All the Fundamentals New Knitters Need

How to Start Knitting by Brenda Lam is a beginner knitting guide that covers the full foundation — tools, yarns, stitches, abbreviations, and techniques — before moving into 10 chunky projects to put those skills to use. The chunky yarn weight is deliberate: large stitches make it easier to see how your work is forming and to spot mistakes early.

The book is structured to build confidence progressively. Alongside the core techniques, you’ll find:

• Things I Wish I’d Known — Brenda’s practical tips and shortcuts
• Troubleshooting — a dedicated section for diagnosing common mistakes
• How to read a pattern and how to finish your work neatly
• 10 projects including scrappy mittens and a sweater vest

A solid first book for anyone picking up needles for the first time, written in a clear, approachable tone by a designer with a following built on making knitting accessible.