Sugar'n Cream for the main color 1 ball of Lily Sugar'n Cream in each stripe color you'd like Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles Tapestry needle If you don’t have your materials yet, you can order them here. Download Free Pattern Pattern Tutorial Watch as Katherine Poole-Fournier of the Yarnspirations Design Team shows you step-by-step how to knit coasters as your first project. In this knit tutorial video you'll learn How to Read a Pattern (0:33) Finding the End of Your Yarn (4:45) Making a Slipknot (5:15) Holding and Tensioning Your Working Yarn (5:57) Casting on Stitches (6:50) Knitting Your First Row (9:20) Changing Colors (13:10) Casting Off (15:20) Weaving in Ends (17:40) Tip Follow along at your own pace! Slow down or speed up the video by clicking the gear icon on the bottom right of the video player. Then click "Playback Speed" and adjust to your desired pace. Skills, Details & Handy Tips Need a little extra help? The diagrams and videos below help break down each individual technique, so you can master your new-found knit skills. Knitted Cast On Knit Stitch Casting off Knitwise Knitted Cast On Tip Make sure that you are not casting on too tightly! You want to be sure you can pass your needle through your cast on stitches when you work your first knit row. Knit Stitch Tip If you put down your work and come back to it mid-row, make sure you are working in the correct direction. Your working yarn will be attached to the last stitch worked on the right needle, meaning that all of the stitches on that needle have already been knit, and you should proceed across the other needle of unworked stitches. Casting off Knitwise Tip Again, you want to be sure you are not casting off too tightly, or your work will be warped. If you find you are having trouble casting off loosely, try using a needle a size or two larger for your cast off. Bonus Tips Counting Rows: To keep track of the number of rows worked, you may want to use a row counter, such as this one. This will ensure that all your coasters have the same number of rows worked! Changing Color:When changing colors, you will substitute Contrast A with Contrast B as your working yarn. Hold on to the “tails” of each yarn for the first few stitches to prevent the stitches at the beginning of the row from becoming too loose. Weaving in Tails:Your tails will be woven in on the wrong side of the work. When weaving tails in a multi-shade project, be sure that you are working each tail into a matching color section of the pattern. Show Us Your Stuff! We want to see your coasters! Let other like-minded newbies take a peek at your hard work by sharing a photo in our private Facebook Group. You can also tag us on Instagram using #Yarnspirations and #Learn2Knit. Don't forget to check out our yarn collection to find yarns of all colors, weights and fibers. Plus, browse our free knit patterns to find beginner-friendly patterns for blankets, hats, scarves, garments and more. Meet Katherine I am a pattern designer Yarnspirations. My mother taught me how to knit when I was a child. Before joining the Yarnspirations design team, I completed graduate research in politics and aesthetics. When I am not knitting or crocheting, I am most likely to be found at the park with my dog, Scylla.
