Knit Skill Building Series: Part 1 - The Foundation
Every knitter starts somewhere. . .
Maybe you’re holding knitting needles for the very first time. Maybe you learned once upon a time from a loved one and are picking them back up again. Or just maybe you’ve been circling the craft for years, admiring sweaters from afar, waiting for the right moment to build up your knitting knowledge and skills.
This is that moment. Welcome : )
We’re kicking off a 7 Part Knitting Skill Building Series, and Part 1 is all about the foundation. Learning to knit, giving yourself grace, and setting yourself up for success.
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Start Here: Learn to Knit (Video)
If you’re a visual learner (same), we’ve got you covered. This YouTube video tutorial from Davina of Sheep & Stitch is a great place to begin:
Press play. Pause it. Rewind it. Watch it again tomorrow. Knitting isn’t a race, it’s a journey.
📚 Books We Love
Good resources make a big difference. These are some of our tried-and-true favorites:
Patty Lyons’ Knitting Bag of Tricks
The Ultimate All Around Stitch Dictionary
Each one offers something a little different, techniques, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of the yarn in your hands.
Learn With Us
Did you know we offer private knitting lessons at Farmers Daughter Fibers?
Take a private lesson with one of our resident knit experts. You can choose to knit a scarf or hat to start. Sometimes all it takes is someone sitting next to you, watching your hands, and saying, “Yep, that’s it.” Our dedicated team is here to provide personalized, one-on-one support. Or maybe you're just stuck on a project? Need help ripping out a WIP? Can’t quite figure something out? Sit down with someone, and let them not only help you fix your mistakes, but also learn why it happened and how to avoid it! Book your lesson here.
(Private Lessons are in-person only.)
🧶 Choosing a Good Starter Yarn ![]()
The right yarn can make all the difference when you’re learning. We recommend starting with something that’s forgiving, cozy, and easy to see.
Our favorite beginner-friendly yarns:
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Squish Bulky
- 100% SW Merino
- 106 yards/100g
- Bulky Weight
- Needle Recommendation: US sizes 9-11
- We use this yarn for all of our beginner classes in the shop!
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Juicy DK
- 100% SW Merino
- 274 yards/100g
- Light DK Weight
- Needle Recommendation: US sizes 4-7
These yarns are soft on the hands, show your stitches clearly, and make the learning process feel a whole lot friendlier. Extra tip, use lighter colored yarn for you first project to help see you stitches more clearly!
Tips & Tricks from the FDF Team
Over the years, we’ve taught a lot of knitters, and a few things come up again and again. My biggest advice for anyone who is learning how to knit is the mental aspect of learning a new skill. You're not going to be perfect at it from the beginning and the only way to get better is to keep practicing. Remember to check-in with your body. Are you breathing? Relax your shoulders, stretch when you need to and always, always have some chocolate nearby. Below are few more tips from some our FDF team members:
Tin Can Knits
The Tin Can Knits App is a fantastic tool for beginners. The App includes knitting inspo, 159 knitting tutorials, and many patterns that grow with you as your skills grow. Alexa and Emily's mission is to inspire, guide and support knitters through their knitting patterns, stories and free learning materials, and that they do.
A Few Things We Really Want You to Know
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Breathe. Seriously. Drop your shoulders. Unclench your jaw.
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It’s okay to mess up. Knitting is just loops. If it’s not right?
Rip it. Rip it. (Frogging is part of the process.) -
Good lighting matters. Your eyes will thank you.
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Good supplies help. You don’t need everything, but quality tools make learning smoother and more enjoyable.
You’re Doing Great (Yes, Really)
If your stitches feel awkward, your tension is uneven, or your square looks more like a trapezoid then you’re doing it right (ha!). Every knitter you admire has been exactly where you are now.
Knitting truly helps build self confidence, unlocks creativity and is an awesome tool to lean on when life seems challenging. Stick with us, part 2 is coming soon, and we’d love for you to continue this journey with us together, one stitch at a time.
Thank you for this series-I especially cherish the tips from your team and “yes”, Tin Can Knits has been so useful in my knitting journey.