Tips, Tricks & Basics: How to Knit Left Handed for Beginners

Knitting left-handed can feel like a challenge, but it opens up a world of creativity and relaxation. In this context, we’re not just talking about holding the yarn with the left hand, but actually using the left needle as your working needle opposed to the right. Learning the basics of left-handed knitting requires reversing the usual right-handed techniques. This means moving stitches from the right needle to the left needle, making the process a mirror image of traditional knitting.

You may find it helpful to use a mirror when learning new stitches, as suggested by this guide. This technique allows you to see how stitches should look when done with your left hand. Following patterns meant for right-handed knitters is totally doable; you just need to flip the instructions to match your knitting style.

Understanding these adjustments can make a big difference in your knitting experience. With practice, you will find that left-handed knitting is just as intuitive and enjoyable as right-handed knitting. This blog post will give you all the tips and tricks you need to get started and advance your skills.

Key Takeaways

• Learn the basics by reversing traditional knitting techniques.
• Use a mirror to better understand stitch placement.
• Adjust right-handed patterns to fit your left-handed knitting.

Understanding Left-Handed Knitting

Knitting for left-handed individuals involves reversing the usual knitting process. This means starting on the right needle and moving stitches to the left needle, mimicking the steps of right-handed knitting, but in reverse.

Differences Between Left-Handed and Right-Handed Knitting

In right-handed knitting, stitches are transferred from the left needle to the right needle.

Left-handed knitting is the opposite: stitches are transferred from the right needle to the left needle.

This reversal can make patterns appear like a mirror image of right-handed knitting.

When using a pattern designed for right-handed knitters, reverse the instructions to fit your left-handed technique. For Southpaws, the yarn wraps clockwise around the needle, a difference from the counter-clockwise wrap in right-handed knitting.

Knitting Needle Orientation for Lefties

Left-handed knitters hold the working needle in their left hand and the other needle in their right hand. This is different from right-handed knitting, where the right hand holds the working needle.

When starting, place stitches on the right needle. Move them to the left needle as you work. This may feel awkward at first, but with practice, it becomes natural.

Using a mirror can help. You can watch right-handed tutorials and mimic the movements in reverse, making it easier to learn and understand the process.

Setting Up Your Knitting Tools

Having the right tools set up before you start knitting left-handed can make a big difference. This includes choosing the correct needles and ensuring your yarn is prepared and ready for use.

Choosing the Right Needles

Selecting the right needles is crucial for beginners. Wooden needles are often recommended as they provide a bit of friction, which helps keep the yarn from slipping off too easily. This can make it easier for you to manage your stitches.

If you have an interchangeable knitting needle set, consider using a smaller needle on your left needle to improve tension. For example, using a size 7 needle on the left and a size 8 on the right can help maintain even stitches.

Circular needles can also be a great choice since they allow for a more relaxed knitting posture. If your circular needle cables become twisted, dipping them in hot water can untangle them. This makes your knitting experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Preparing the Yarn and Needles

Before you begin, prepare your yarn and needles. Start by winding your yarn into a ball if it isn’t already in that form. This prevents the yarn from tangling and makes it easier to pull from as you knit.

Next, create a slip knot and place it on your left needle. This is the starting point for most knitting projects. Then, use the long tail cast-on method to add the necessary number of stitches onto the left needle. The long tail cast-on provides a neat and stretchy edge, ideal for many types of projects.

Ensure that the working needle (the needle that holds the stitches you are about to knit) is in your right hand. The yarn tail should be on the right, while the loose yarn from the ball should be on the left side. This setup will make the knitting process more straightforward and prevent unnecessary difficulty.

By carefully choosing your tools and setting them up properly, you’ll find knitting left-handed easier and more enjoyable.

Basic Knitting Techniques

When knitting left handed, understanding the basics like casting on, the knit stitch, and the purl stitch is essential. These techniques form the foundation for all knitting projects and will be the basis for all the patterns you follow.

Casting On Your First Stitches

To begin, you’ll need to cast on your first stitches. This step is about creating the initial row of loops on your needle. Start with a slip knot on your right needle.

With the working yarn in your left hand, place the yarn over your left index finger. Insert the needle under the yarn loop on your index finger and pull it through to create a new loop.

Slide this loop onto your right needle. Repeat the process until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle. Each new loop forms the foundation for your first row.

The Knit Stitch

The knit stitch is fundamental in knitting. Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your right hand. Insert the left needle into the front of the first stitch on the right needle.

Wrap the working yarn counter-clockwise around the left needle using your left hand. Draw the new loop through the stitch.

Slide the old stitch off the right needle. Continue this process across the row. The knit stitch creates a series of “V”-shaped stitches, which form the majority of textures in knitting patterns.

The Purl Stitch

The purl stitch is the complement to the knit stitch and is just as important. Hold the needle with the stitches in your right hand. Insert the left needle from back to front into the first stitch.

Wrap the working yarn counter-clockwise around the left needle. Pull the new stitch through the old stitch and slip the old stitch off the right needle.

Alternate purl and knit stitches to create various patterns and textures. The purl stitch forms bumps, creating a different texture than the knit stitch.

Together, these two stitches allow you to make a wide range of patterns and designs.

Knitting Your First Projects

When you start your first knitting projects, it’s important to choose simple patterns and techniques. Focus on mastering basic stitches and getting comfortable with the movements of your needles and yarn.

Creating a Basic Scarf

A basic scarf is an excellent first project for beginners. Start by selecting a pattern that uses simple stitches. Choose a medium-weight yarn and wooden needles to make the process easier.

Casting On: Use the long-tail cast-on method to start. This will give your edge a neat, flexible finish.

Knit Stitch: Work in garter stitch, which consists of knitting every row. This is the easiest stitch for beginners and avoids the need to switch between knit and purl stitches.

Maintaining Tension: Keep your yarn tension even to create a uniform fabric. Avoid pulling too tight or leaving it too loose.

Length: Measure the desired length as you go. Standard scarves are about 60 inches long, but you can adjust this based on preference.

Binding Off: Finish by binding off your last row, which secures your stitches and completes the project.

Mastering the Stockinette Stitch

The stockinette stitch is a bit more advanced than the garter stitch but still suitable for beginners. It creates a smooth, V-shaped pattern on the right side and a bumpy texture on the left side.

Knit and Purl Rows: To create the stockinette stitch, alternate between knitting one row and purling the next. Knit rows form the right side, and purl rows form the left side.

Avoid Curling: The stockinette stitch tends to curl. To combat this, add a border of garter stitch or use blocking techniques after finishing your project.

Common Mistakes: Watch for extra loops or dropped stitches. Fix them promptly to maintain the look of your fabric.

Practice Swatches: Create small practice swatches to get the hang of alternating knit and purl rows before starting a larger project. This helps you learn the rhythm and prevents mistakes.

Advanced Tips for Left-Handed Knitters

Mastering more advanced techniques in left-handed knitting can greatly enhance your skills and allow for more intricate projects. Important areas to focus on include increasing and decreasing stitches and knitting in the round.

Increasing and Decreasing

Increasing and decreasing stitches are essential for shaping your projects. For left-handed knitters, working with the left-hand needle, you need to make adjustments to traditional methods.

Increasing Stitches:

• Make 1 (M1) Increase: Use the front of the stitch to pick up the yarn with your non-dominant hand and knit through the back loop. This creates a new stitch without leaving a noticeable gap.
• Knit Front and Back (KFB): Knit into the front of the next stitch, then knit again into the back loop before slipping it off the needle. This adds a stitch smoothly and evenly.

Decreasing Stitches:

• Knit Two Together (K2TOG): To do this, insert your needle into the next two stitches as if to knit them together. Knit through both loops, creating a single stitch from two.
• Slip Slip Knit (SSK): Slip the first stitch knit-wise, then the second stitch knit-wise, and knit them together through the back loops. This method creates a left-leaning decrease, which is useful for shaping edges.

Knitting in the Round

Knitting in the round can be tricky for left-handed knitters. Here are some specific adjustments that can help.

Using Circular Needles:

• Start with the stitches on your right needle and work towards your left-hand needle. This is the same principle as traditional knitting, just adjusted for a mirror knitter.
• When joining in the round, ensure your stitches are not twisted.

Using Double-Pointed Needles (DPNs):

• Divide your stitches evenly among three or four needles. Hold the needles in your non-dominant hand and knit with your dominant hand.
• To prevent ladders between the needles, pull the first two stitches of each needle tight.

Magic Loop Technique:

• This method allows you to knit smaller circumferences with longer circular needles. Split the stitches into two parts, with half on each side. As a left-handed knitter, you will pull the back needle to the front and knit with your left-hand needle.

By mastering these advanced techniques, you can tackle more complex knitting projects with confidence and precision.

Practical Guidance for Left-Handed Knitters

When knitting left-handed, understanding the correct grip and tension, as well as troubleshooting common issues, is essential for a smooth experience. These practical tips will help you navigate knitting in the opposite direction more effectively.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

One major issue left-handed knitters face is difficulty following standard knitting patterns, which are designed for right-handed people. You need to reverse the directions. If a pattern tells right-handed knitters to move stitches from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle, you will do the opposite.

Another common problem is twisted stitches. This often happens because you might be wrapping the yarn incorrectly. Always ensure you’re wrapping yarn in the correct direction. For left-handed knitting, wrap the yarn clockwise around the needle.

Dropped stitches are another frequent problem. Use a crochet hook to pick up missed stitches. Also, practice can help you keep control of your needles and yarn.

Finding the Correct Grip and Tension

Holding your needles and yarn correctly can make a big difference. Start by holding the left-hand needle in your dominant hand and the right-hand needle in your non-dominant hand. This can feel strange at first, but it helps maintain consistent tension.

Grip should be firm but not too tight. If your stitches are too loose, tighten your grip. Conversely, if stitches are too tight, loosen up a bit.

Maintaining proper tension is crucial for creating even stitches. The yarn should flow smoothly over your fingers without too much slack or pull. Practicing with simpler patterns can help you get used to the correct grip and improve your tension control.

For those new to left-handed knitting, using a mirror to copy right-handed movements can be an effective method to learn.

Creating an Inclusive Knitting Environment

Creating an inclusive knitting environment involves understanding the needs of left-handed knitters and advocating for their representation. This approach ensures everyone can enjoy the craft regardless of their dominant hand.

Educating Yourself and Others

To foster inclusivity, start by educating yourself about left-handed knitting techniques. Learning the continental method can be beneficial, as it often feels more intuitive for left-handed people. You might also find tutorials by experts like Karen Lynn helpful, which offer step-by-step guides.

Discuss left-handed techniques openly in your knitting circles. Share resources and tips on left-handed knitting and encourage others to do the same. This can include how to adjust basic stitches or handle patterns designed for right-handed knitters.

Be mindful of your privacy policy and cookie policy when sharing online resources. Ensure the information you provide respects privacy and is accurate. This way, you are building a trustworthy and supportive community for all knitters.

Left-Handed Knitting Advocacy

Advocating for left-handed knitting means you push for more visibility and resources. Support content creators who offer left-handed tutorials and patterns. This can include sharing their work on social media or suggesting their videos to new knitters.

When participating in knitting groups or forums, recommend patterns or techniques that are left-hand friendly. Explain the benefits of including the continental method in their learning materials.

Encourage knitting stores to stock resources tailored for left-handed people. This could be specific tools, books, or instructional videos. Advocacy in your local knitting community builds an environment where every knitter feels valued and included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning how to knit left handed involves reversing standard techniques and finding resources tailored for left-handed knitters. Here are answers to common questions you might have.

What are the fundamental differences in technique for left-handed knitters compared to right-handed knitters?

Left-handed knitting is a mirror image of right-handed knitting. Instead of moving stitches from the left needle to the right needle, you will move them from the right needle to the left needle. The yarn is wrapped in the opposite direction, going clockwise around the needle.

How does one cast on stitches when knitting left-handed?

To cast on stitches left-handed, you’ll start with your working needle in the left hand. The basic method remains the same, but you reverse the direction. Some left-handed knitters find it helpful to use a mirror to visualize the steps.

Where can I find free left-handed knitting patterns tailored for beginners?

Many websites offer free left-handed knitting patterns. You can find beginner patterns specifically for left-handed knitters on NobleKnits and other knitting blogs. These patterns are designed to make your learning process smoother.

Can you explain the continental method for left-handed knitting?

The continental method for left-handed knitting involves holding the yarn in your left hand and using your right hand to manipulate the needles. You will perform the knitting and purling motions in reverse. This method can be faster once mastered.

Are there beginner-friendly books that focus on left-handed knitting?

Yes, several books are available for left-handed beginners. These books offer step-by-step instructions designed for left-handed people and those just wanting to learn how to knit left handed. You might find them in local bookstores or online retailers that specialize in knitting resources.

What resources are available for learning to knit left-handed through visual aids such as pictures or videos?

Visual aids are very helpful for left-handed knitters. You can find instructional videos on YouTube and tutorials with pictures on sites like wikiHow. These resources can guide you through techniques more clearly than text alone.