A Beginner's Guide to Reading Knitting Patterns for Homeschool Moms

knitting is a life skill that we should be teaching our children in our homeschools. I put together this beginner’s guide to reading knitting patterns for homeschool moms to help those starting on that journey!

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But once your child learns and understands how to form stitches and create basic scarves and dish cloths, she’ll be ready to follow knitting patterns for more complex projects! So this is your beginner’s guide to reading knitting patterns for homeschool moms!

There are so many reasons to add knitting to your homeschool curriculum!

Why Knitting Patterns Matter

Knitting patterns can be found online, free or paid, and in books. They’re written by knitting designers to guide knitters through a project. In it, you can find the basic information such as what yarn and needles are used, but there are also more in depth notes, photos, and sometimes video tutorial links through the difficult parts of a pattern.

Patterns can be very basic, but they can also be very complex for certain types of projects. Especially patterns involving color work, cable knitting, or shaping sock heels and sweater collars.

It is so important to learn to read and fully understand a knitting pattern, even before you start the project. Everyone needs to check the yarn info just as my beginner’s guide to reading knitting patterns explains. This helps you make sure to have all the supplies you need, and enough yarn! Once you’re in the thick of it, trying to decipher abbreviations can be so much harder! Thankfully, there are just a few main sections to go over that you’ll find in most knitting patterns.

Key Components of a Knitting Pattern

These are the parts that you’ll find in most knitting patterns. The best places that I find knitting patterns are in books, for free on blogs, and free or paid on Ravelry.com.

Yarn and Needle Requirements

The thickness of yarn you’re using is called the yarn weight. You’ll find the weight of your yarn on the yarn label, which you can learn to read here. Yarn weight standards are as follows:

The yarn used in a pattern will be listed. Some designers will give the specific yarn name and colors used, but others will only suggest a weight of yarn. I typically write both into my patterns. For example: “Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick Yarn, or any size bulky yarn.”

The same is true of knitting needle sizes. Again, check the yarn label for the suggested needle size, and look at your pattern to see what size needles they used. Sometimes I find a yarn with a label for size US 6-9 needles, but the pattern specifically tells me US 7.

Gauge

Despite a pattern and yarn label telling you what yarn and needles to use, you have one more step to take before you start your knitting project: the gauge.

All knitters knit with different tensions, some tight and some loose. If I knit a sweater with a really loose tension, but you knit that same sweater in the same yarn, with the same needles, your sweater will turn out smaller than mine. This is why patterns will tell you the gauge it was knit with. You want your gauge to match theirs. If it doesn’t, then you need to go up or down a needle size with that yarn.

To find your gauge, knit a 4″ x 4″ swatch (what most patterns will list). Then use a tape measurer to count how many stitches it took for you to knit 4″ in a row of stitches, and 4″ in multiple rows top to bottom. You want to match the gauge if you’re doing fitted projects, such as sweaters, mittens, and socks. Dish cloths and scarves won’t matter as much, if you’re following the suggested yarn and needle combination listed.

Abbreviations and Terms

I filmed a whole video explaining common knitting abbreviations that you can check out on my YouTube channel here. Here’s a short list of commonly used knitting abbreviations:

k = knit
p = purl
st = stitch
inc = increase a stitch
dec = decrease a stitch

Other terms frequently used in patterns:

RS = right side of work
WS = wrong side of work
CO = how many stitches to cast on
BO = bind off

Understanding Pattern Instructions

Reading Rows and Rounds

For a beginner’s guide to reading knitting patterns, understanding the difference between knitting flat and in the round is essential for mastering various knitting projects.

Knitting flat involves working back and forth on straight needles, creating rows of stitches. This method is commonly used for making items like scarves, blankets, and pieces of clothing that are sewn together later.

In contrast, knitting in the round involves using circular needles or double-pointed needles to create a seamless tube of stitches. This technique is ideal for making hats, socks, and seamless garments.

One thing to notice is that when knitting flat, you turn the work at the end of each row, whereas in the round, you continuously knit in a spiral without turning. Understanding these basics will help you choose the right technique for your project and develop your knitting skills effectively.

Shaping Techniques

Shaping techniques in knitting are methods used to create curves and contours in your projects, such as sleeves, necklines, or even toy shapes. To understand shaping instructions as a beginner, you’ll encounter terms like “increase” and “decrease.” Increases add stitches to your work, making it wider or fuller, while decreases remove stitches to shape it narrower or taper. Typically, these instructions are written as abbreviations like “inc” for increase or “dec” for decrease, followed by the type of stitch to use (e.g., knit or purl).

To count rows for shaping, it’s helpful to place stitch markers at the beginning and end of the shaping section to track your progress easily. As you knit, remember to check your pattern frequently to ensure you’re following the shaping instructions correctly. Practice and patience will help you master these techniques, allowing you to create beautifully shaped projects with confidence!

Finishing Details

To round out this beginner’s guide to reading knitting patterns, we can’t forget the last few pages of the pattern! Finishing details in knitting are crucial for giving your project a polished look. Once you’ve completed your final row, you’ll need to bind off, which means securing your stitches to prevent them from unraveling. There will be instructions on how to do this in the pattern, as well as any other details needed, like buttons or fringe. Blocking is another important step where you wet or steam your finished piece to shape and set the stitches evenly. Some patterns don’t actually tell you how to block! It’s as simple as laying your project flat to dry and pinning it into shape. These finishing touches ensure your knitting looks professional and lasts longer, making your hard work truly shine.

Tips for Teaching Children to Read Knitting Patterns

There are so many types of knitting patterns out there. Here are my tips for taking all this information and teaching your children how to knit and read knitting patterns completely on their own:

Start Simple

Simple Scarf:
- A basic garter stitch scarf is perfect for beginners. It teaches the fundamental knit stitch and allows kids to practice consistency in tension. Choose a soft, chunky yarn and large needles for quicker progress.
- Tip: Break down the steps into manageable parts and encourage patience as they get used to holding needles and yarn.
Cozy Hat:
- Knitting a hat in the round introduces kids to circular needles and basic shaping techniques like increases and decreases. Start with a simple ribbed brim and then switch to stockinette stitch for the body of the hat.
- Tip: Demonstrate each step slowly and repeatedly, emphasizing the importance of counting stitches and rows for consistent sizing.
Cuddly Toy:
- Knitting a small stuffed animal or toy can be a fun and rewarding project. Choose a simple pattern with basic shaping and finishing techniques. This project allows kids to practice increases, decreases, and sewing pieces together.
- Tip: Encourage creativity by letting them choose yarn colors and personalize their toy.

Teaching knitting to kids requires patience and a relaxed approach. Allow them to progress at their own pace, celebrating small achievements along the way. Emphasize the joy of creating something with their own hands and the satisfaction of finishing a project and doing their best work. With practice and encouragement, knitting can become a valuable skill and a source of creativity for homeschooling families.

Use Visual Aids

For teaching kids to knit, I recommend YouTube videos and patterns with clear illustrations.

Kids can take their time through a book, or pause a video and come back to it later when they need a break, or are still working through something. My personal way to teach my own young children to knit is printing off pattern PDFs or looking at a pattern book, since we’re not big on screen time for kids.

Resources for Homeschool Moms and Kids

This Yellow Farmhouse blog and YouTube channel
Fiber and Fellowship group on Facebook, a community of homeschool moms teaching their kids to knit

Books and Online Guides

Local Knitting Groups and Classes

Local yarn shops have so much information and lots of classes and workshops for kids to learn in person. There is a lot of support and community that can be found there!

– Encourage homeschool moms to explore knitting as an educational and enjoyable activity for their children.

– Invite readers to share their experiences and ask questions in the comments section.

You can connect with a community of homeschool mothers who incorporate knitting into their curriculum on our Facebook page here.

encouragement from the beginner’s guide to reading knitting patterns

You can be a calm and patient mom who has now read the beginner’s guide to reading knitting patterns and have way better results than a frazzled mom! Remember, start with a simple project first. If you have questions or want to share your experiences teaching kids to knit, head over to the Fiber and Fellowship Facebook group, we’re glad to knit and chat together!

You can also subscribe to A Cozy Note, a email newsletter from me for tips and resources on homeschooling and knitting.

I pray that this helps you through the basics of reading knitting patterns while fostering a love for crafting in their children.