This pattern is part of a guided “Learn to Knit” series designed by an elementary teacher. Each successive facecloth pattern in the series builds on previous skills in the tiniest increments, making the daunting challenge of learning how to knit accessible. While it is best to pair this guide with the hands-on advice of a knitting shop or friendly neighbourhood knitter, each skill has multiple links to YouTube videos so that you can learn on your own or review lessons when your guide isn’t available.

If you’ve ever tried to teach someone to knit and been at a loss for where to start or where to go next, this series removes that mental puzzle and allows you to focus on what you do best: knit. You can share this guide with your learner so they can access the tutorial links to practice when you aren’t available.

This cloth pattern will help you practice the most common texture used in knitting, Stockinette. On the front of the cloth, you’ll knit and create a row of Vs, but when you turn the needles to knit across the back you’ll purl. A purl stitch is the back of a knit stitch, so by purling across the back you’ll end up with all knit stitch Vs on the front and all purl stitch bumps on the back! Once you’ve mastered the knit and purl stitches, you can put them together into fun and beautiful patterns.

Pre-requisite Skills:
cast on (CO) and bind off (BO)
knit (k)

New Skills:
purl stitch (p)
identifying right and wrong sides of fabric
measuring gauge