Complete Beginners Guide

How to get started with knitting or crochet

Getting started can sometimes be daunting for complete beginners. Is knitting or crochet best for you? What tools are needed? What does all the terminology mean? How do you read a pattern? Which yarn to choose? These are all common questions for people just starting.

We'll try to guide you through some of the basics below and don't forget we are here to help if you have questions!

Knitting Or Crochet?

There's no right or wrong answer to this question - it really depends on personal preferences and which one appeals to you more.

Some people find knitting easier because it uses two needles & a whole section of stitches are held on the needles/cable. Others find crochet easier because it uses only one hook and allows for more flexibility and free-form improv in creating textures & shapes.

Some people love the idea of making small projects like toys & accessories, so crochet may suit them. Others want to make garments so might gravitate towards knitting, even though there are plenty of wonderful patterns available for crocheted garments.

Have a read of Deb's helpful blog post to help you decide...

Read More

Step 2

Explore Fabulous Yarn

We stock over 10,000 different brands, types and colours of yarn so it can be an overwhelming choice for newbies! But here are some options that beginners tend to love...

Fiddlesticks Finch – 10ply weight cotton yarn

Beginner-Friendly

Fiddlesticks Peppin 14 – 14ply+ weight wool yarn

Thick Yarn

Skein Sisters Fabulous Sock – 4ply weight merino, nylon yarn

Hand-Dyed

Kremke Soul Wool Silky Kid – 2ply weight mohair, silk yarn

Fluffy Yarn

Bellissimo 8 – 8ply weight merino yarn

Bestsellers

Step 3

What to Make?

Kits are perfect for beginners because they include all the yarn you need for a project and you don't have to figure out how much to buy. Many kits also include the Pattern.

Garter Baby Blanket kit
Vendor: Bellissimo

Garter Baby Blanket Kit - Knit or Crochet

$137.65
100% Merino

8ply

DK

Crochet
Knitting
Skein Sisters The Local Scarf knitting kit
Vendor: Fiddlesticks

Skein Sisters The Local Scarf Kit

$61.15
40% Wool

40% Acrylic, 20% Alpaca

14ply+

Super Bulky/Chunky

Knitting
7mm

Needle

My First Beanie knitting kit
Vendor: Skein Sisters

My First Beanie Kit

$22.40
50% Alpaca

35% Acrylic, 15% Wool

14ply+

Super Bulky/Chunky

Knitting
6mm

Needle

Skein Sisters Trackwork Scarf knitting kit
Vendor: Fiddlesticks

Skein Sisters Trackwork Scarf Kit

$75.60
50% Alpaca

35% Acrylic, 15% Wool

14ply+

Super Bulky/Chunky

Knitting
6.5mm

Needle

Chatsworth Blanket knitting kit
Vendor: Fiddlesticks

Chatsworth Blanket Kit

$218.55
100% Cotton

10ply

Worsted/Aran

Knitting
5.5mm

Needle

K3072 Child's Jacket & Hat Kit in NZ Possum Fusion 4ply
Vendor: Naturally Yarns

K3072 Child's Jacket & Hat Kit in NZ Possum Fusion 4ply

From $52.05
Merino

Viscose, Possum

Knitting
3.25mm

Needle

Cardigans
Beanies/Hats
Christie Shawl knitting kit
Vendor: Bellissimo

Christie Shawl Kit

$125.70
53% Cotton

47% Merino

10ply

Worsted/Aran

Knitting
7mm

Needle

Mercedes Sweater knitting kit
Vendor: Fiddlesticks

Mercedes Sweater Kit

From $113.20
100% Merino

4ply

Sock/Fingering

Knitting
3.25mm

Needle

Step 4

Get Equipped

Here are our suggestions for essential beginner-friendly tools to get you started.

Step 5

Learn Skills

Learning some basic skills will make your first project a lot more enjoyable. Consider joining a beginner-friendly class in Sydney, or order one of our recommended books for beginners.

Skein Sisters Knitters' Virtual Help Desk
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Skein Sisters Knitters' Virtual Help Desk

$60.00
Knitting
5.0
Private Classes at Skein Sisters
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Private Classes at Skein Sisters

$75.00
Crochet
Knitting
1 hrs
Finding your way around Ravelry with Jane
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Finding your way around Ravelry with Jane

$80.00
Knitting
Crochet
2 hrs
Beyond Beginner Knitting with Linda
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Beyond Beginner Knitting with Linda

$115.00
Knitting
3 hrs
Advanced Beginner
Crack the Code: Learn to read knitting patterns with Linda
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Crack the Code: Learn to read knitting patterns with Linda

$115.00
Knitting
3 hrs
Advanced Beginner
Ready Set Swatch! Master the art of swatching your knitting
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Ready Set Swatch! Master the art of swatching your knitting

$80.00
Knitting
2 hrs
Advanced Beginner
Knit My First Shawl - Advanced Beginner
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Knit My First Shawl - Advanced Beginner

$95.00
Knitting
3 hrs
Advanced Beginner
Knit My First Sweater - Advanced Beginner
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Knit My First Sweater - Advanced Beginner

$135.00
Knitting
3.5 hrs
Advanced Beginner
Continental Knitting
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Continental Knitting

$80.00
Knitting
2 hrs
Advanced Beginner
Crochet Techniques Every Knitter Should Know
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Crochet Techniques Every Knitter Should Know

$80.00
Crochet
Knitting
2 hrs
Advanced Beginner
5.0
Learn to Knit - Beginner
Vendor: Skein Sisters Workshops

Learn to Knit - Beginner

$135.00
Knitting
3 hrs
Beginner

Sisters Yarn Tales

Check out the Skein Sisters blog articles about all things yarn, knitting, and crochet...

Balls of yarn at Skein Sisters shop, photo by Rhiannon Hopley

The Australian Guide to Yarn Weights and Ply – for Knitters and Crocheters

Australian and UK patterns talk in ply while the rest of the world talks in weight names. Here's the plain-English guide – with a conversion chart, wraps-per-inch and a yarn idea for every weight.

Read more

A dark green sock cuff in progress on a circular needle with a red cable, beside a cake of the same yarn and a sprig of white gum blossom

The Best Needles for Knitting Socks

Three knitters, three completely different sock setups, and one brand they all came back to. Here is what we actually knit socks on, and what to start with.

Read more

A pair of rainbow-striped hand-knitted socks laid flat to show both heels

Which Sock Heel Should You Knit?

Everyone says the heel is the hard part. After talking to three sock knitters, I think everyone is wrong about why - and the fix is much simpler than learning a new heel.

Read more

A dark green sock being knitted from the top down on a circular needle, with a cake of the same yarn

Top-Down or Toe-Up Socks?

Two directions, three knitters, three different answers. Here is how Helen, Olga and Janine each knit their socks, and how to work out which one suits you.

Read more