How to get started
The idea behind knitting is making a series of connecting loops using two needles. Sometimes knitted items get mistaken for crochet, which is also a method of creating fabric by connecting a series of loops. The most noticable difference between the knitting and crochet is that knitting uses two needles and crochet uses one needle with a hook at the end.
So, because this is called section is called Knit School, I'll show you how to knit.
So if knitting is a series of connecting loops, you have to start out with some loops. This process is referred to as "casting on." There are lots of ways to cast on, including simply twisting the yarn over one of the needles, but I'm going to demonstrate what is referred to as the "long-tail cast on."
First you need a loop. To do that, you need to make a slip knot.
As the name implies, you will need a long tail, so go ahead and pull out about 3 feet of yarn from the ball. Make a loop and with the tip of one of your needles, pull a piece of yarn through the middle of the loop and gently tug on the two ends of yarn. You should now have a sturdy loop on your needle, which is counted as the first stitch.
To cast on more stitches, you will work with only one of the needles. The needle should be in the hand you would write with (so if you are right-handed, the needle should be in your right hand).
Let the two ends of the yarn hang down. With your left hand, grab the two pieces of yarn with your pinky, ring and middle fingers. Then insert your index and thumb through the loop formed between the yarn you are holding and the needle.
Move the needle downward. It should look like a 'V'. With the tip of the needle, pick up the yarn on the outside of the thumb, cross over to the inside of the index finger and loop the yarn, then sweep it through the center of the loop formed by your thump and index finger.
Once you have a bunch of loops on a needle, then there are two ways to create a new row of loops. All knitting stitches, including complicated looking cables and lace, are made up by essentially two stitches: the knit stitch and the purl stitch.
To do a knit stitch, first move the yarn that is coming from the ball to the back of the work. Place the tip of the needle in your right hand (if you are right handed) and enter the first loop on the left hand needle from the front left side .
The purl stitch