How to Finger Knit with your Hands: For Beginners

How to Finger Knit? Learning how to finger knit is fun and relaxing. You get to exercise your fingers, bond with your kids, and make beautiful pieces. The good thing is that this skill does not restrict those with no prior knitting knowledge and skills.

With the right guidelines, you can master the skill to finger knit. You can also get woven labels to add value to your knitted projects and appeal to your clients. If you want to learn more about finger knitting, let’s delve in.

Table of Contents

Factors to Consider Before You Learn How to Finger Knit

Image source: Montessori Handwork

1. Yarn

What’s the best yarn for finger knitting? Unlike when you are learning how to knit, finger knitting relies on your fingers, not needles. So, you need a yarn that you can easily manipulate to give the best results.

Before you click that video on how to finger knit, check the type and size of yarn you have. If you are a novice or introducing your kid to this, buying a chunky, DK, or Aran yarn would make the learning process smooth.

You can also start with loop yarn which has circles that make finger knitting simple and fast. Ensure that the texture of the yarn is favorable to your hands. If you are an intermediate or expert knitter, you can use multiple strands of thin yarn.

2. Projects

After seeing your friend’s sophisticated finger knitted necklace, you must be excited about acquiring this skill. That’s a good motivation, but you need to consider your skill level before you grab your yarn.

Some projects are complex and can be frustrating if you are not familiar with different finger knitting techniques. You may end up unraveling your work multiple times to no avail. It can be tiresome and make you give up on learning how to knit with your fingers.

To avoid this, start with projects that require easy-to-follow techniques. After you succeed in several straightforward projects, transition to a bit complex ones. With time you will handle intermediate or advanced levels of finger knitting.

3. Taking Breaks

You may need to take a snack or visit the washroom amid finger knitting. Unlike when learning how to knit a scarf with needles, you don’t have a tool holding the live stitches intact. How do you take a break amid finger knitting?

You can use a stitch holder by sliding the loops from your pinky to index finger on it. Then after the break. Slip the stitches on your fingers (from index to pinky), holding the stitch holder at the back of your fingers.

If you don’t have a stitch holder, find something cylindrical such as a pen, crochet hook, or knitting needle. Make sure you slide the stitches off and on, right to avoid messing up your knitting project.

4. Time

You may encounter challenges when learning how to start knitting with your fingers. For instance, forgetting to make a stitch which may demand you repeat the project. Like other lessons, you need enough time to acquire a skill.

Schedule ample time such that when you make mistakes or can’t seem to get a certain technique by executing it once, you won’t be frustrated. The good thing is that after mastering the skill, you won’t have to spare long stretches for learning.

5. Guides

You will find numerous guides online on how to finger knit. Some will use difficult terminologies, while others will be straightforward. As a novice knitter, it is vital to choose your tutorials carefully.

Utilize guides that are simple to understand for easy execution and the best outcome. You can also use instructions that explain the special terminologies because you will need this later when doing advanced projects.

Now that you know what to consider before you learn how to finger knit, here are some stunning projects you can explore. You can also add care labels to help your clients maintain knitted garments.

Factor	Impact on Finger Knitting
Yarn	The texture and size of the yarn will determine how comfortable you can knit.
Projects	Projects with easy techniques will motivate you to keep learning, but those that are complex can be discouraging.
Breaks	Taking breaks amid knitting allows your fingers to relax, helping you knit well.
Time	Learning how to finger knit for the first time requires enough time since you might make mistakes. Don’t be hard on yourself.
Guides	Precise guides use simple language that you can follow with no difficulty. They help you gain finger knitting skills fast.

How to Knit with Your Fingers for Beginners

If it’s your first time encountering finger knitting, you may be wondering where to start. To learn how to knit with your fingers, you need to practice the basic skills. They include

1. How to Cast On Knitting with Fingers

Casting on creates independent stitches you can knit from. How do you cast on with your fingers

Image source: Pinterest

To set the yarn in place:

- - Leave a tail end on your left and slip the working yarn between your thumb and pointer finger in a front direction.
  - Wrap the middle finger in a back direction and bring the yarn through the space between the middle and ring fingers.
  - Cover the ring finger in a front direction with yarn and pass it behind the pinky finger. You will have your working yarn lying on the right-hand side.

Ensure the wrapping of the fingers alternates in a front and back direction to avoid losing stitches as you cast on. This process will give you the first row of weaves.

Step 2. Second to the Fourth Row

- - Slide the working yarn behind your little finger and at the front of the ring finger. Then behind the middle finger and at the front of your index finger to make the second row.
  - Weave the working yarn again over your pointer finger, under your middle finger, over the ring finger, and under the pinky finger. At this point, you will have three throws.
  - To make the final row, wrap the working yarn over the little finger, under the ring finger, above the middle finger, and below the index finger. Then trap it between your thumb and pointer finger.

Step 3. Casting on

- - Starting from your little finger, pick the lowest loop (close to your palm) and slide it off and over your finger.
  - Repeat this process for all the other fingers; ring, middle, and pointer fingers.
  - You can bend your fingers as you pull the loops off and over for easy slipping. If you find it difficult to work with the lowest loops, push them closer to the tips of your fingers but avoid sliding them off.

That’s how you cast on when finger knitting. With this row of stitches, you can go ahead and knit your garment. If you are planning to work on a project that requires needles, check this simple guide on how to cast on knitting.

2. How to Knit with Your Fingers; A Simple Bracelet

Image source: Spruce Crafts

After casting on knitting, you can use the stitches to advance your project by following these steps.

Step 1. Weave the Fingers

- - Take your working yarn and weave the front of your index finger.
  - Then weave your middle finger from behind and your ring finger from the front.
  - Complete the weaving process by wrapping the pinky finger from behind.

Step 2. Repeat step one, starting from the little finger to the index finger alternating the front and back wraps. At this point, you will have two loops on every finger.

Step 3. Starting from the little finger, lift the first loop and slide up and over the second loop. Repeat this for the ring, middle, and pointer fingers.

Step 4. Repeat steps one to three to get several rows. If your fingers feel a bit tired or you want to attend to something else, you can take a break.

3. How to Cast Off Finger Knitting

Image source: Spruce Crafts

Do you have enough rows and can’t figure out how to end finger knitting? Below is a step by step guide that will help you complete your project

Step 1. Cast Off Knitting

- - When you get to the last row, cut your yarn leaving a six inches loose end.
  - Take the tail and slip it under and up through the loop on your index finger. Then, pass the yarn through the other fingers’ loops in the same direction.

Step 2. Fasten and Weave in the Yarn

- - The yarn you pass through the loops secures the project. So, slide off your fingers from them to continue working on the project.
  - Pull the loose end to fasten the loops and weave in the loose end from the wrong side.

The sides of a project can be confusing if you are interacting with this technique for the first time. To demystify this, the side next to the arm’s back is the right side, while the opposite side is the wrong side.

Step 3. Lay Out the Project

Image source: Fibre Flux

- - Lay the cord on your working space to see how it appears.
  - Join the two ends of the cord and tie the two yarn ends to complete the bracelet.

Now you can complement your outfit with the bracelet. Other projects you can explore are headbands and jewelry. You can also learn how to finger knit with one finger to improve your skills.

How To French Knit with Your Fingers

Image source: Tricotin.com

French knitting is a type of finger knitting that helps you create an I-cord. Some people use a Spool to french knit, but you can utilize your fingers. So, how do you finger knit a tube?

1. Take the end of your yarn and make a slip knot. Ensure the knot is tight
2. Place the knot on your left thumb to make the first stitch.
3. Wrap the yarn under your index finger, over the middle finger. Then, behind the ring finger and in front of the little finger.
4. Take the working yarn and wrap the fingers alternating behind and front wraps from the little to the pointer direction.
5. Turn your index finger and place the working yarn behind your arm and above the stitches.
6. Slide the yarn behind the fingers and turn it to cover the front. Ensure that it stays on top of the stitches
7. Place the remaining yarn behind your arm.
8. Take the first loop on the index finger and pull it over and behind the finger.
9. Repeat step eight for the middle, ring, and pinky to complete the first row.
10. Push the first row down your fingers with your right hand.
11. Take the working yarn and wrap the fingers again while ensuring it’s at the top of the stitches.
12. Repeat steps 8 to 10 until you have several rows. Next, untie the first stitch on your thumb and pull it to fasten the stitches.
13. When you reach the desired length, cut the yarn and slide it through the stitches. Then pull it to secure the cord.

You can use i-cords to make scarves, carpets, straps, belts, bag handles, or other suitable projects. If you find it uncomfortable for your hands, check this guide on how to knit a blanket or scarf with needles.

Some projects like the cowl may require joining ends together. You need to use a technique that will leave no bumps on the right side, for instance, a Mattress stitch. It will leave a flawless seam!

How to Knit with Your Hands for Beginners

Learning how to make a chunky knit blanket or shawl results in satisfying pieces that add color to your space. The good thing is that you don’t always need needles to make such stunning projects. You can use your hands solely!

Here is a guide on how to knit with your hands

Part 1. Casting On

Step 1. Slip Knot

Image source: WikiHow

- Take three skeins of bulky yarn and place their ends together. You will use the combined ends as one thick yarn.
- Make a loop 1.5 yards from this end, then pass the working yarn through it to make another loop.
- Pull the working yarn to complete making the slip knot.
- Slide the slip knot on your right hand.
- Place the loose end close to you and the working yarn further from you.

Step 2. Casting On

Image source: Flux and Twine

- Create a loop with the loose yarn ensuring the remaining end is hanging in front of it.
- Hold the loop with your right hand (without adjusting the direction of the tail) and slide your left arm inside it.
- Grab your working yarn with the left hand and pull it through and out of the first loop.
- Drop the yarn in your right hand.
- Slide the new loop on your right hand and fasten the stitch by pulling the two yarns apart.

Step 3. Repeat step two to cast on the number of stitches you want.

Part 2. Arm Knitting

Image source: Fly Me To The Moon Dear

At this stage, you don’t need the loose end anymore. So, how do you knit with your hands?

Step 1. First Stitch

- Grab your working yarn and place it above your right hand’s thumb.
- Close your fist over the working yarn to hold it.
- Pull the original stitch over the wrap on your thumb and slip it off the right hand to make a new stitch.
- Take the new stitch, turn it a half-turn, and slide it on the left hand.

Step 2. Repeat step one until you are left with no stitch on your right hand to complete the first row.

Step 3. Second Row

Making the second row follows a similar process as that in row one. So, repeat step one for every stitch on your left hand until you transfer all of them to your right hand.

You can continue making rows until you reach the desired length. If you are making a cowl, you can use a tape measure to confirm the length that will fit you. Depending on the number of wraps you want, you can adjust the length by increasing or decreasing the rows.

Part 3. Binding Off

Binding off with your arms borrows from different guides on how to cast off knitting. In this project, you will apply a simple bind-off technique to complete the garment. Below is how you can cast off your arm knitting.

Step 1. First Two Stitches

- Ensure that all the stitches are on your left hand for easy casting off.
- Knit the first two stitches while transferring them to the right hand.
- Pick the first stitch you’ve knit and pull over the second stitch to remain with one stitch.

Step 2. Third Stitch

- Knit the third stitch on the left hand and transfer it to the right hand. You will have two stitches on the right hand.
- Take the first stitch and pull it over the new stitch to remain with one stitch again.

Step 3. Repeat step two to cast off all the stitches on your left hand. At this point, you will have one stitch on the right hand.

Part 4. Finishing the Project

Feeling happy you are done with your arm knitting project? Time to make your garment intact. How do you finish knitting your garment?

- Cut the yarn 1.5 yards away from the last stitch.
- Pass the end through the last stitch and pull it to tighten it.
- Weave in the ends to ensure no hanging tails on your project.

Your piece is ready for use; whether you want to complement your outfit or stay warm in cold weather, use these instructions for the best outcome. For more French knitting projects, check this out.

Type of Knitting	Projects
Finger knitting	Jewelry Headbands Scarves
French Knitting	Cords for carpets, scarves, bag handles, and belts.
Arm knitting	Blankets Cowls Shawls Rugs

Conclusion

Feeling excited you know how to finger knit and can’t wait to explore more projects? You can try different finger and arm knitting ideas for your house, loved ones, or business. Ensure you get the right yarn and guidelines to make your knitting experience fun.

You can also learn how to knit a sweater or hat using needles to complement your finger knitted pieces. Did this guide help you learn a knitting skill? Enjoy more information on the topic here in this video.