A gauge swatch that tells you something
Measure the fabric you actually make, then use those numbers to plan a finished width.
Read the guideTHE JOY OF MAKING, BY HAND
Make something
you’ll want to keep.
A calm place to start knitting. Get to know your yarn, find your rhythm, and turn a few simple stitches into something useful.
01 Learn the basics02 Understand your yarn03 Make your first project
Your next few stitches.
Learn the useful basics first. Let the complicated things wait for another project.
Choose yarn for your first knitting project
Read the label for thickness, length, fibre, and care before you choose a colour.
Read the guideMake a simple garter-stitch practice square
An uncomplicated small project for practising a steady knit stitch and an even edge.
Read the guideKnitting gauge and pattern repeats: worked cast-on examples
See how gauge, finished width, repeat size, and edge stitches work together before choosing a cast-on count.
Read the guideA LITTLE HELP WITH THE NUMBERS
Stitch count calculator
Turn your measured gauge and finished width into a practical cast-on count.
Loop & Purl
Our approach
We use clear terminology, show the maths behind our tools, and encourage a swatch before a fitted project. Needle sizes are given in millimetres; yarn category names are a starting point, not a promise of matching gauge. More about this site.