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In my beginning knitting classes, I always use a Medium (#4) yarn with size 8 or 9 needles, depending on how thick the yarn is (8s with worsted weight, 9s with Aran weight). It’s also a good idea to use a light colored yarn so you can see your stitches. 

## Yarn Labels 

There is a wealth of information on yarn labels. Take a close look at a label and you should see the fiber content, the recommended needle size, washing instructions, and gauge information (for more on gauge see "Gauge" below). 

As you become a more experienced knitter you’ll learn how to interpret the information on a yarn label to help you decide what to use a specific yarn for. 

For the purposes of this eBook, find yourself a yarn that knits up at 4.5 to 5 stitches per inch on size 8 or 9 needles. 

## Needles 

If you’ve been to a yarn shop or craft store, you’ve noticed all the different types of needles available. There are wooden needles and metal needles made from all kinds of different wood and all kinds of different metal! 

You’ve probably also noticed that there are straight needles (two separate needles) and cir- cular needles, which aren’t actually circular, they’re made up of two needle tips connected by a cable. Circular needles are use to knit items that are circular or they’re used to knit items that are very wide, such as afghans or baby blankets. 

As you progress in knitting and try out different types of needles, you’ll discover which type you like best and which needles work for different types of yarn. 

For this tutorial I recommend a set of straight bamboo needles. The bamboo grips the yarn a little bit so your stitches won’t slide around too much. 

## Gauge 

In knitting, gauge is a measurement of your knitting that is a critical factor in getting and accurate fit. All patterns are based on a specific number of stitches and rows per inch of knitting. If your knitting doesn’t match that specification, chances are good that your garment won’t fit properly. 

You “get gauge” by knitting a swatch, which is a 4- by 

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Yarn Label 

4-inch square piece of knitting. The pattern tells you the number of stitches and rows you need to get that 4"X 4" square, and you change needle sizes if you’re not getting gauge. 

To measure the gauge, lay the swatch flat, place a tape measure or ruler parallel to a row of stitches, and count the number of stitches are in 4 inches. This is your stitch gauge per 4 inches. Compare this gauge to the one speci- fied in the pattern. 

If your swatch is too loose (fewer stitches than called for) you need to go down a needle size. If your swatch is too tight (more stitches than called for) you need to go up a needle size. 

For the patterns at the end of this eBook, gauge is not crucial, but it’s still provided as a guideline. 

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This swatch shows how much needle size can change the size (gauge) of your knitting. This is knit from the same yarn, going up a needle size with each color change. 

