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How to Knit and Purl (Knitting Lessons for Crocheters,…

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We're happy to have you back at BiCrafty Boot Camp: Knitting Lessons for Crocheters. In Lesson One we learned how to slip knot, cast on and knit stitch. In Lesson Two, we learned the knitting basics of garter stitch and casting off, including a video tutorial for all of it. Now we're going to learn how to knit and purl. Actually, we already know how to knit, but we're going to add the purl stitch, which is the other core foundational stitch in knitting. And once we know how to do that, we'll be able to knit stockinette stitch.

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knit purl and stockinette

Crocheter's Edge

Crocheters Tips to Learn Knitting

As a crocheter, you've got an edge up on the knit and purl stitch because you're already used to working a similar stitch in slightly different ways. For example, if you know how to front post crochet and back post crochet then you know how to work the exact same hand movement in a slightly different manner. This is the same idea.

Purl stitch is the opposite of knit stitch; in fact, a stitch looks like a purl on one side and a knit stitch on the other. Remember the quarter example in the video from lesson 2?

If the backside of a knit stitch is a purl, then the backside of a purl is a knit. Therefore, if you want to work Garter stitch flat (not in the round) you can either knit every row or all purl every row. Choose your favorite and get this wonderful stitch.

Do You Need To Know The Purl Stitch?

As a crocheter, if you can single crochet then you can make anything that's square or rectangular with that one stitch. The other stitches are just a combination of yarn overs and where to put the stitch. As you have progressed with your crochet, so too have you progressed with your knowledge of the different crochet stitches.

The same is true with knitting. Now that you can cast on, knit, and bind off you are a knitter. And yes, with the knit stitch you can make many things. But, if you add a purl stitch to your repertoire then the entire knitting world opens up for you!

As always, it is very important that you PRACTICE and keep practicing all the stitches. You need to create that muscle memory. YOU GOT THIS!

What Is Purl Stitch?

There are two key foundational stitches in knitting: knit stitch and purl stitch. They're essentially opposites of one another.

Purl Stitch vs Knit Stitch

Remember that in knit stitch, the yarn is at the back of the work. So the big difference we start with when learning how to knit and purl is that in purl stitch the yarn is at the front of the work. Additionally, in knit stitch, you're coming at the loop with the right hand needle from the left side. In contrast, with purl stitch, you're coming at the loop from the right side.

How to Purl Stitch

how to knit purl stitch

So, you basically do the same thing that you do with knit stitch. However, you insert the needle from right to left.

Here's how to purl stitch:

Here are the written instructions:

  • We already have our knit rows from our first lessons. Hold the needle with the knit stitches on it in your left hand (same as you would if you were going to knit another row.)
  • Use the left hand's pointer finger to pull the working yarn down, towards the bottom of the knit fabric, creating some tension to work with.
  • Insert the point of the right hand needle into the first stitch from the right side to the left side.
  • Lift up the pointer finger with the working yarn on it, wrapping the yarn around the needle counter clockwise.
  • When you come back around with that yarn, press the pointer finger down again, creating that same type of tension.
  • Move the right hand needle to bring the stitch off of the left needle and on to the right needle. And that's purl stitch. You just go in, around, out, and off. Stitch by stitch. Continue it across the row.

If you want to practice, you can create a purl garter stitch swatch. Just make one row of purl stitches after another. When you finish a row, move the right hand needle to your left hand so that the yarn is all in your left hand and purl again.

What Is Stockinette?

how to knit stockinette stitch

Once you know how to knit and purl, you can work the classic knit technique known as stockinette. Stockinette stitch is simply alternating rows of knit stitch and rows of purl stitch. As a crocheter, imagine that you work a row of single crochet then a row of double crochet, repeating that again and again to make a crochet square. That's comparable to stockinette stitch in that you're going to alternate two stitches you've learned – a row of knit stitch then a row of purl stitch.

Knitters Tip for Crocheters

knitters tip for crocheters

Stockinette stitch curls at the edges. It just happens, so don't freak out when it does. As an experienced crocheter but new knitter, you might immediately think that you're doing something wrong – perhaps with your tension – when you see it start to curl up. However, that's not true at all. Stockinette stitch can and does curl up. It's supposed to with this stitch. It's okay!

It is also important that the curl will not block out in stockinette. You will have to add a border of some kind to a stockinette fabric to keep it flat. Coincidentally, a crochet border/edging would look nice.

Twisting Purls is a common mistake that beginner knitters make. This occurs when the yarn is wrapped around the right hand needle clockwise vs counter clockwise when purling, thus seating the stitch on the needle with the back leg forward instead of the front leg forward. When this happens, the following row if difficult to knit through the front leg and when it is, the resulting stitch is twisted. It is important to recognize these twisted stitches and fix what is causing them. **Marly will be going over this in this weeks Live Class**

A Marly reminder: if you can learn to crochet then you can learn to knit. In fact, learning crochet might be harder. In crochet, there are so many different places you can insert the hook, often accidentally, to create mistakes. In knitting, you just work into the row that's on the needle. You've got this. Practice.

How to Knit Stockinette

Here's how to knit stockinette stitch:

  • Cast on any number of stitches.
  • Knit one row.
  • Purl one row.
  • Knit one row.
  • Purl one row.
  • Etc.

This Week's Pattern

I thought it would be fun to make some Beginner Knit Mug Rugs. Over the next couple weeks we will add to this collection of mug rugs by making some with stripes, lace and texture. But for now we are going to get some stockinette stitch ones made.

As you learned, stockinette naturally curls so it is important that we have a border around a piece so it will lay flat. Because of that, these mug rugs have a garter stitch border. That means, you get to combine all your learned knitting skills with this weeks homework.

Let’s make some Beginner Knit Mug Rugs

Stockinette stitch mug rug free knitting pattern

Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn (sample in Chic Sheep)

Needles: Size 8 (5mm)

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle

Notes: Mug Rug comes in two sizes because I know there are some of us who like our BIG cups of coffee ☕️. Just like in crochet patterns, the larger of the two sizes is in parentheses. When given two numbers, follow the number that coincides with the size knit mug rug you are making.

Beginner Knit Mug Rugs Pattern Stockinette

BiCrafty Boot Camp knit mug rug free pattern

Using the long tail cast on, CO 25 (35) sts. (Reminder: We covered the long tail cast-on in week one.)

Rows 1-4: Knit

Row 5 (WS): Knit 5, place a marker, [move the yarn between the needles from back to front] purl to last 5, place a marker, [move the yarn between the needles from front to back] knit 5.

Row 6 (RS): Knit

Row 7 (WS): Knit to marker, slip marker, [move the yarn between the needles from back to front] purl to marker, slip marker, [move the yarn between the needles from front to back] knit to end.

Repeat rows 6 & 7 until piece measures 4 (5)” [10 (12.7)cm] from cast on edge, ending after a RS row.

Last 4 rows: Knit

Bind off.

Additional Patterns and Video Tutorials For Stockinette

At this stage of BiCrafty Boot Camp, you might be interested in these videos:

Or these patterns:

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm a crocheter learning to knit… is the purl stitch going to be super hard?

Honestly… you've already got an edge up on it! Since you know how to do things like front and back post stitches in crochet, you're used to doing the same hand movement in different ways. The purl stitch is just the opposite of the knit stitch, so it's a similar idea. You got this!

Do I really *need* to learn the purl stitch if I can already knit?

Yes! If you can already cast on, knit, and bind off, you're a knitter, and you can make lots of things. But… adding the purl stitch to your knitting toolbox? That's when the whole knitting world really opens up for you! Practice makes perfect, so keep at it.

What's the main difference between knitting and purling?

So here's the thing… they're basically opposites! When you knit, your yarn is at the back of your work. But for purling, the yarn needs to be at the front. Also, when you insert your needle, you come at the loop from the left side for knitting, but you come at it from the right side for purling.

I'm seeing my stockinette stitch curling at the edges… is something wrong?

Oh, don't freak out! That's totally normal. Stockinette stitch just does that… it's supposed to curl! It can be a bit surprising when you're used to crochet, but it's not a tension problem or anything you're doing wrong. It's just a feature of the stitch.

My purls look… twisted. What am I doing wrong?

Ah, that's a common mistake beginner knitters make! You might be wrapping your yarn clockwise instead of counter-clockwise when you purl. This seats the stitch funny on the needle, and makes it tricky to knit into later. Keep practicing that counter-clockwise wrap!

5 Eco-Friendly Yarn Options for Earth Day

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In our recent post on eco-friendly knitting and crochet, we shared ten tips for how to green your crafting. Several of those were related to yarn. However, this is a complex topic, so we thought we'd make sure you could learn more about it with a post all about eco-friendly yarn.

Note: There are affiliate links in this post. I get a percentage of sales from clicks on those links. Your price doesn’t increase. Thank you for your support.

eco-friendly yarn options

What Is Eco-Friendly Yarn?

Some yarn is really bad for the planet. This is due to a combination of the material itself and the practices used to harvest the yarn. For example, as much as you might love acrylic yarn, it can be harmful to the environment and toxic to the people making it. Of course, if you get a more sustainable yarn (such as wool) from a company with bad practices, it might still not be as green as it could be. Nevertheless, the more you learn about eco-friendly yarn options, the more power you'll have to choose for yourself.

5 Eco-Friendly Yarn Options

Despite the differences in sustainability practices among businesses, you can generally assume that the following five options are relatively eco-friendly yarn:

1. Tencel Yarn

Although not easy to find, this is one of the best eco-friendly yarns for knitting and crochet. It's made from sustainably grown and harvested eucalyptus trees.

Check out: Tina Tape Yarn by Wool and the Gang

2. Silk Yarn

Silk yarn can be made in an eco-friendly way. It's not a vegan yarn option, since it's made by animals (silkworms) but it can be harvested in an earth-friendly manner. Moreover, silk decomposes easily, so it won't sit in a landfill over time.

Check out: Paton's Silk Bamboo Yarn which is 70% bamboo and 30% silk.

3. Alpaca Yarn

Many animal fibers need a lot of chemicals to process them into yarn. However, alpaca is naturally lanolin-free. As a result, it doesn't require that harsh processing. That makes alpaca yarn one of the most eco-friendly yarns made from animal fur.

Check out: Sugar Bush Nanaimo which is an alpaca silk blend.

4. Food Yarn

Did you know that you can get corn yarn, made from the fibers of corn husks? What about banana fiber yarn? And there is soy yarn which comes from the leftovers of tofu production. All of these are eco-friendly yarn options.

Check out: Kaleidoscope Banana Fiber Yarn from Darn Good Yarn

5. Organic Yarn

You can find organic animal yarn (such as organic wool) as well as organic plant yarn (such as organic cotton yarn.) Generally speaking, organic wool comes from humanely-raised sheep living on chemical-free land. Likewise, organic cotton comes from plants that are pesticide-free and not genetically modified. Furthermore, the fiber isn't chemically processed to make it into yarn. The less chemicals involved in the production, the better for the Earth.

Other Tips for Finding Eco-Friendly Yarn

To get started with greening your yarn choices, look for the options above. However, you might also want to consider these tips:

  • Plant yarn is usually more eco-friendly than animal yarn. Consider hemp, jute, linen, nettle, and bamboo. You can also sometimes find paper yarn and cork yarn.
  • Consider using recycled yarn, such as leftover fabric from the fiber industry that has been turned into yarn.
  • Research the companies that you buy yarn from to learn about their sustainability practices.
  • Look for the label that says a yarn is Oeko-Tex certified. It's free of hundreds of earth-damaging chemicals. One example: Red Heart Bunches of Hugs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a yarn “eco-friendly”?

Several factors! Natural fibers (wool, cotton, linen, hemp) are biodegradable, unlike synthetics that persist in landfills. Organic certification means the fiber was grown without synthetic pesticides. Recycled yarn (recycled cotton from fabric scraps, recycled polyester from plastic bottles) diverts waste from landfills. Low-water dyeing processes or natural dyes reduce chemical impact. Ethically sourced fiber from farms with good animal welfare practices. And local or regional production reduces transportation carbon footprint. No single yarn checks every box, but understanding what matters most to you helps you make better choices for your values.

What are the 5 eco-friendly yarn options discussed?

The post covers five options worth knowing about for Earth Day and environmentally conscious crafting. These typically include options like organic cotton, bamboo (technically a grass that grows quickly without pesticides), wool from ethically managed flocks, recycled/upcycled yarns, and plant-based fibers like linen or hemp. Each has different pros and cons on the eco-friendly spectrum. Check the full post for the specific options Marly recommends and her assessment of each… she brings her practical crafter's perspective to the environmental question.

Is wool eco-friendly?

It can be! Wool is natural, biodegradable, and a renewable resource from sheep. At its best (small-scale sustainable farms with good animal welfare), wool is genuinely one of the most eco-friendly fiber options. The concerns: large-scale industrial sheep farming has environmental footprints. Superwash wool treatment uses chemicals. Transportation across global supply chains adds carbon. Organic, ethically sourced wool from local farms is the most eco-friendly option but also the most expensive and hardest to source. Good wool from a known source beats most synthetics on environmental impact.

Is acrylic yarn bad for the environment?

It has real downsides. Acrylic is petroleum-derived (a non-renewable resource), doesn't biodegrade, and releases microplastics in washing. But the full picture is complex! Acrylic is often more accessible and affordable than natural fibers for crafters on limited budgets. Some argues that a well-made acrylic item used for decades is better than a “natural” item that wears out quickly and gets replaced. Recycled acrylic (made from plastic bottles) is more eco-friendly than virgin acrylic. Acrylic's easy care means it's more likely to be maintained and used long-term. It's not black and white.

What's the most practical eco-friendly choice for everyday yarn crafting?

Honestly… using what you already have (stash busting) is always the most eco-friendly choice! Beyond that, look for: natural fibers from brands with transparent sourcing practices, local or regional yarn producers, recycled fiber options, and organic certifications. Buying less and choosing better quality that lasts longer is more impactful than buying “eco” yarn in large quantities. And gifting your handmade items to people who will actually use and treasure them… because yarn turned into something loved and used for years has a far better environmental story than yarn that becomes clutter.

59 Mother’s Day Projects to Make

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Mother's Day is less than a month away! Whether you're making something for your mom, grandmother, aunt mentor, or someone else who means a lot to you, you'll find a pattern in this collection of Mother's Day patterns.

59 Mother's Day Patterns to Knit - Crochet and Craft - Free Digital Patterns - Marly Bird

Classic Free Patterns

Classic patterns like scarves, flowers, and shawls are common on Mother's Day. Make these great patterns today for your mom! There are patterns for all different levels of skill, for crafters, crocheters and knitters.

Flower Arrangements

Fresh flowers are a common Mother's Day gift, but real flowers fade and die. These handmade flowers will last years!

Mommy and Me

This blog post features 20 chances for mothers and children, or kids and their dolls, to wear matching outfits. Knit and crochet aprons, ponchos, and sweaters for children and their moms.

20 Free Mommy and Me Knit and Crochet Patterns - 20 Free Digital Patterns - Marly Bird

Mother's Day Designs from Top Designers

Last year I ran a Mother's Day Blog Hop. Download these 15 gorgeous designs and make something for your mom today! Note: some of the patterns may no longer be free.

15 Days of Free Mother's Day Patterns - Free Digital Patterns - Marly Bird

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

There are things to make beyond knitting and crochet! This round-up of 10 projects includes many other types of crafts you can use to make projects for your mother figure.

Mother's Day Crochet Gift Ideas - - Free Digital Patterns - Marly Bird

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are these projects only for crocheters?

Oh gosh no! While there are tons of crochet patterns, this post also includes knitting and other types of crafts. So whether you're a hooker, a knitter, or enjoy other crafty things, you'll find something super fun to make for Mother's Day.

I'm a beginner, can I still make something?

Yes! Honestly, there are patterns for all different skill levels mentioned. So even if you're just starting out, you can totally find something lovely to create for your mom or that special someone.

What if I don't want to make a scarf or shawl?

Don't worry… there are lots of other ideas! This post talks about flower arrangements, eyeglass cases, keyrings, and even wall hangings. So you've got plenty of choices beyond the usual suspects.

Are all these patterns free?

So here's the thing… the post mentions a blog hop from last year where patterns were free, but it notes that some may no longer be. It's always a good idea to click through and check the current availability of each pattern.

Can I make matching things for me and my kiddo?

Absolutely! There's a whole section dedicated to “Mommy and Me” patterns. You can find matching outfits like aprons, ponchos, and sweaters for both moms and their little ones, or even for dolls!

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Get Ready for Earth Day: 10 Tips for Eco-Friendly Knit…

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Earth Day is almost here. And, of course, the planet is important every day of the year. The fact that you do a handmade craft already makes you more eco-friendly than some people. But you can also do some things to green up your crafting. In honor of Earth Day, here are ten eco-friendly knit and crochet tips.

Note: There are affiliate links in this post. I get a percentage of sales from clicks on those links. Your price doesn't increase. Thank you for your support.

earth day knit and crochet

1. Learn About Sustainable Yarn

You can start by listening to what the Green Mountain Spinnery had to say about this topic on the Yarn Thing podcast. Sustainable yarn includes natural fibers, organic materials (such as organic cotton or even banana fiber), and recycled materials such as sari silk.

2. Shop Local for Eco-Friendly Yarn

The further away that your yarn comes from, the harder it is on the earth. If you have local fiber farms in your area that shear the sheep and spin and dye the yarn then get to know them. Join a CSA for fiber. Or shop at local yarn stores that carry yarn from local makers.

3. Look for Eco-Friendly Knit and Crochet Tools

You can buy plastic crochet hooks and knitting needles. Or you can buy ones that are made of wood. Hopefully it'll be a long time before your tools end up in a landfill. Nevertheless, think ahead and choose the more eco-friendly knit and crochet tools when you can.

4. Make Eco-Friendly Knit and Crochet Items

For example, crochet market bags so that you can re-use them instead of using up plastic or even paper bags at the grocery store. Knit your own baskets so that you don't have to buy plastic ones at the store. Think of all of the things that you can make for yourself instead of buying the new, cheap version.

5. Upcycle Items at Home with Eco-Friendly Knit and Crochet

Take an item that you would have thrown away and turn it into something fresh and new with your knit and crochet skills. For example, you can take mismatched plastic bottles and make them match with easy knit or crochet cozies for them. Then use them as vases, pencil holders, etc.

6. Make Your Own Yarn

This is another way to upcycle or recycle instead of throwing something away at home. Take your old t-shirts, sheets, and even plastic bags and make yarn (tarn, plarn) from them. Then use those supplies to knit or crochet.

7. Use Eco-Friendly Soap to Wash Your Knit and Crochet

Whether you hand-wash or machine-wash your items, you can easily have more eco-friendly knit and crochet by giving careful attention to the soap that you use. Some chemicals are really bad for the planet. Others are not. Tip: Check out SOAK Wash.

8. Learn About the Slow Yarn Movement

Knitting and crochet already help the earth because they fight fast fashion. Slow fashion is an antidote to many of the environmental issues associated with fast fashion. But you can take it even further. You can make more eco-friendly knit and crochet choices by learning all about the Slow Yarn movement. As a bonus, Slow Yarn isn't just good for the earth but also good for you.

9. Read Books About Eco-Friendly Knit and Crochet

For example, in our roundup of 2021 knitting books you might want to check out, there's Sustainable Knitting for Beginners and Beyond: 20 Patterns for Environmentally Friendly Knits. The more that you can learn about how other people are practicing sustainable knitting, the more ideas you'll have for doing the same for yourself.

10. Re-Use Your WIP Yarn

How many WIPs and UFO's do you have in your house right now? Take them all out and make a decision. Either you're going to finish them – so do it. Or you can frog them and use the yarn. Don't let things that can be used just sit around gathering dust. Use them!

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Frequently Asked Questions

I'm new to eco-friendly crafting, where do I even start?

So here's the thing… you can start by learning about sustainable yarn! Things like natural fibers, organic materials, and recycled yarns are all great options. Listening to podcasts or checking out resources mentioned on the blog can give you a great head start.

How can I make my crafting tools more eco-friendly?

Honestly… instead of always grabbing plastic, think about wooden crochet hooks and knitting needles. They're a more sustainable choice that will hopefully last you a really long time before they'd ever need to be replaced.

Can making things myself really help the environment?

Yes! Making items like crochet market bags or knitted baskets means you're reusing things instead of buying new, potentially less eco-friendly versions. Plus, you get a handmade treasure out of it!

I have a bunch of old t-shirts… what can I do with them?

Oh, you can totally upcycle them… into yarn! You can cut up old t-shirts, sheets, or even plastic bags to make your own yarn, which you can then use for knitting or crochet projects. How cool is that?

What's this “Slow Yarn Movement” I keep hearing about?

Well, knitting and crochet are already great because they fight fast fashion… but the Slow Yarn movement takes it a step further. It's all about making more conscious and eco-friendly choices in our yarn crafting. It's good for the planet and good for you, too!

Meet the Marly Bird Team: Cryssi

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If you've been paying attention to the recently launched BiCrafty Boot Camp: Knitting Lessons for Crocheters then you might have noticed that I have a team behind me now. I love collaboration and work often with other knit and crochet designers in the industry. In addition, I'm thrilled that I now have the chance to have my own Marly Bird team working with me.

Meet Marly Bird team member Cryssi

The Marly Bird Team

Previously, as some of you know, I had Katelyn helping me run things behind the scenes. However, she moved on to other things (I miss her but am happy for her!) and about six months ago I hired a new team to help me do all of the things that Katelyn was doing. You were introduced to them briefly in the intro to BiCrafty Boot Camp. Meg does a lot of the Facebook stuff and also does the roundup posts on the blog. Kathryn does the majority of the blog posts as well as handles Instagram. And Cryssi is my executive assistant, the all-around admin person who also does a little bit of social media, newsletters, and ordering all of the great giveaway stuff we often have for you.

The BiCrafty Boot Camp actually came about because two new Marly Bird team members – Cryssi and Kathryn – are crocheters who didn't yet know how to knit. I told them that they'd better get on board with knitting, not just because it's fun to be bicrafty but also in order to better answer questions and do blog posts related to knitting. So, we wanted to give you a chance to get to know each of these Marly Bird team members a little bit better. We'll start today with an introduction to Cryssi. So, Meet Cryssi!

Learning to Knit with Marly Bird

Join Cryssi and Kathryn in learning to knit through the FREE BiCrafty Boot Camp: Knitting Lessons for Crocheters.

5 Fun Things to Know About Cryssi

There's a chance that you've already interacted with Cryssi on social media or email if you've contacted me through those channels. And if you've joined BiCrafty Boot Camp then you've already had the chance to see her and Kathryn introduce themselves in the first Facebook Live video, which you can watch here, as well as in the first “learn how to knit” video, which you can watch here.

But in addition to what you can learn there, here are five fun things to know about Cryssi:

1. She Learned to Crochet at Age 9, Kind Of

Cryssi learned to crochet when she was still in the single digits. However, all she learned at the time was the crochet chain. She made endless crochet chains. Then she didn't learn anything else so she got tired of it and didn't crochet again until over a decade later.

Fun fact: Marly Bird team member Kathryn actually also learned to crochet in elementary school and only made chains then didn't actually learn to crochet until her twenties!

2. Cryssi Kept Her First Crochet Blanket, Though She Can't Use It

First of all, judos to her because she made over 100 crochet granny squares and stitched them together into that first blanket. That's a big feat. And she still has that crochet blanket. It's all wonky with holes in it because of all of those errors we make when we first learn a craft. Therefore, they don't actually use the blanket. Nevertheless, she keeps it. Those first makes are so special aren't they? What was yours?!

3. A Later Blanket Won a Prize

Cryssi submitted a crochet blanket to her county fair a few years ago – and it won first prize! It was a colorful Catherine Wheel stitch blanket.

Cryssi's prize winning blanket

4. Crochet Helped Change Her Life

Cryssi was recently featured in the April 2021 issue of digital magazine Happily Hooked. Kathryn has a column there about how Crochet Heals us and she interviewed Cryssi in depth about the healing experience of crafting with her aunt, which she had shared briefly in this post. One of the special things you'll learn if you check out that issue is excerpted here:

“For a decade from about age 13 to about 23, I was the life of the party. There wasn’t a drink or a drug you couldn’t throw my way, and I was a mess. When I was 23, I met my husband who shared the gospel with me and I began a relationship with Christ. I stopped drinking, smoking, and recreationally using drugs. I found myself with a lot of time on my hands and I’m really bad at being idle. Crocheting filled in those gaps and was such a blessing to me. I had always been very creative and I loved the way that crochet allowed me to mix colors and patterns and create something from nothing, essentially!”

5. She Is Funny

Watch the live videos referenced above. She's hilarious. It's so fun having her on the Marly Bird team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Cryssi and what does she do for Marly Bird?

So here's the thing… Cryssi is Marly's executive assistant! She handles a lot of the admin stuff, plus some social media and newsletters. She's a key part of the Marly Bird team!

Did Cryssi always know how to crochet?

Honestly… no! She learned to crochet when she was nine, but only knew how to make chains. She picked it up again over a decade later and now she's making amazing things!

Does Cryssi still have her very first crochet project?

Yes! She made this super cool crochet blanket with over 100 granny squares, even though it's a little wonky from when she was learning. It's so special to her that she keeps it around.

Did Cryssi ever win a prize for her crochet?

She sure did! Cryssi submitted a colorful Catherine Wheel stitch blanket to her county fair and it won first prize… how awesome is that?!

Is Cryssi funny?

Absolutely! Marly says to watch the live videos where Cryssi is introduced; she's hilarious. It's so much fun having her on the Marly Bird team!

Knitting Basics: Knit, Garter, and Cast Off (BiCrafty…

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Thanks for joining us for our BiCrafty Boot Camp series of Knitting Lessons for Crocheters. In our first lesson, we learned how to slip knot, cast on and begin knit stitch. We'll continue our knitting basics here in lesson two, where we'll learn how to knit garter stitch. We'll also learn the basics of casting off in knitting. WATCH ON YOUTUBE – A VIDEO CLASS SHOWING YOU ALL ABOUT HOW TO KNIT GARTER STITCH AND COMPLETE OUR FIRST PROJECT. Of course the video will remain up on YouTube for you to watch if you miss the live. In fact, here it is:

Don't forget to sign up for the BiCrafty Boot Camp newsletters. This is how we know that you're participating in BiCrafty Boot Camp. And you'll get weekly newsletters reminding you about the lessons, the lives, and the tips for crocheters who are just learning how to knit. Speaking of the lives, they happen every other Thursday at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET and you can watch the first one from last week right here on YouTube.

Find all lessons and related materials linked to in this post as soon as they become available.

Lesson Two BiCrafty Boot Camp knit garter stitch and cast off

Crocheter's Edge

Crocheters Tips to Learn Knitting

You'll have a good sense of how to work on this knitting basics lesson thanks to some of your crochet knowledge. We'll be using one stitch over and over again to create a piece of fabric. You know how to do that.

For example, you know what it's like working a square entirely in single crochet or double crochet stitches. That's what we're going to do here using knit stitch to create a garter stitch fabric.

You also already know about how tension affects gauge in crochet. Keep working with that this week as you continue to learn knit stitch. The more practice your hands get, the more they build up that muscle memory. We're starting this series off slow so that you have time to get used to the feel of knitting.

Knitter's Tip for Crocheters

knitting basics for crocheters

Now that you're working with your knitting needles, how is it going? Sometimes you might find that your stitches slip off the ends of your needles. Obviously, you don't want that. It's time to learn about point protectors! Point protectors are inexpensive little tools that you slip onto your needle tip to prevent the stitches from falling off. There are small point protectors (for needle size 0 – 8), bulky point protectors (for needle size 9 – 15) and also some that come in fun designs and shapes (like socks!) We received some from our sponsors and will be showing you those in our next live on Facebook which takes place 4/15/21 at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET.

(Bonus tip: rubber bands make great DIY point protectors. Wrap one around the tip of the needle a few times and your stitches won't be able to fall off while you're knitting or even when you have to put your work down.)

Knitting Lesson 2: Garter Stitch and Cast Off

We are adding two new skills to the foundation of knitting basics that we started in Lesson One: how to knit garter stitch and how to cast off in knitting. But you might be surprised to learn that if you kept up with last week's homework then you actually already know how to knit garter stitch!

How to Knit Garter Stitch

how to knit garter stitch

Garter stitch is simply the name for the fabric you create when you work knit stitch across every row. That's why we're starting with garter stitch. For crocheters, it would be comparable to making a square piece of fabric entirely in single crochet stitches. In other words, once you learn single crochet, you can make a single crochet square; once you learn knit stitch, you can make a garter stitch knit square.

The great thing about this knitting basics lesson is that you already know most of what you need to know for these knitting basics. You learned how to work knit stitch on a long tail cast on in lesson one. Now you will keep repeating rows of knit stitch.

Here is how to knit garter stitch:

Thanks to Lesson One, you've already cast on using the long-tail cast on that created the first knit row. Then you also knit another row.

Tip: As I work knit stitches, I like to repeat the following steps:

  • Go in the front door (meaning insert the right-hand needle from left to right into the first stitch)
  • Around the corner; (yarn over the needle with the working yarn, from left around to the right of the needle.)
  • Out the window; (bring the needle down, coming out of that stitch)
  • And off the porch (let the stitch fall off the left needle)

So we're going to repeat that across the row. But what do you do once you have your first knit row? At the end of knitting that row, you've let the stitches all come off of the left needle and now they're on the right hand needle. Your left needle doesn't have any needles on it after you've completed the last stitch of the row.

Straighten out the work on the needle so all of the knit stitches are even at the bottom of the needle. Now move that needle to your left hand. The needle with the work on it becomes the left hand needle. Put your other needle in your right hand and begin again. That's it. You're knitting each row, which means that you're knitting garter stitch.

Knitters Tip for Crocheters

knitters tip for crocheters

Garter stitch can also be made by working only purl stitches. Since we've just learned the knit stitch, we've practiced it this way. But in Lesson 3 you'll learn the purl stitch. Then if you want to practice your knits and purls you can take turns making swatches of garter stitch using each method.

How to Cast Off in Knitting

Casting off is what you do to finish a pattern. It's similar to the “finish off and weave in ends” part of crochet but also more complex because of the nature of knitting. In fact, you have to plan ahead for the cast off. In crochet, you simply stop what you're doing, cut the yarn, bring it through the loop, and you're done. However, in knitting, you need to think ahead to make sure that you have enough yarn for the cast off.

There are many different ways to cast on and there are many different ways to cast off in knitting, We'll be showing you one option for a common cast off in the video that goes live today on YouTube at 1 pm. (We'll add the link here when it's available.)

Lesson 2: First Project

knit garter stitch dishcloth

We originally thought we might do. a sampler scarf with all of the knit stitches that we learned. However, I really believe that instant gratification is the key to feeling like you're getting somewhere with a new craft. As an experienced crocheter, you might get frustrated that knitting has challenges that you've forgotten as a beginner. Therefore, being able to create a project right away will help remind you that yes, you really can do this.

So, here's our first project: a basic garter stitch dishcloth. NOTE: The pattern says that it calls for #7 needles. However, we started you off on #8 needles and we are going to stick with those for now. The project will turn out perfectly fine using the #8 needles. The video shows you step-by-step how to complete this free knit pattern.

Need to learn more about knitting needles? Check. out our beginner's guide.

BiCrafty Bootcamp

Additional Patterns and Video Tutorials For Garter Stitch and Cast Off

If you want to take your skills a little bit further, then you may be interested in these video tutorials:

Or these patterns:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is garter stitch?

Honestly… garter stitch is simply the fabric you make when you knit every single row. Think of it like making a whole square out of single crochet stitches… if you know crochet, you already get this! It’s a super beginner-friendly way to start knitting.

I keep dropping stitches off my needles… help!

Oh no!… that can be so frustrating when you’re just starting out. You should totally check out point protectors! They just slip onto the end of your needles and keep those stitches from sliding off while you’re working or even when you need to take a break. A rubber band can even work in a pinch!

How do I finish my knitting project?

So here's the thing… finishing your knitting is called casting off, and it’s a little different than in crochet. You really have to plan ahead to make sure you have enough yarn! There are lots of ways to do it, and the video on this page shows you one common method.

Can I really make a whole project in Lesson 2?

Yes!… you absolutely can! We’re making a basic garter stitch dishcloth, and it’s perfect for that instant gratification boost. It really helps you feel like you're accomplishing something right away when you're learning a new craft like knitting.

I'm a crocheter learning to knit… what's the biggest difference I should know?

Well, honestly… knitting does require a bit more planning ahead than crochet, especially when it comes to finishing your work. Also, sometimes stitches can slip off your needles easily at first, so point protectors are a lifesaver! But don't worry… we’re going slow, and you’ve got this!