Step one: casting on knitting. It's simple to learn how to knit.

There are several different techniques for casting on knitting. They each give a slightly different edge. When you are learning to knit , the simplest method to learn is using two needles and 'knitting on' as demonstrated in the video below.

This method gives an even, firm edge which is good for knitting squares for blankets. If you aren't happy with the result, pull it out and start again. Like everything, the more you do it, the better you will get at it.

TIP ONE: Ensure that you don't pull the stitches too tight when casting on knitting. That will make it difficult and frustrating to knit the second row and you may end up pulling at stitches harder resulting in a ragged edge.

Here are the beginner knitting instructions for this method of casting on knitting. Read them and then watch the video, it will help make sense of the words.

1. Make a slip knot. Wrap the yarn, about 10 centimetres (4 inches) from its end, around two fingers crossing it over on the top of them. Push a loop up through the circle this makes to form the knot. Draw it up to tighten it, leaving a small loop, twice the size of your needle.

2. Insert the left hand needle through the loop and pull the end of the yarn to tighten the knot. Don't pull it too tight.

3. Now, using the right hand needle, push it into the back of this single stitch, so it is behind the left hand needle

4. Draw the yarn attached to the ball of wool, from behind the two needles and then thread it over the top of the right hand needle. Pull it forward and draw it down between the two needles

5. Slide the right hand needle down and up to toward you, to catch the yarn between the two needles making a new stitch as you go

6. Transfer this new stitch by slipping the left hand needle through into it from the front, so your left hand needle is positioned at the back of the right hand needle.

7. Release the right hand needle drawing the stitch up, so it has the same tension as the first stitch. (Make sure all your stitches are transferred from the same direction. You can easily draw the new stitch onto the other needle from the back. While this also results in casting on knitting, it will give you a poor edge if you mix up the two directions. Be consistent.)

8. Insert the right hand needle into the back of the new stitch and repeat steps 4 - 7. In essence, this is the same process as the knit stitch (or plain stitch), so once you have mastered this, you have mastered garter stitch (knit stitch every row)

9. Continue casting on until you have the required number of stitches

10. Learn to do the knit stitch and the purl stitch.

To practice casting on knitting, follow this easy knitting pattern and knit an 8 x 8" (20 x 20cm) square. Then please send it to Africa to make blankets for orphans and children affected by HIV AIDS. Learn to knit and knit for charity at the same time.

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