When you’re learning to knit, it can be much more satisfying to have some small projects to practice with instead of an intimidatingly large project like a scarf, but most patterns you’ll find require more skills, including the skill of reading a pattern! If you’re not ready to tackle formal patterns but do want to make something new, here are 5 projects to create a usable finished item by simply knitting a square or rectangle using only the knit stitch, a cast on, a bind off, and a pinch of seaming or sewing. 

Each of these projects recommends worsted weight yarn and US 8 (5mm) needles because they are both happy mediums between fine weight projects and bulky projects. Bulky yarns and large needles create FOs quickly, but they’re not ideal for practicing fundamentals because they’re so large that it can be difficult to carry your yarn at the same time as you move your needles, which is the goal for comfortable knitting. There are many different knitting styles, but the most common, efficient, ergonomic styles all have you hold the yarn continuously, not repeatedly let it go and pick it up, and practicing this will help you as you advance in skill.

1. A Dishcloth

Using a worsted weight cotton yarn like Dishie and size US 8 (5mm) needles, cast on approximately 36 stitches and knit enough rows until it looks square. Bind off, cut your yarn, and weave in the ends. This will make 7-9” (18-23cm) square, depending on your personal knitting gauge.

We used one skein of Dishie Twist in the colorway Silver for this dishcloth, with plenty leftover for more dishcloths. If knitting with cotton isn’t comfortable for you, try using a superwash wool like Wool of the Andes Superwash to make a washable potholder.  

2. A Headband

Using a soft, cozy, worsted weight yarn like Swish Worsted and size US 8 (5mm) needles, cast on approximately 22 stitches and knit enough rows until it will wrap comfortably over your ears and around your head when lightly stretched. Bind off, cut your yarn leaving a tail 4 times the length of the bind off edge. Using the long tail, sew the cast on edge to the bind off edge to create the headband. This will make a 4.5-5.5” (12-14cm) wide headband, depending on your personal knitting gauge, with your chosen circumference.

We used one skein of Swish Worsted in the colorway Conch for this headband.

3. Fingerless Mitts

Using a sturdy, worsted weight yarn like Wool of the Andes and size US 8 (5mm) needles, cast on approximately 30 stitches and knit enough rows until it will wrap comfortably around your palm when lightly stretched. Bind off, cut your yarn leaving an 8” (20) cm tail. Using the tail, sew the cast on edge to the bind off edge 2” (5cm), secure the tail, trim it and weave in the ends. Starting at the opposite end of your knitting and working towards the seam you already finished with a new piece of yarn, sew another 2” (5cm) of the cast on edge to the bind off edge to create a tube with a thumb hole in the middle. Secure the yarn, trim it, and weave in the ends. This will make a 6-7” (15-18cm) long mitt, depending on your personal knitting gauge, with your chosen circumference. Repeat to make a matching second mitt.

We used one skein of Wool of the Andes in the colorway Creme Brulee for both mitts. For larger hands, you may need two skeins. 

4. A Hat with Gathered Crown

Using a soft, cozy, worsted weight yarn like Swish Worsted and size US 8 (5mm) needles, cast on approximately 40 stitches and knit enough rows until it will wrap comfortably over your ears and around your head when lightly stretched. Bind off, cut your yarn leaving a tail 4 times the length of the bind off edge. Using the tail, sew the cast on edge to the bind off edge to create a tube. With another piece of yarn, run a piece of yarn around one edge of the tube, passing it through the edge loop of each ridge of your knitting. Pull tight to gather, secure the yarn, and weave in any remaining ends. This will make a 7.5-9.5” (19-24cm) deep hat, depending on your personal knitting gauge, with your chosen circumference. If you don’t love the look of the center of the gathers or find yourself with a gap there, add a pompom!

We used two skeins of Swish Worsted in the colorway Green Tea Heather with yarn leftover. 

5. A Cowl

Using a soft, cozy, worsted weight yarn like Swish Worsted and size US 8 (5mm) needles, cast on approximately 45 stitches and knit enough rows until it measures at least 24” (61cm) without stretching for a single loop cowl or at least 50” (127cm) for a double loop cowl. Bind off, cut your yarn leaving a tail 4 times the length of the bind off edge. Using the tail, sew the cast on edge to the bind off edge to create a tube. This will make a 9-11” (23-28cm) deep cowl, depending on your personal knitting gauge, with your chosen length.

We used two full skeins of Swish Worsted in the colorway Wonderland Heather for the single loop version with none leftover. You may want to have three skeins on hand to be sure you won’t run out of yarn. For the double loop version, we’d recommend using five skeins. 

Did we include your favorite beginner knitter project? What do you like to recommend to new knitters?