If you’re left handed and have always wanted to learn how to knit, you’re in luck! Knitting is a popular and relaxing craft that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels, including left handed individuals. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of knitting left handed, providing you with easy step-by-step instructions to get you started on your knitting journey.
First, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need. To knit left handed, you’ll need a pair of knitting needles and some yarn. Choose a pair of knitting needles that feels comfortable in your hands and a yarn that is appropriate for beginners, such as a medium weight acrylic yarn. Once you have your tools ready, it’s time to start knitting!
The first step in knitting left handed is to cast on. This is the process of creating the foundation row of stitches on your knitting needles. Hold one knitting needle in your left hand and the end of the yarn in your right hand. Make a slipknot by creating a loop with the yarn, and insert your knitting needle into the loop. Pull the yarn tight to secure the slipknot on your needle. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle.
Once you have cast on your stitches, you’re ready to start knitting left handed. Hold one knitting needle in your left hand and the other in your right hand. Insert the right hand needle into the first stitch on the left hand needle, from front to back. Take the end of the yarn in your right hand and wrap it counter-clockwise around the right hand needle. Use the right hand needle to pull the loop of yarn through the stitch on the left hand needle, creating a new stitch on the right hand needle. Repeat this process until you have worked all of the stitches on the left hand needle onto the right hand needle.
Continue knitting row by row, following the same process as before. Insert the right hand needle into the next stitch on the left hand needle, wrap the yarn around the right hand needle, and pull the loop through to create a new stitch. Repeat until you have worked all of the stitches on the left hand needle. As you continue knitting, you’ll notice that the stitches on the right hand needle are growing, while the stitches on the left hand needle are decreasing.
And that’s it! You’ve learned how to knit left handed. With practice, you’ll become more comfortable and proficient in your knitting skills. Experiment with different stitches and patterns to create beautiful and unique projects. Happy knitting!
Why Learn Left-Handed Knitting?
Learning to knit left-handed can offer a variety of benefits for left-handed individuals. Here are a few reasons why learning left-handed knitting can be advantageous:
- Comfort: Knitting left-handed allows left-handed individuals to work in a way that feels more natural and comfortable to them.
- Improved Speed and Efficiency: Left-handed knitting can often be faster and more efficient for left-handed individuals because they are able to use their dominant hand for the more intricate movements required in knitting.
- Easier to Follow Patterns: Many knitting patterns are written with right-handed instructions, which can be confusing and difficult for left-handed knitters to follow. By learning left-handed knitting, left-handed individuals can easily adapt patterns to suit their knitting style.
- Access to Left-Handed Resources: Learning left-handed knitting opens up a whole new world of resources specifically designed for left-handed individuals. From tutorials to patterns, there are numerous online and offline resources available to support left-handed knitters.
- Creative Freedom: Left-handed knitting allows left-handed individuals to explore their creativity and express themselves through their knitting projects without the limitations that right-handed techniques may impose.
- Community: Learning left-handed knitting can also connect left-handed individuals to a community of like-minded individuals who share the same knitting techniques and challenges. This sense of community can provide support, encouragement, and inspiration.
In conclusion, learning left-handed knitting can provide left-handed individuals with greater comfort, speed, flexibility, access to resources, and a sense of community. So, if you are a left-handed individual interested in knitting, learning left-handed knitting can be a valuable skill to acquire.
Materials Needed for Left-Handed Knitting
Before you start knitting left-handed, make sure you have the following materials. These are essential tools and supplies that will help you complete your knitting projects successfully.
1. Knitting Needles: Choose a pair of knitting needles that feel comfortable in your left hand. There are different types of knitting needles available, such as straight, circular, or double-pointed needles. Depending on the project you are working on, choose the appropriate needle size.
2. Yarn: Select a yarn that is suitable for your project. Yarn comes in different weights and fiber types. Choose a yarn that matches the recommended gauge for your pattern, and consider the drape and texture you want for your finished project.
3. Stitch Markers: Stitch markers are helpful tools for marking specific stitches or pattern repeats. They can be used to keep track of your progress and make it easier to follow instructions.
4. Measuring Tape: A measuring tape is essential for measuring your gauge and the size of your finished project. It helps ensure accuracy and consistency in your knitting.
5. Scissors: A pair of sharp scissors is needed to cut yarn when necessary. Choose a pair that is comfortable to hold and easy to use.
6. Yarn Needle: A yarn needle, also known as a tapestry needle, is used for weaving in loose ends and seaming your knitted pieces together. It should have a large eye and a blunt tip to make it easier to thread and work with.
7. Stitch Holders or Safety Pins: These are useful tools for holding stitches temporarily when you need to set them aside. They prevent stitches from unraveling and allow you to easily pick them back up when you’re ready.
8. Row Counter: A row counter is a handy device for keeping track of the number of rows or repeats in your pattern. It can be a physical counter that you wear around your wrist or a digital counter on your smartphone or tablet.
9. Knitting Bag or Storage Case: A knitting bag or storage case is a convenient way to keep all your knitting supplies organized and easily accessible. It helps protect your needles, yarn, and other tools from getting lost or damaged.
Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, you will be ready to start your left-handed knitting journey. Remember to take your time, practice, and have fun with your knitting projects!
Chapter 2: Getting Started with Left-Handed Knitting
In this chapter, we will cover the basic steps to get started with left-handed knitting. Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to begin your knitting journey.
1. Familiarize Yourself with Knitting Needles
Start by familiarizing yourself with different types and sizes of knitting needles. Left-handed knitters can use the same needles as right-handed knitters. It is important to choose the right needle size according to your yarn weight.
2. Choose the Right Yarn
Select a yarn that is suitable for beginners. Medium-weight yarns are a good choice as they are easier to work with. Choose a color and texture that you like and feel comfortable working with.
3. Learn the Basic Knit Stitch
The knit stitch is the foundation of knitting. Watch tutorial videos or read detailed instructions on how to do a knit stitch. As a left-handed knitter, you will be holding your yarn and needles in the opposite hand as right-handed knitters. Hold the yarn in your left hand and wrap it around the left needle.
4. Practice the Knit Stitch
Once you have learned how to do a knit stitch, practice it repeatedly to develop your skills. Start by casting on a few stitches and focus on maintaining an even tension. Practice until your stitches are neat and consistent.
5. Learn the Purl Stitch
Once you are comfortable with the knit stitch, move on to learning the purl stitch. The purl stitch is often used in combination with the knit stitch to create different stitch patterns and textures. Again, as a left-handed knitter, you will be holding your yarn and needles in the opposite hand as right-handed knitters.
6. Combine Knit and Purl Stitches
Once you have mastered the knit and purl stitches individually, practice combining them. This will allow you to create various stitch patterns, such as the stockinette stitch, garter stitch, and ribbing.
7. Experiment with Different Patterns
Once you are comfortable with the basic stitches, start experimenting with different knitting patterns. Follow patterns that are designed for left-handed knitters or try adapting right-handed patterns to suit your needs. This will help you develop your skills and create a variety of projects.
8. Join a Knitting Group or Community
Consider joining a local knitting group or an online knitting community. Interacting with other knitters will provide you with an opportunity to learn new techniques, share ideas, and get inspiration for your future projects.
By following these steps and practicing regularly, you will become more confident and skilled in left-handed knitting. Remember to be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of creating beautiful hand-knit items!
Step 1: Casting On with Your Left Hand
Before you can start knitting, you’ll need to learn how to cast on stitches. Cast on is the process of adding the initial stitches onto the knitting needle. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cast on with your left hand.
- Hold the knitting needle in your left hand and the working yarn in your right hand. Make sure there’s a tail of yarn extending from your left hand.
- Using your right hand, create a slipknot by making a loop with the yarn. Insert your left hand needle through the loop from front to back, making sure the tail is on the left side.
- Using your left hand, pull the tail gently to tighten the slipknot. Make sure it’s snug on the needle, but not too tight.
- Hold the yarn with your left hand, leaving a tail of about six inches. This tail will be used later for weaving in the ends.
- Now you’re ready to cast on more stitches. To do this, insert the right-hand needle into the slipknot loop from front to back, with the needle tip pointing towards the left. Wrap the working yarn, which is in your right hand, around the right-hand needle, moving from back to front.
- Use your left hand to pull the right-hand needle tip back through the slipknot, bringing the new loop with it. This creates the first cast-on stitch.
- Continue to repeat steps 5 and 6 to cast on the desired number of stitches. Each time you insert the right-hand needle into the slipknot loop, you’re adding one more stitch to your knitting.
- Once you have finished casting on, count the number of stitches on your left-hand needle to ensure you have the correct number for your project.
- You have now successfully cast on stitches with your left hand! You’re ready to move on to the next step.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the hang of it. With time and patience, you’ll be casting on stitches effortlessly with your left hand.
Step 2: Making a Knit Stitch in Left-Handed Knitting
Once you have cast on your stitches, you are ready to start making knit stitches in left-handed knitting. Follow these steps:
- Insert your left needle into the first stitch on your right needle from left to right, going through the front of the stitch.
- Hold your working yarn in your right hand and bring it up and over the left needle, creating a loop in front of the needle.
- Using your right-hand needle, bring it through the loop from back to front, going from right to left.
- Slip the stitch off the left needle, transferring it to the right needle.
Repeat these steps for each stitch until you have worked all the stitches on your left needle. Remember to keep your tension even and consistent throughout.
Tips:
- Take your time and practice the motions of the knit stitch until you feel comfortable.
- Make sure the working yarn is always held behind the needles.
- Keep your stitches loose enough to easily slide them off the left needle, but not too loose that they become uneven and sloppy.
With practice, you will become more comfortable and proficient in making knit stitches in left-handed knitting. Don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to get the hang of it – knitting is a skill that improves with practice!
Step 3: Purling Left-Handed
Once you have mastered the knit stitch, it’s time to learn how to purl. Purling is the second basic stitch in knitting and creates a different texture than the knit stitch. To purl left-handed, follow these steps:
- Hold the knitting needles in your left hand, with the working yarn in front of the needles.
- Insert the right needle from right to left into the first stitch on the left needle.
- Bring the working yarn over the right needle from back to front.
- Use your left index finger to push the right needle down and to the right, bringing it behind the left needle.
- Allow the old stitch to slip off the left needle, leaving the new stitch on the right needle.
Repeat these steps for each stitch on the left needle until you have purled all the stitches. Remember to keep the tension of the yarn consistent as you purl.
Once you have finished purling the row, you can turn the work and proceed with the next row, whether it’s knitting or purling, depending on the pattern instructions.
Practice purling left-handed until you feel comfortable with the motion. It may take some time and practice to build up speed and maintain consistency, but with patience, you will become proficient in purling left-handed.
Chapter 3: Left-Handed Knitting Techniques
Left-handed knitting may seem challenging for beginners, but with some practice and the right techniques, you’ll be able to create beautiful knitted items. In this chapter, we will cover some essential left-handed knitting techniques to help you get started.
1. Casting On
When casting on, left-handed knitters typically use the “long-tail cast-on” method, but with a few adjustments. Here’s how to do it:
- Hold the working yarn in your left hand and leaving a long tail.
- Make a slipknot by crossing the working yarn over the tail end and inserting the working yarn through the loop.
- Place the slipknot on the left needle and hold it in your left hand.
- With the right needle, insert it into the slipknot from left to right and behind the left needle.
- Wrap the working yarn around the right needle counterclockwise and pull it through the slipknot. This creates a new stitch on the right needle.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches.
2. Knitting Stitch
To knit a stitch as a left-handed knitter, follow these steps:
- Hold the working yarn in your left hand.
- Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle from back to front.
- Cross the right needle in front of the left needle and wrap the working yarn counterclockwise around it.
- Pull the right needle through the stitch, bringing the new stitch onto the right needle.
- Slide the old stitch off the left needle.
- Repeat steps 2-5 until you reach the end of the row.
3. Purling Stitch
The purl stitch for left-handed knitters is the mirror image of the knitting stitch. Here’s how to do it:
- Hold the working yarn in your left hand.
- Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle from back to front.
- Cross the right needle behind the left needle and wrap the working yarn counterclockwise around it.
- Pull the right needle through the stitch, bringing the new stitch onto the right needle.
- Slide the old stitch off the left needle.
- Repeat steps 2-5 until you reach the end of the row.
4. Binding Off
To bind off your knitting, use the following steps:
- Knit the first two stitches.
- Insert the left needle into the first stitch on the right needle.
- Lift the first stitch over the second stitch and off the right needle.
- Knit one stitch.
- Repeat steps 2-4 until you have one stitch remaining.
- Cut the working yarn, leaving a tail, and pull it through the last stitch to secure it.
With these left-handed knitting techniques, you can confidently embark on your knitting journey and create beautiful hand-knit items. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep practicing and enjoy the process! Happy knitting!
How to Increase Stitches Left-Handed
Increasing stitches in knitting is a fundamental skill that allows you to shape your knitted fabric and create various patterns and designs. If you are left-handed, the process of increasing stitches may feel different compared to right-handed knitting. However, with some practice and the right technique, you can easily learn how to increase stitches left-handed.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to increase stitches left-handed:
- Identify the type of increase: There are several types of increases, such as knit front and back (kfb), make one (m1), yarn over (yo), and lifted increase. Choose the increase that your pattern requires.
- Hold your knitting needle: Hold your left knitting needle in your left hand and the right knitting needle in your right hand. Maintain a comfortable grip on the needles.
- Work the increase: Depending on the type of increase, follow the instructions below:
- Knit front and back (kfb): Insert the left needle into the front loop of the stitch on the right needle, as if you were going to knit it. Instead of dropping the stitch off the right needle, bring the yarn to the front and knit into the back loop of the same stitch. Then, slide the original stitch off the right needle.
- Make one (m1): Lift the bar between the stitches with your left needle, from front to back. Place the lifted bar onto the left needle. Then, knit into the back loop of the lifted bar.
- Yarn over (yo): Bring the yarn to the front of your work, between the needles. Then, take the yarn over the right needle to the back of your work.
- Lifted increase: Using your left needle, lift the horizontal bar between the stitches from back to front. Place the lifted bar onto the left needle. Then, knit into the front loop of the lifted bar.
- Continue knitting: Once you have increased the stitches according to your pattern’s instructions, continue knitting the next row or round.
Remember to always refer to your knitting pattern for specific instructions on where and how to increase stitches. With practice, you will become more comfortable with left-handed knitting and be able to increase stitches effortlessly.
Happy knitting!+
How to Decrease Stitches Left-Handed
Decreasing stitches in knitting is an essential technique that helps shape your project. If you are left-handed, don’t worry. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to decrease stitches using your left hand.
- Identify the type of decrease you want to make. There are several techniques to choose from, including knit two together (K2tog), slip slip knit (SSK), and purl two together (P2tog).
- Work to the point in your pattern where you need to decrease stitches.
- If you’re using the K2tog decrease, here’s how to do it left-handed:
- Insert the right needle from left to right into the next two stitches on the left needle.
- Wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the right needle.
- Use your left hand to pull the right needle and new stitch through the two stitches on the left needle.
- Slide the original two stitches off the left needle.
- If you want to make an SSK decrease, follow these steps:
- Slip the next two stitches on the left needle one at a time as if to knit.
- Insert the left needle from left to right into the fronts of these two slipped stitches.
- Knit these two stitches together through their back loops.
- Slide the original stitches off the left needle.
- For a P2tog decrease, do the following:
- Purl the next two stitches together as if they were one stitch.
- Slide the original stitches off the left needle.
- Continue following your pattern or repeat these decrease steps as necessary.
With these instructions and some practice, you’ll soon master the art of decreasing stitches left-handed. Happy knitting!
Chapter 4: Left-Handed Knitting Patterns
Now that you have learned how to knit left-handed, it’s time to put your skills to use with some left-handed knitting patterns! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, there are plenty of patterns available that are specifically designed for left-handed knitters.
Left-handed knitting patterns typically have instructions written specifically for left-handed knitters, making it easier for you to follow along and create beautiful knitted items. These patterns may include specific instructions for left-handed techniques, such as how to hold the yarn or how to make certain stitches.
When choosing left-handed knitting patterns, it’s important to consider your skill level. If you’re a beginner, look for patterns that are labeled as “beginner-friendly” or “easy.” These patterns will typically have simpler designs and fewer advanced techniques involved.
If you’re a more experienced knitter, you can try your hand at more complex patterns. These patterns may include intricate stitch patterns, cables, or lacework. They will often provide a challenge and allow you to expand your knitting skills.
There are many resources available online where you can find left-handed knitting patterns. Websites like Ravelry and Knitting Paradise have extensive databases of patterns that you can search through. You can filter the search results to show only left-handed patterns, making it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.
In addition to online resources, there are also many books available that feature left-handed knitting patterns. These books may include a variety of patterns for different skill levels and projects. Some popular books for left-handed knitters include “Left-Handed Knitting” by Elisabeth Pearce and “Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting” by Sharon Turner.
To keep track of your progress and make following the pattern easier, it’s a good idea to have some knitting tools on hand. You may want to invest in stitch markers, a row counter, and a tape measure. These tools can help you stay organized and ensure that your finished project turns out just right.
Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to knitting. Don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to get the hang of left-handed knitting or if your first few projects don’t turn out exactly as you hoped. With practice and perseverance, you’ll soon become a confident left-handed knitter and be able to tackle any pattern with ease!
FAQ:
What are some basic knitting techniques for left-handed beginners?
Some basic knitting techniques for left-handed beginners include casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off. These are the essential techniques that you need to know to start knitting.
How can I hold the knitting needles as a left-handed knitter?
As a left-handed knitter, you can hold the knitting needles in your left hand, similar to how a right-handed knitter holds them in their right hand. The yarn will be held in your right hand and you will be using your left hand to control the tension.
Can left-handed knitters use the same patterns as right-handed knitters?
Yes, left-handed knitters can use the same patterns as right-handed knitters. The only difference is that they need to reverse the instructions. For example, if a pattern says to knit, a left-handed knitter would purl instead.
What are some common mistakes that left-handed beginners make when learning to knit?
Some common mistakes that left-handed beginners make include holding the knitting needles too tightly, dropping stitches, and having inconsistent tension. It’s important to practice and be patient with yourself as you learn.
What are some tips for left-handed knitters to improve their knitting skills?
Some tips for left-handed knitters to improve their knitting skills include practicing regularly, starting with simple projects, seeking out left-handed knitting resources and tutorials, and joining a knitting group or community for support and guidance.