Learning to Knit: A Beginner Tutorial with Marly Bird & Her Mom

Want to learn to knit? Watch as Marly Bird sits down with her mom for a classic, old-fashioned knitting lesson. This is beginner knitting at its most personal — no intimidating jargon, just a mom teaching her daughter (and you!) the basics. If her mom could learn to knit from scratch, so can you!

Whether you've never held a pair of knitting needles or you just need a refresher, this series of videos will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

One of Marly’s Most Beloved Teaching Series

This playlist has become a fan favorite — and it’s easy to see why. There’s something really special about watching Marly teach her own mom from absolute scratch. Every step is explained with patience and warmth, in a way that makes total beginners feel completely at ease. If you’ve been putting off learning to knit because you didn’t know where to start, this is exactly where to start.

▶ Watch the full “Learn to Knit with Marly’s Mom” playlist →

Learning to Knit: Video Tutorial Series

On Marly's YouTube channel you'll find a complete series of videos where she taught her mom how to knit from scratch. Her mom was a true beginner who didn't know a thing about knitting — and she learned! The series walks through casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, seaming, and more. Watch them in order and by the end you'll have real, usable beginner knitting skills.

Here are some of the outtakes so you can see how much fun we had:

In these videos I walk you through making each project so that there are no questions on what you should be doing to complete the project.

Learn to Knit Resources:

Here is the link to my YouTube Channel. I hope that you learn a lot. If you have questions let me know, I am always here to help.

Here is the first YouTube Video Lesson. Have fun!

Ready for Your First Knitting Project?

Once you’ve got the basics down from this series, a garter stitch shawl is the perfect first project. Marly has a wonderful free Garter Stitch Shawl pattern worked in Red Heart Soft Yarn — a simple triangular shawl that’s great for practicing your new skills.

Want More Structured Learning?

If you’re serious about building your knitting skills, check out Marly Bird House — Marly’s home for deeper craft education. It’s the perfect next step once you’ve got the basics down from this series.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this series good for complete beginners?

Absolutely! Marly taught her mom to knit from absolute zero — her mom had never picked up knitting needles before. If you can follow along with a video, you can learn to knit with this series.

What do I need to get started?

For your first knitting project you’ll need a pair of knitting needles (size 7 or 8 is great for beginners) and some worsted weight yarn. Start with a light-colored yarn so you can see your stitches clearly.

Where can I find the video lessons?

All the videos are on Marly’s YouTube channel in a dedicated learn-to-knit playlist. You can also find the first lesson embedded on this page — scroll up and press play!

What will I learn to make?

The series walks through the basics — casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and how to bind off. By the end, you’ll have the foundational skills to take on beginner knitting patterns.

I'm a crocheter — can I learn to knit too?

Yes! Marly is BiCrafty — she does both knitting and crochet — and she’s a wonderful guide for crocheters making the leap to knitting. Many of the concepts translate; it’s just a different set of tools in your hands.