Purl & Hook

Yarn, untangled

Learn to knit and crochet, one stitch at a time.

A warm, plain-spoken guide to knitting and crochet for people who are picking up needles or a hook for the very first time. We cover how to hold your tools and make your first stitches, the handful of techniques that unlock almost everything (casting on, the knit and purl stitches, the chain and single crochet, binding off), how to read a pattern without panicking, which yarn and hook or needle to buy without overspending, how to fix dropped stitches and other beginner mishaps, and small, finishable projects that build real skill, so you go from a tangle of yarn to something you're proud to wear or give away.

Getting StartedKnitting BasicsCrochet BasicsStitches & TechniquesYarn & ToolsProjects & Patterns

Fresh off the needles

26 guides
Knitting Basics

How to Join a New Ball of Yarn in Knitting

Learn how to join a new ball of yarn in knitting without knots or holes. Four beginner-friendly methods, plus tips for weaving in ends and changing colors.

August 20, 2026
Getting Started

10 Beginner Knitting and Crochet Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Made a mistake in your knitting or crochet? Good news: most beginner slip-ups are easy to fix. Here are 10 common ones and exactly what to do.

August 18, 2026
Projects & Patterns

How to Crochet a Scarf: A Simple Beginner Pattern

Learn how to crochet a scarf with this easy beginner pattern using double crochet stitch, worsted yarn, and a 5mm hook. Full instructions included.

August 15, 2026
Yarn & Tools

Crochet Hook Sizes Explained for Beginners

Confused by crochet hook sizes? Learn how mm sizing works, how to match hooks to yarn weight, and which size to start with as a beginner.

August 13, 2026
Stitches & Techniques

How to Crochet a Granny Square: A Beginner's Guide

Learn how to crochet a granny square step by step. This beginner-friendly guide covers the magic ring, three rounds, color changes, and joining.

August 11, 2026
Crochet Basics

How to Double Crochet for Beginners

Learn how to double crochet step by step. This beginner guide covers the dc stitch, turning chains, and counting rows so you can start crocheting faster.

August 8, 2026
Knitting Basics

How to Bind Off (Cast Off) in Knitting

Learn how to bind off (cast off) in knitting with clear step-by-step instructions. Keep your edge stretchy and tidy every time.

August 6, 2026
Getting Started

How Long Does It Take to Learn to Knit or Crochet?

Most beginners pick up basic stitches in a single afternoon. Here's an honest timeline for going from total beginner to confident maker.

August 4, 2026
Projects & Patterns

How to Knit a Scarf for Beginners

Learn how to knit a scarf from scratch with this step-by-step beginner guide. Garter stitch, worsted yarn, US 8 needles, and tidy edges.

August 1, 2026
Yarn & Tools

The Best Yarn for Beginners (and What to Avoid)

Choosing the right yarn makes learning to knit or crochet so much easier. Here's what to look for and what to skip until you have more practice.

July 30, 2026
Stitches & Techniques

How to Knit in the Round for Beginners

Learn how to knit in the round and create seamless tubes for hats, socks, and more. Covers circular needles, DPNs, magic loop, and joining without twisting.

July 28, 2026
Crochet Basics

How to Single Crochet for Beginners

Learn the single crochet stitch step by step. This beginner guide covers hook placement, yarn over, pulling up a loop, and keeping tidy edges.

July 25, 2026
Knitting Basics

How to Purl: The Purl Stitch Explained

Learn how to purl stitch step by step. This beginner guide covers technique, common mistakes, and how knit and purl rows combine to make stockinette fabric.

July 23, 2026
Getting Started

How to Hold Knitting Needles and a Crochet Hook

How to hold knitting needles and a crochet hook: the two main grips for each craft, plus tips for tensioning yarn through your fingers.

July 21, 2026
Projects & Patterns

How to Crochet a Dishcloth: An Easy First Project

Learn to crochet a beginner dishcloth using single crochet stitch. Full written pattern, materials list, and tips to keep your edges straight.

July 18, 2026
Yarn & Tools

Yarn Weights Explained: From Lace to Bulky

A plain-English guide to yarn weights for beginners: what the numbers mean, which needle or hook to use, and why worsted is the perfect place to start.

July 16, 2026
Stitches & Techniques

Increases and Decreases in Knitting Explained

Learn how to increase and decrease in knitting with simple techniques like kfb, M1, k2tog, and ssk. Shape your projects with confidence as a beginner.

July 14, 2026
Crochet Basics

How to Make a Slip Knot and Foundation Chain

Learn how to crochet a chain from scratch — slip knot, foundation chain, counting your chains, and keeping even tension. Perfect for complete beginners.

July 11, 2026
Knitting Basics

How to Knit the Knit Stitch for Beginners

Learn how to knit stitch step by step with this beginner guide. Master the knit stitch, build garter stitch fabric, and fix the most common mistakes.

July 9, 2026
Getting Started

Knitting and Crochet Supplies Every Beginner Needs

A plain-English guide to knitting and crochet supplies for beginners — what to buy first, what to skip, and how to start without overspending.

July 7, 2026
Projects & Patterns

How to Read a Knitting or Crochet Pattern for Beginners

A friendly, step-by-step guide to understanding knitting and crochet patterns — from abbreviations and gauge to brackets, asterisks, and US vs UK terms.

July 4, 2026
Yarn & Tools

How to Read a Yarn Label: A Beginner's Guide

Learn how to read a yarn label and understand fiber content, weight, yardage, gauge, care symbols, and dye lot so you always buy the right amount.

July 2, 2026
Stitches & Techniques

How to Knit Ribbing (Knit 1, Purl 1) for Beginners

Learn to knit k1 p1 ribbing step by step: yarn placement, 2x2 rib, reading your work, and fixing the most common beginner mistakes.

June 30, 2026
Crochet Basics

How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn to crochet from scratch: tools, your first slip knot, the chain, the single crochet stitch, and a tiny practice swatch, step by step.

June 27, 2026
Knitting Basics

How to Cast On in Knitting: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to cast on in knitting with clear, beginner-friendly steps. Covers the long tail cast on, backward loop, and tips for keeping your tension loose.

June 25, 2026
Getting Started

Knitting vs. Crochet: Which Should a Beginner Learn First?

Trying to choose between knitting vs crochet? We break down the key differences, which is easier to fix, and which craft suits what you want to make.

June 23, 2026

Browse by topic

Getting StartedPicking up needles or a hook for the first time: which craft to try first, the short list of supplies you actually need, how to hold everything, and your very first practice stitches with no jargon.Knitting BasicsThe four moves that make a knitter — casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and binding off — plus how to join yarn, count rows, and fix the wonky edges every beginner gets at first.Crochet BasicsEverything starts with a slip knot and a chain. Learn the foundation chain, single, half-double, and double crochet, turning your work, and how to keep your edges straight instead of creeping wider.Stitches & TechniquesBeyond the basics: ribbing, the stockinette and garter you keep hearing about, increases and decreases for shaping, working in the round, granny squares, and weaving in ends so nothing unravels.Yarn & ToolsHow to read a yarn label, what the weights and hook or needle sizes mean, which fibers suit a beginner, and the handful of notions worth owning — so you buy the right yarn instead of guessing.Projects & PatternsSmall, finishable makes that build real skill — dishcloths, scarves, simple hats, granny squares — plus how to read a written pattern and a chart without your eyes glazing over.