Skill Building Series: Part 3 - The Basics You Need to Know

Welcome back to our Skill Building Series, where we take knitting one approachable step at a time. Before diving into more techniques and patterns, there are a few foundational concepts every knitter should understand.

Think of this post as your toolbox orientation: how yarn and fiber behave, how to read what you’re buying, and how to take care of both your projects and yourself along the way.

Let’s get into the basics every knitter (new and seasoned) should know.

How Fiber Behaves

Not all yarn acts the same, and understanding fiber behavior is one of the biggest confidence boosters for new knitters. Fiber content directly affects how your stitches look, how your fabric feels, and even how your finished project wears over time.

Once you begin noticing fiber characteristics, patterns start to make much more sense.

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers come from animals or plants and are beloved in knitting because they respond beautifully to your hands and your stitches.

Common natural fibers include:

• Wool

• Alpaca

• Cotton

• Linen

• Silk

Benefits of knitting with natural fiber yarns:

• Breathable and temperature regulating

• Often elastic (especially wool)

• Block and shape beautifully

• Can felt with heat and agitation (unless treated)

Many yarns from Farmer's Daughter Fibers highlight how fiber choice impacts fabric. All of our yarns are natural fiber yarns and when knit up have excellent stitch definition and elasticity, which helps stitches even out as you knit, something beginners often notice as their work “magically” improves after blocking.

Wool also has memory, meaning it stretches and springs back into shape. This makes it incredibly forgiving while you’re learning tension and building consistency.

Synthetic Fibers

Synthetic yarns are man-made fibers designed for durability and easy care.

Common synthetic fibers include:

• Acrylic

• Polyester

• Nylon

• Rayon
• Viscose 

Benefits of knitting with synthetic fiber yarns:

• Durable and budget-friendly

• Often machine washable

• Less breathable than natural fibers

• Typically have less elasticity and memory

These yarns are wonderful for projects that need frequent washing, like blankets, children’s items, or high-use accessories.

Fiber Blends: The Best of Both Worlds

Many modern yarns combine fibers to balance performance and comfort. You might see wool blended with nylon for strength or plant fibers (like cotton) added for drape and texture. Blended yarns allow knitters to experience structure, softness, and durability all in one project.

Beginner Tip:
If your stitches look uneven while knitting, don’t panic. Natural fibers,  especially wool often relax and bloom after washing and blocking, transforming your fabric dramatically.

Reading Yarn Labels

Your yarn label is your project’s instruction manual. Learning to read it saves guesswork and prevents surprises later.

Most labels include:

• Fiber Content - what the yarn is made from (100 % Sweater Weight Merino Wool).

• Yardage & Weight - how much yarn you’re getting (274 yards and 100 grams).

• Recommended Needle Size (Juicy DK (Double Knitting) weight yarn typically requires knitting needles in the size range of US 5-7 (3.75MM - 4.5MM). 

• Gauge Information (5.25-6 stitches per 1” / 2.5cm).

• Care Instructions (gently hand wash , lay flat to dry).

Take a moment to read labels before casting on. They tell you almost everything you need to know about how the yarn wants to behave.

Understanding Gauge

Gauge tells you how many stitches and rows fit into a measured square - usually 4" x 4" (10 x 10 cm).

Why it matters:

• Determines finished size

• Affects fabric drape

• Ensures garments actually fit

Even small differences in tension can change sizing dramatically. 

Beginner mindset shift:
Gauge isn’t a test you pass or fail, it’s simply information that helps you adjust your needle size to get the fabric you want. Please take the time to do a gauge swatch it could save you a lot of heartache if you do : )

Knitting Needles: Getting to Know Your Tools

There isn’t just one type of knitting needle, each kind serves a purpose and they also come in many different materials. Knitting needles are commonly made from metal, wood, bamboo and plastic. Metal is best for speed and slickness, while wood and bamboo offer more grip and warmth. Plastic is lightweight and affordable, making it ideal for beginners. We recommend that if you can, try them all to decide which material feels right for you. 

Straight Needles

• Traditional, single-point needles

• Best for flat projects like scarves

• Easy traditional tool for beginners to start with

Double Pointed Needles (DPNs)

• Used in sets of 4 or 5

• Ideal for small circumferences like socks, sleeves, and hats

• Used mainly for knitting in the round

Interchangeable Circular Needles

• Needle tips connect to different cable lengths

• Extremely versatile

• Used to knit flat or in the round

• A favorite long-term investment for many knitters

There’s no “advanced” needle only the right tool for the project and you may have to try out a few different types of needles before you find the right one for you.

Superwash vs. Non-Superwash Wool

You’ll often see these terms on wool yarn labels.

Superwash Wool

• Chemically or mechanically treated

• Machine washable

• Resists felting

• Often drapes more and grows slightly after washing

Great for everyday garments and gifts.

Non-Superwash Wool

• Untreated natural wool (yarn retains natural scaly state

• Has more structure, memory and elasticity

• Blocks beautifully

• Can felt if washed improperly (hand wash only!)

Loved for sweaters, accessories, and heirloom projects. 

Neither is better, they simply behave differently.

Self-Care for Makers

Knitting is joyful, but it’s still repetitive motion. Taking care of your hands and body helps you knit longer and more comfortably. Think of this as physical therapy for makers. 

Someone wonderful to follow that specializes in helping knitters care for their bodies so they can craft comfortably for years to come is Andrea Lui aka @theknittingpt.

She is a physical therapist, educator, lifelong maker and a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy.  Andrea combines clinical expertise with her love of knitting, crochet, weaving, and spinning to teach makers about posture, injury prevention, and sustainable stitching habits. Through her educational videos, workshops, and resources, she empowers knitters with practical stretches, strengthening exercises, and ergonomic tips designed specifically for the repetitive motions of fiber arts,  reminding us that taking care of our bodies is an essential part of the creative process

Your body is one of your most important crafting tools, treat it kindly.

Team Tips: Self-Care from Our Makers

Knitting looks different for everyone, and so does self-care. Our team is sharing the small habits and rituals that help them stay comfortable, inspired, and pain-free while making.

You can find some of the teams tried and true favorite products here: 

• ModestMix Teas • Steven Smith Tea • Anima Mundi Curam Elixir • Medicine Grizzly Herbs Hand Balm • Darlin' Skincare Tallow Balms • Mini Botanist Candles • 

Final Thoughts

Learning knitting basics isn’t about memorizing rules, it’s about understanding how materials, tools, and your body, mind and hands work together.

The more you understand fiber, gauge, and tools, the more confident and creative you become. Every knitter starts here. And every project teaches you something new.

Happy knitting friends and remember, progress happens one stitch at a time. See you next week for Part 4!