Knitting is a craft where different threads are used and interwoven with each other to create a textile fabric. Knitting requires the correct needles and yarn, with various stitches, to complete a pattern.
Are you looking to enter the knitting world to make clothes that reflect your true personality? Knitting has been around for centuries, but it has been losing its essence lately. Of course, thanks to our age, accessing a free knitting class online is no big deal. And the same goes for knitting classes.
Since these are free online knitting classes, the only investment from your side is your time and enthusiasm, and you will be able to achieve magnificent results.
1. Knitting Class – Instructables
Becky Stern, a seasoned knitter and designer, has created a free online course to equip you with all the necessary skills to become a confident knitter. Thanks to the detailed instructions, this course has been rated the top online class for mastering knitting basics.
This class comprises 11 lessons, where you will learn different knitting patterns and make an essential ribbed scarf, striped hat, and mittens. The instructions are accompanied by close-up pictures making them clear and easy to follow.
The course starts with an introduction to the tools and materials required, followed by the foundational lesson on casting on, knitting and purling stitches, and binding off.
2. Best Introduction to Knit Socks: VeryPink Knits
Making knit socks alone can be challenging, but they make a nice gift for a loved one (or a treat for yourself). But don’t let that intimidate you. Instead, take on the challenge with the help of this six-part online video series from VeryPink Knits.
In addition to being featured in The New York Times, knitwear designer and teacher Staci Perry has also been featured in Vogue Knitting and Yarn Market News. The foundation of Perry’s online instruction is the development of designs with digestible video lectures that, in the words of her website, “ease knitters into difficult techniques.” This course was chosen as the best introduction thanks to Perry’s extensive knowledge and these clear and comprehensive directions.
You will receive a pair of worsted-weight socks after completing this free lesson. You already need to be proficient in knitting and purling to make these. The cuff will come first, followed by the heel flap, gusset, foot, shaping of the toe, and Kitchener stitch to complete the garment.
3. Best DIY Dyeing: Skillshare – Hand Dyeing Wool Yarn
Learning to customize your yarn is an excellent way to add a unique touch to your projects. Fiber artist Alexander Reynoso teaches this course, where you will receive a brief tutorial on hand-dyeing wool yarn in three exciting methods: speckles, space-dyed, and ombre or gradient. This course makes dyeing fun and gives you the knowledge and skills to dye your yarn as a beginner.
The course’s primary objective is encouraging you to be creative and experimental with dyeing. The final piece you create with your transformed yarn will reflect the fun and playful experience. Reynoso suggests downloading the PDF of class materials first, which includes a range of valuable tips. It’s essential to watch all the demonstrations before attempting a technique, choose one, and then re-watch and execute.
This process will help you get comfortable before taking the plunge. You can take this class for free during Skillshare’s two-week trial period if you haven’t signed up yet. Beyond that, there is a monthly subscription fee.
4. Knit Gifts for Baby
Instructed by knitwear designer Faith Hale, this charming course guides the creation of three delightful baby clothes. The projects start simple and gradually advance to a more complex level. The system consists of three parts, with video tutorials that are easy to follow and come with a thorough list of necessary materials. It can be accessed on Creative Bug, which provides a complimentary 60-day membership for you to take the class without any cost.
The lectures extensively cover the knitting of most essential items, such as bandanas, bonnets, and booties. On top of that, taking part in smaller projects before advancing to more significant knitting projects for adults is a good practice. This acts as a good practice ground, and the baby gifts and knitwear are always so cute. So what’s not to love?
5. Introduction to Stranded Knitting
Are you struggling to find the best way to learn about colorwork knitting? Look no further than this course offered by Interweave. With guidance from designer, author, and instructor Kyle Kunnecke, you’ll uncover the mysteries of stranded knitting and gain insight into all aspects of colorwork. Topics covered include an introduction to color theory, advice on selecting the most effective color combinations, the fundamental techniques for stranded knitting, tips for interpreting charts, and a tutorial on locked floats to prevent excess strands from becoming snagged on the back of your fabric. The syllabus consists of a class preview, an introduction, lessons on color theory and stranding basics, advice on reading charts, and an introduction to locked floats that focus on closing CC on the right side.
6. Brioche Knitting Made Easy
Join knitwear designer and teacher Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark on an exciting journey of brioche knitting. Learn the necessary stitches and techniques to create this delightful combination of stitches, starting with the best needles and yarn for the project. Discover how to work brioche on flat pieces of knitting before advancing your skills to knitting brioche in the Round. Follow Mercedes’ guidance to create a brioche hat and gain tips for reading patterns, shaping the crown, and finishing. Then, knit fingerless mitts with faux cables and shaped thumbs. Make a vine cowl with a beautiful brioche in one or two colors for the final project. Experience the joy of brioche knitting as you complete three luxurious projects! The course outline includes a class preview, starting with brioche, the beginner brioche hat, fingerless mitts, finishing techniques for gloves, a two-color brioche cowl, and completing the vine cowl.
7. Brioche Knitting: Exploring Color & Texture
Elevate your knits’ color and texture with the beautiful brioche knitting technique! Nancy Marchant, the expert in this style, will guide you through the process and help you create the stunning Checkerboard Keyhole scarf. During the class, you’ll learn the techniques, terms, and stitches that will guarantee your success with brioche. You’ll be taught how to execute the unique checkerboard stitch pattern, combining brioche and garter stitch to create a special effect. The tails of the scarf will be completed with this stitch pattern, while the keyhole portion will be done in traditional, ribbed brioche. The wrap portion will use a two-color brioche rib. The class will end with essential finishing tips to make your project look professional. This course promises to bring you great color, texture, and the extraordinary benefits of brioche. The syllabus includes a class preview, an overview of brioche knitting, creating a two-color brioche swatch, starting the scarf, adding a third and fourth block, and making the keyhole.
8. Mini-course on knitting home shoes
This short course consists of five lessons that will instruct you on creating every part of a pair of handcrafted knitted home shoes: the heel, backside, body foot, tip-toe, and front side. I have combined several patterns to design this original home sock pattern that closely resembles shoes, hence the home shoes. What sets this pattern apart is that each piece is joined together as you progress, eliminating the need to sew them together at the end.
At the beginning of the course, you will be introduced to the necessary materials and tools to start your knitting project. Then, each lesson will guide you step-by-step through creating the pattern, with easy-to-follow language and detailed instructions on stitches and patterns. Additionally, you will learn various tips and tricks to simplify the process and solidify your understanding of the pattern.
Although this pattern may seem challenging at first, with the help of this mini-course, you will be able to create warm, cozy, and stylish home shoes quickly and easily.
9. Best Hat Tutorial: Skillshare – Learn Knitting in the Round With a Slouchy Hat
Davina Choy from Sheep & Stitch has a website and YouTube channel offering tutorials and sharing her Skillshare knowledge. Her one-hour class is targeted toward intermediate knitters. It has been chosen as the best hat tutorial due to Choy’s clear instructions and adeptness in teaching new knitting techniques. The class teaches you how to create a trendy slouchy hat and four new knitting techniques over 13 video lessons, including working in the Round, decreasing stitches, using double-pointed needles, and making a pom-pom. During Skillshare’s two-week free trial, you can take the class for free, and if you wish to continue, you can sign up for a membership billed annually. Choy also offers skillshare classes based on your skill level, such as Knitting I: Learning the Basics with Simple Scarf, Knitting II: Learn Stitch Widths with a Triangle Scarf, and Knitting IV: Learn Advanced Techniques with a Trendy Headband.
10. Best Overall: Wool and the Gang
For knitters, Wool and the Gang serves as a free one-stop store. In addition to selling practically all knitting supplies known to man, it offers a wealth of information and how-to guides. We determined that Wool and the Gang offered the most comprehensive range of yarn, tools, patterns, and instructions, as well as the usage of ethically sourced materials, making it the top choice for online knitting classes.
According to the company’s statement, its objective is to inspire the next generation of makers by reimagining the craft experience. Wool and the Gang has created designs and patterns for any activity, whether simple knitting, crocheting, or macrame.
And even better, it offers a range of free tutorials on its YouTube page. You can select from several playlists, including ones organized by skill level (Easy, Beginner, or Intermediate), a series devoted explicitly to beginners, knitting how-tos (explaining herringbone, hexagon, purl, moss, garter, stocking stitch, and more), crochet and macrame how-tos, and an A-Z playlist.
The projects on the A to Z playlist are more imaginative. For example, while there is a simple How to Make a Blanket instruction, you can also discover how to arm knit a blanket, crochet your dog mat, construct your macrame plant hanger, and turn an old pair of jeans into denim yarn.
11. Best Scheduled Classes: Third Piece
Third Piece is a one-stop shop for yarn, kits, apparel, and education founded by a group of New England knitters. Please start with the online video instructions provided by Third Piece on their YouTube channel. The scheduled classes, which can be reserved online, last approximately 1.5 hours. A beginner’s lesson teaches the fundamentals of constructing a headband or mug cozy using methods including casting on, the knit stitch, binding off, simple sewing, and finishing. It costs about $48 (materials included).
Also, you can enroll in more challenging courses to learn how to make more oversized garments and specialized knitting courses. You can even contact them if you’d like to arrange a private Friends and Family class. The goal of the Third Piece is to improve the neighborhood. Additionally, the business supports hand-made artisan companies, supplies vegan and recycled yarns, and hosts a podcast with sustainable fashion tips. Finally, the third piece showcases unique “zero waste” objects created by local knitters using leftover yarn from earlier efforts every season.
12. Best School: School of SweetGeorgia
Consider the School of SweetGeorgia, an online, membership-based fiber arts school, if a more controlled environment will encourage you to continue knitting. Felicia Lo Wong founded the school, which focuses on color theories and dyes but covers almost every aspect of knitting. The length of a course can range from six to 23 classes, and its format allows you to move at your own pace.
Start with one of more than 40 no-risk, 30-day trial subscriptions or free knitting tutorials. There are also a few free trial classes available so you can see what the membership is like (without having to enter any payment information). The paid membership grants access to the complete course library, forums, workbooks that can be downloaded, and other benefits. Moreover, the school offers live office hours via Zoom and Knit Nights. The School of Sweet Georgia aims to “explore the transforming power of color and craft,” which includes providing aid to underserved areas.
For example, the West Coast wildfires in 2020 received funding from the “Wildfire Knit-Along and Fundraiser” event the School of Sweet Georgia arranged.
13. “Intarsia Knitwear Design” by Laura Dalgaard
After you’ve mastered the fundamentals, the next natural step in your knitting adventure is to learn how to knit intarsia.
Intarsia is a sophisticated knitting technique that creates many new patterns by adding motifs and numerous colors to knitting patterns. You will learn how to achieve that by taking Laura Dalgaard’s advanced knitting course. The “Intarsia Knitwear Design and Production” class will show you how to knit in two colors competently by adhering to a unique knitting pattern. In addition, you may learn how to create your intarsia designs, work intarsia flat in the Round, and more by following 19 lessons with 16 downloadable resources. Laura Dalgaard, a knitwear designer and certified instructor who has built her brand and gained a sizable fanbase, is the instructor for the class. She has created yarns, patterns, and even a book on intarsia for many knitting firms during the past 20 years. Laura’s lesson is best for experienced knitters wishing to increase their abilities and includes advice on managing your yarn, keeping knitting tension, switching out threads, and more.
14. “Knitting 101″: Free Knitting Classes by KnitPicks
Many free education facilities are accessible to beginning knitters. However, we prefer KnitPicks‘ free knitting lessons because they are straightforward, thorough, varied, and conveniently located.
You can discover step-by-step instructions, video tutorials, a podcast, and free downloadables in the “Learning Center” that cover the fundamental knitting techniques that every knitter should be familiar with.
In the section devoted to workshops and series, you can discover comprehensive tutorials for specific items and methods like sweaters, socks, lace knitting, and colorwork.
Although KnitPicks’ Learning Center is a fantastic free resource, you won’t find the same degree of individualized care, professional knowledge, and attention to detail as in premium knitting sessions. Nevertheless, it’s still a great choice if you’re starting and don’t want to enroll in a costly knitting school.
15. “Learn How to Knit” by The School of Stitched Textiles
The most well-liked recognized provider of online textile learning courses is the School of Stitched Textiles, which has its headquarters in the UK. The professionalism and production quality put into developing its methods stand out.
“Learn to Knit” is a self-paced beginner’s course. It helps one master the fundamental knit and purl stitches, cast on and off, increases and decreases, blocks your knitting, and read patterns with full access for a year. Various stitch patterns will also be practiced, such as moss stitch, weaving stitch, mattress stitch, and others. Sally Hart is the course’s instructor, a certified tutor, and a 30-year knitting specialist who has instructed hundreds of students on advancing their knitting abilities.
We appreciate how this course teaches beginners how to construct valuable items rather than just simple squares. Knitting, blocking, and decorating a bag, purse, or case from beginning to end will teach you essential methods. Every lesson is conducted online using instructional videos on a specific platform with a personal learning dashboard. You can check off each class once you have finished it and monitor your development as you move through the course.
Also, left-handed knitters can locate a different series of video instructions that will walk them through the entire procedure. Within the first three days, you are entitled to a full refund if you are dissatisfied with the course.
Feeling Excited to Take a Class in Knitting?
Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just starting, a free online knitting class can be a fantastic way to improve your skills, learn new techniques, and connect with other knitting enthusiasts.
With so many options available, choosing which one to take can be challenging, but we hope this list of the 15 Best Online Knitting Classes of 2023 has helped narrow your search.
From comprehensive beginner’s courses to advanced sweater design and everything in between, there is something for everyone on this list.
So why not sign up for a class or two and take your knitting skills to the next level? You might even make some new friends along the way!
