Knitting is a relaxing and rewarding craft that anyone can learn, including you—even if you’ve never held a pair of knitting needles before. It’s a wonderful way to unwind, engage your creativity and produce handmade items you can use or gift to others. 

Starting with simple projects is a great way to build foundational skills and master basic techniques before moving on to more complex patterns. Here, we’ll share 11 beginner-friendly knitting projects along with step-by-step instructions, fun design tips and links to Skillshare classes where you can let an expert knitter show you how it's done.

Knitted Wearables

Does the idea of knitting a large blanket or complex sweater give you a stress-induced headache? Not a problem—just start by knitting simple wearables instead (and get ready to say, "thanks, I made it!").

These projects are typically small, don't usually require more than a skein or two of yarn and use basic stitches that will help you develop the core techniques you can use in any knitting project. As an added bonus, you'll get the satisfaction of creating something functional you can wear and use.

Headband

A dark orange knit cowl with ribbed trim laying on a white cloth surface next to several skeins of yarn and a candle in a glass holder.
In the Skillshare class “Knitting for Total Beginners: Knit a Cozy Chunky Headband,” teacher Izabela Grzybek shows brand new knitters how to quickly knit a stylish headband.

Overview + Instructions

This simple headband project is great for total beginners who want to learn how to knit and complete their first knitting project.

Begin by casting on 12 stitches, or however many you need to create your desired headband width (in Izabela's class, she demonstrates the easiest method for casting on). Knit across your first row of stitches.

Before starting on your second row, slip one stitch from your left needle onto your right needle while keeping the yarn in front of your work. Move the yarn to the back of your work, and continue knit stitching across the rest of the row.

Repeat until you have a rectangular strip of fabric that's about two inches shorter than your head's circumference. Then, bind off your last row of stitches, leave a yarn tail that’s about 15 inches long and cut the yarn.

Use a tapestry needle to weave in the shorter yarn tail from the first row of stitches. Lay the headband flat, then fold in both ends toward the center. Thread your tapestry needle with the long 15-inch yarn tail. Grab each end of the headband and fold them in half, then fit both together, as demonstrated in the class. Use the threaded needle to sew all the layers of the headband ends together, making sure to only pick up the outermost stitches.

Finally, cut off the remaining yarn tail and flip your headband inside out to reveal the elegant twist design you've just created.

Design Tips

Try using a ribbed stitch pattern for a striped (and extra-stretchy) effect, or embellish the yarn with buttons or beads to better suit your style.

Why We Love It

This project is fantastic for beginners because it’s quick, practical and makes it easy to practice fundamental knitting skills like casting on, using the garter stitch, binding off and weaving in ends. Plus, it’s a perfect accessory for keeping warm on chilly fall and winter days.

Scarf

A light gray knit scarf with long fringe, folded up and placed on a dark wooden end table.
In the Skillshare class “Knitting I: Learn the Basics with a Simple Scarf,” teacher Davina Choy helps students learn how to knit a straightforward scarf. 

Overview + Instructions

A scarf is a classic beginner project that helps you get comfortable with knitting for a longer duration. And the longer you knit, the more uniform and neat your stitches will be.

To start, cast on a width that suits your style, then knit every row for a garter stitch scarf. As before, you can slip the first stitch of each row to create neater and straighter edges.

Once you reach your desired length, bind off and weave in the remaining loose ends with a tapestry needle.

Design Tips

Create a color-blocked look by changing colors halfway, or consider adding fringe at the ends for extra flair.

Why We Love It

The scarf is a classic beginner-friendly project for a reason: it's relatively forgiving, and its repetitive nature is perfect for honing your skills while simultaneously creating something cozy and useful.

Cowl

A dark orange knit cowl with ribbed trim laying on a white cloth surface next to several skeins of yarn and a candle in a glass holder.
In the Skillshare class “Knitting in the Round Basics: Knit an Easy Infinity Scarf Cowl,” Izabela Grzybek breaks down the steps of knitting a winter-ready cowl. 

Overview + Instructions

Want a project that's quicker to complete than a traditional scarf but equally as useful? Give a cowl a try.

Also known as an infinity scarf, a cowl is a versatile type of neckwear that knits up quickly and is sure to impress, making it perfect for beginners.

Start by casting on stitches in the round—for best results, use the elastic cast-on method Izabela explains in her class. Then join your stitches in the round, making sure your needles don't become twisted in the process. Create a ribbed edge by knitting two stitches and then purling two stitches; repeat until the border is as thick as you wish.

Switch to the moss stitch for the main part of the cowl. Continue until it's your desired length and finish with another ribbed edge. Bind off your last row of stitches and weave in the ends.

Design Tips

Try knitting with a tweed or speckled yarn for extra visual interest, or experiment with different textured stitch patterns like the seed stitch.

Why We Love It

This project is fantastic for beginners who want to get comfortable working in the round, and the final product is a fashionable, practical item that's perfect for the colder months.

Scrunchie

Two knit scrunchies placed on a white cloth surface. One is a dark burnt orange color, and the other is light orange and beige. A white candle in a glass holder is visible in the top left corner, and a wooden coaster is visible in the top right corner.
In the Skillshare class “Easy Knitting Basics for Beginners: Knit a DIY Scrunchie,” Izabela is at it again, this time with cute and cozy scrunchies.

Overview + Instructions

If you want a quick, simple knitting project that concludes in a cute accessory you can wear any time of year, a scrunchie will be right up your alley.

First, measure the hair elastic you'll be putting your scrunchie over. You'll want your knit scrunchie to be twice the length of the elastic's circumference. So, if your elastic is 20 centimeters around, for instance, the scrunchie you knit should be about 40 centimeters long.

Cast on about 60 or so stitches (see the class linked above to find out how to make precise calculations for your yarn) and knit the first row. For the second row, purl the entire way across. Repeat with knit stitches on one side and purl stitches on the other until you have a rectangle of the appropriate dimensions. Bind off and weave in any loose ends.

Pro tip: Alternating between knit rows and purl rows creates the stockinette stitch.

Lay the rectangle purl side up, fold the ends over so they meet in the middle and seam the two ends together. Place the hair elastic around the scrunchie, and then seam the outer edges of the scrunchie together so they completely cover the elastic.

Design Tips

Try playing with different yarn types to change the texture of the scrunchie. You can also add small details like beads or charms to give your scrunchie a unique look.

Why We Love It

This small, trendy accessory is delightfully quick to make, and by the time you're finished, you'll be comfortable with knitting, purling and seaming.

Market Bag

A light orange knit lace tote bag lying on a white cloth surface. The bag has been filled with apples, and three have rolled out onto the cloth-covered tabletop.
In the Skillshare class “Easy Lace Knitting: Knit a Classic Market Bag,” Izabela helps students tackle lace knitting by creating a functional market bag. 

Overview + Instructions

Blend form and function with a lace market bag you can use to carry produce and show off your knitting skills.

Start by casting on 24 stitches and knitting in garter stitch for eight rows. Then, switch to a larger set of needles and begin knitting the lace portion of the bag, as shown in Izabela’s class above. You'll finish by knitting the bag handles in the round and binding off.

Design Tips

For an extra eco-friendly touch, try using a yarn made out of natural plant fibers like cotton, linen or hemp. And to personalize your market bag, try dressing it up with beads, keychains or other embellishments.

Why We Love It 

A market bag is a stylish, sustainable project that allows you to experiment with lace knitting while also making something practical.

Hat

A woman standing underneath a blue sky with white clouds, wearing a gray ribbed knit beanie that’s decorated with a pom-pom on the top.
In the Skillshare class “Knitting III: Learn Knitting in the Round with a Slouchy Hat,” Davina Choy introduces students to knitting in the round with the help of a timeless ribbed hat. 

Overview + Instructions

A slouchy beanie never goes out of style, so why not make one yourself?

This simple hat pattern uses basic stitches like knit and purl. Start by casting on stitches using the long tail cast-on method shown in Davina's class. Join your stitches in the round, then create a ribbed border by alternating between knit and purl stitches. Continue until the border is one inch tall.

Switch to larger size needles, increasing as you go to ensure that the body of the hat is looser than the border. To create the body of the hat, knit one stitch, purl two stitches and repeat. Continue until your work measures eight inches from the cast on edge.

Now, it's time to begin decreasing stitches to form the crown of the hat. To do so, knit one, purl two stitches together, and repeat until the end of the round—this is called a decrease round. Then, alternate knit and purl stitches for the next three rounds. Follow along with the rest of Davina's instructions until you're ready to finish your hat. Finally, cast off and create an optional pom-pom if you want your hat to have a little extra charm.

Design Tips

Try changing colors every inch or so to create a striped effect, or experiment with different yarn textures for a unique look.

Why We Love It

This project makes it easy for ambitious beginners to learn how to increase and decrease stitches, which are essential skills for knitting socks, sweaters and other more advanced knitting projects.

Knitted Gifts and Decor 

Knitted gifts and home decor items are wonderful projects for beginners who want to create beautiful, functional pieces while practicing their new skills. These projects are often small and simple, yet also allow for practically unlimited customization.

Coaster

A person’s hands laying out a dark purple square knit coaster on a tabletop. The tabletop has been printed with various measurements such as inches, centimeters and imperial versus metric weights.
In the Skillshare class “Knitting for Complete Beginners - How to Knit a Coaster,” teacher Lisa Browell simplifies the process of knitting square coasters. 

Overview + Instructions

Protect your tables (and practice your knitting skills) with simple coasters created using basic knit and purl stitches. 

All you need to do is cast on enough stitches for the size of the coaster, knit in a garter stitch and bind off once you’ve reached the desired size and shape.

Or, if you want to create a more detailed-looking coaster with a border, start by casting on 30 stitches. Knit across each row for three rows (remember: this is called the garter stitch).

On the fourth row, knit the first four stitches, purl the rest of the row until there are four stitches remaining, then knit the last four stitches. On the fifth row, knit all the way across the entire row.

For the next thirty rows, repeat the steps you followed to create the fourth and fifth rows. This will create a stockinette stitch center surrounded by a garter stitch border. Then, knit across each row for three rows. Now you're ready to cast off and weave in your ends.

Design Tips

Try using self-striping yarn to create a multi-colored coaster, or make an entire set of coasters and knit each one in a different (but coordinating) color. 

Why We Love It

Coasters are a quick, practical project that also makes for excellent handmade gifts.

Dishcloth

An olive green knit dish towel laying on a wooden countertop next to a wooden cutting board and two wooden spoons.
In the Skillshare class “Knitting Easy Home Decor: Knit Tea Towels and Dishcloths for Your Kitchen,” Izabela teaches knitters how to create textured towels and washcloths. 

Overview + Instructions

A dishcloth is a simple and useful project for practicing knit and purl stitches. You can make a bordered design similar to the coaster project, or you can experiment with different stitch patterns to create a more intricate effect.

In the class linked above, you'll learn how to create a more advanced design by knitting a garter stitch center sandwiched between beautifully textured borders.

Once you've reached the end of your dishcloth, whether it's a simple or complex design, all you need to do is cast off and weave in any loose ends.

Design Tips

Use cotton yarn for a durable, absorbent dishcloth, and experiment with different textures using the seed stitch, basketweave stitch or linen stitch. Remember to avoid using any type of synthetic yarn since it will melt if it comes in contact with a hot pot or handle.

Why We Love It

Dishcloths are practical, quick to knit and provide a perfect opportunity to play with texture stitch patterns. Plus, every time you use your new dishcloth, you'll be reminded of your new knitting skills.

Blanket

A white chunky knit blanket folded in a square and placed upon a gray upholstered couch. The blanket is made of fluffy strands of unspun wool.
In the Skillshare class “Knit a giant blanket, source wool and make your own huge needles,” teacher Cara Corey demonstrates how to knit a delightfully squishy blanket. 

Overview + Instructions

Ready for a larger knitting project you can use to relax for hours on end? Gather several skeins of yarn and start working on a blanket.

A beginner-friendly blanket can be made either by knitting several squares together or by knitting a single large rectangle. Simply cast on enough stitches for your desired width, continue knitting until you reach the right length and bind off.

Or, if you want to create a Pinterest-worthy ultra-chunky blanket like the one shown in Cara's class, you'll need four pounds of wool roving (i.e., wool that hasn't yet been spun into yarn).

Felt the wool roving with your hands to give it extra strength, then create a 12-stitch slipknot chain. Take the unstitched roving and use your hands to pull it through each of the chain stitches to create a loop above each stitch, and repeat until your blanket is almost done.

Felt the ends together for even more strength, then bind off and tuck in the loose ends.

Design Tips

Wool roving is available dyed and undyed. Choose undyed roving for a natural look or dyed roving for a pop of color.

Why We Love It

If you want to build your knitting confidence by working on a larger project, you can't go wrong with a blanket. Plus, they make for absolutely perfect holiday gifts.

Storage Basket 

A white knit storage basket sitting on dark flooring in front of a white wall. The basket is made from thick cotton yarn. The basket is holding copies of a magazine titled ‘Anthology.’
In the Skillshare class “Knit a sturdy cotton rope basket,” Cara Corey guides students through the process of knitting a storage basket that’s as beautiful as it is useful. 

Overview + Instructions

For this project, you'll be knitting a sturdy, structured piece that can be used as a functional storage basket. 

Using a thick and durable yarn, such as piping filler cord, cast on about 10 stitches. Knit back and forth until your work is between 30 and 40 inches long. Bind off, leaving a long yarn tail. 

Use the yarn tail to seam the ends of the rectangle you've knit together. Then, use the remaining portion of the tail to cinch the bottom of the basket together. Cut your yarn and weave in the loose end.

Design Tips

You can add handles made from matching rope for an even more practical basket. To create a one-of-a-kind design, try wrapping your cotton rope in leather, colored string or strips of fabric. 

Why We Love It

Storage baskets are useful, on-trend and offer an easy way to keep your home organized. And since they're made of extra-thick yarn or rope, you’ll likely have no trouble completing one in just a couple of hours or less.

Christmas Stocking

A woman standing in front of a fireplace. There is one red and white knit stocking hanging from the fireplace mantle, and the woman is holding a second stocking in her hands.
In the Skillshare class “Easy Knit Christmas Stocking - Beginner Friendly Flat Knitting!,” teacher KnittingHouseSquare helps students knit festive Christmas stockings to decorate their homes for the holidays. 

Overview + Instructions

Knit a festive stocking by casting 34 stitches on circular needles. Knit across each row until your work measures about 13 inches—at this point, you’ll have just knit the leg of your stocking. Next, create the heel turn using double stitches (KnittingHouseSquare explains exactly how to do this in the class shown above).

Start decreasing to create the toe, then use the kitchener stitch to close up the toe. Seam the ends of the stocking together, weave in the loose ends and add a loop so it can be easily hung on a hook.

Design Tips

If you're giving a stocking as a gift, try embroidering the recipient's initials with yarn in a contrasting color. If you'd like to add some extra-festive flair, consider adding bells, ribbons or tinsel.

Why We Love It

Want to get into the holiday spirit while mastering decreasing, shaping and seaming? This project will be perfect for you.

Practice Your Knitting Skills with Skillshare

If you're just dipping your toes into the world of knitting for the first time, there's no better place to start than with the fun, functional projects listed here. Each one will provide you with a structured way to learn the basics and build foundational skills, all while experiencing the satisfaction of creating beautiful and functional items with your own two hands.

From practical wearables like scarves and scrunchies to timeless decor like Christmas stockings and storage baskets, these 11 projects will keep your hands busy and your knitting skills sharp. For more detailed instructions on how to create each one, be sure to check out their corresponding Skillshare classes.

And when you're ready to try more advanced projects or deepen your understanding of knitting fundamentals, Skillshare's library of expert-led online knitting classes is available 24/7. Our teachers can show you how to:

Or, read our beginner-friendly blog posts to learn more about the fiber arts, knitting terminology and the difference between knitting and crocheting.

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Written By
Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz is a freelance writer who lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and dog.

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