9 easy-to-follow knitting projects for beginners – Prima

Looking for knitting projects for beginners? We’ve got all the inspiration you could possibly need!

When you’ve just learnt to knit, you want to use those newfound skills to make things. But even if you can’t find a knitting pattern for beginners that you can make sense of, you can still create all kinds of things for you and your home.

Our collection of inspirational knitting projects for beginners — they’re too simple to be called knitting patterns —will ease your frustration.

They’re all based on one or more knitted squares or rectangles, and the same process: measure, cast on in garter stitch, knit, cast off, join the ends – but simple enough for knitting novices to master.

From a blanket to a jumper and a simple scarf, you’ll be amazed at what you can make with our collection of knitting projects for beginners. And once you’ve mastered these, why not take a look at our round-up of the best knitting kits for beginners?

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit a mug cosy

If you can knit rib (alternating ribs of purl and garter stitches), your cosy will have a slight stretch to allow it to grip the mug, (or cup or cafetière), but plain garter stitch is fine.

Measure around your mug and cast on as many stitches as you need to reach that measurement. Knit rows until your work is around 6cm long. Cast off. Sew the ends of your rectangle together, leaving a gap in the middle for the handle. Pull the cosy on over the mug — and put the kettle on for a well-earned cuppa!

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit a cowl

A cowl is just a short scarf with its ends joined together. You can knit a single-loop cowl, which goes around your neck once, or a double or triple-loop cowl, where you twist it around your neck more than once.

Decide how deep you want your cowl (or use the distance between your collarbone and just beneath your nose). Cast on stitches to that measurement. Now knit until you can tell that the cowl will pass over your head once its ends are joined. Cast off and sew the ends together for a single-loop cowl, or keep knitting until your work is long enough to twist around your neck two or three times, then cast off and sew the ends together.

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit wrist warmers

Three-quarter-length sleeves can lead to chilly wrists. Bridge the gap with a pair of wrist warmers. To knit for fit, hold your hand flat with thumb sticking out. Measure around your hand at the base of your fingers, excluding the thumb.

Cast on to reach this measurement. Knit until your warmers are around 14cm, or the length you want. Cast off and sew the sides together, leaving a space for your thumb to stick out. Sew on a decorative button if you want.

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit a blanket

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit a jumper

Yes, you really can knit a jumper without a tricky pattern. Chunky wool and big needles work best. You’ll knit four rectangles: front, back and two sleeves. For the front and back, measure the width of your shoulders across your body, and your desired length, from your collarbones down your body.

Knit two rectangles to these measurements. For the sleeves: measure around your arm at its widest point and add 5cm. Decide how long you want your sleeves. Knit two rectangles to these measurements.

Stitch the sleeve edges together. Stitch the front and back together across the shoulders (leaving a gap to get your head through), and up the sides, leaving space to sew on the ends of the sleeves. If you like, you can knit a strip to attach around the neckline for a cowl neck effect.

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit a dishcloth

Hand-knitted dishcloths are super-trendy in the US. And it’s easy to see why: they’re quick to knit, and you’ll use them every day. You can buy special dishcloth yarn made of cotton that can withstand high washing temperatures, or try using string. Just knit a square of the size you want. A word of warning: knitting with string is a bit hard on the fingers!

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit a cushion cover

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit a scarf

Everyone’s favourite first knit, a scarf couldn’t be simpler. Decide on the width, then knit until it’s as long as you want. For a stripy scarf, change yarn colours, if you know how, or stitch together different-coloured rectangles.

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Knitting projects for beginners: How to knit a baby toy

For a baby’s soft toy cube — or a funky ornament for your home — knit six equal-sized squares. Stitch five together to form a box, and stitch one edge of the sixth square to it. Insert the stuffing then stitch the final edge of the cube closed. Make sure your knitting is dense-textured, by using smaller needles and thicker yarn. Do make sure all yarn ends are secure.