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HOW TO HUB

Your exclusive one-stop-shop for knitting and crochet know-how.

Welcome to your Cardigang learning hub.

If you’ve landed here, chances are you’ve just opened one of our knitting or crochet kits and are wondering what happens next.

Good news: you’re exactly where you need to be.

This guide is designed specifically for people who have a Cardigang kit on the way or already in their hands. It will walk you through the core techniques used in our patterns, link you to our tutorials, and help you troubleshoot if things get a little tangled along the way.

Grab your yarn, your sticks (or hook), and let’s get into it.

👉 You've also got access to a dedicated page with tutorials and step-by-step support specific to your project. Follow the QR code in your pattern for those instructions.

Knitting Glossary

CAST ON

The process of creating the first stitches on your needle so you can begin knitting.

ROW

One line of stitches worked across the needles.

ROUND

A row worked in a circle when knitting in the round.

GARTER STITCH

The fancy name for the stitch pattern created when you knit every stitch in every row.

STOCKINETTE STITCH

The name for the stitch pattern created when you knit one row of stitches, then purl the next row of stitches.

RIB STITCH

A stretchy stitch pattern created by alternating knit and purl stitches. Commonly used for cuffs and necklines because it holds its shape.

INCREASE / DECREASE

Adding stitches to your knitting to make it wider, or reducing the number of stitches on your needle to shape your project.

CAST OFF

Also called binding off. This is how you finish your knitting so the stitches don’t unravel.

GAUGE

The number of stitches and rows within a 10x10cm square. Checking your gauge helps ensure your finished project is the correct size.

CROCHET Glossary

CHAIN

The foundation of most crochet projects. Chains create the starting row and are used within patterns to create space or structure.

YARN OVER

Wrapping the yarn over the hook before pulling it through a stitch.

SLIP STITCH

A very small stitch used to join rounds, move across stitches, or finish sections of a pattern.

SINGLE CROCHET

One of the most basic crochet stitches. Insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull through, yarn over again and pull through both loops.

HALF DOUBLE CROCHET

A medium-height stitch that sits between single and double crochet. It creates a slightly taller and softer fabric. Yarn over, then insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull through, yarn over pull through all three loops.

DOUBLE CROCHET

A common crochet stitch that creates a taller, more open fabric than single crochet. Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over pull through, yarn over pull through two loops, yarn over pull through last two loops.

GAUGE

The number of stitches and rows within a 10x10cm square. Checking your gauge helps ensure your finished project is the correct size.

LET'S LOOK AT YOUR TOOLS

At the heart of knitting and crochet are two very simple tools: knitting needles and crochet hooks. Knitting uses a pair of needles to create loops of yarn that build your fabric stitch by stitch, while crochet uses a single hook to pull yarn through loops and form stitches. They might look a little unfamiliar at first, but they’re surprisingly easy to get the hang of. Your Cardigang kit includes the right size tools for your project, so you can dive straight in. Once you’ve done a few rows, using your needles or hook will start to feel completely natural.

KNITTING NEEDLES

Knitting needles come in a few different styles, but the two most common are straight needles and circular needles. Straight needles are the classic pair of long, single-pointed needles used for knitting flat pieces back and forth, like scarves, panels, or blankets. Circular needles are two shorter needles connected by a flexible cable. They can be used to knit flat pieces just like straight needles, but they also allow you to knit in the round, which is useful for projects like hats, sleeves, and some cardigans. Many knitters prefer circular needles because they’re more versatile and can hold a larger number of stitches comfortably.

CROCHET HOOK

Our crochet hook is the tool we use to create our work. If you're right-handed you'll hold the hook in your right hand, if you're left-handed, hold it in your left (lefties... there's a note about left-handed crochet further down the page too!). You'll hold the hook between your thumb and forefinger, with your thumb resting on the dent or grip and your index finger on the other side of the hook, like you're holding a knife. This type of grip is the way we suggest you start but each individual will have a slightly different way of holding the hook. You'll then hold the yarn you're working in your other hand.

STITCH TYPES 101

Before you dive into patterns, it helps to understand the basic stitch patterns you’ll be working with. These stitches are the building blocks of knitting and crochet, and once you know how they work, you’ll start to recognise them everywhere. Below are some of the most common stitches used in Cardigang projects, along with a quick look at what they create and how they behave.

KNITTING STITCH TYPES

CASTING ON

Casting on is the first step in any knitting project. It creates the initial row of stitches on your needle that you’ll work into as you begin knitting.

GARTER STITCH

The simplest knitting pattern and one of the first stitches beginners learn. It’s created by knitting every stitch of every row, which produces a textured fabric with soft horizontal ridges. Its reversible too!

STOCKINETTE STITCH

A smooth knitted fabric you’ll see in many jumpers and cardigans. The front of the fabric shows neat “V” shaped stitches, Stockinette is made by alternating rows of knit and purl stitches.

RIB STITCH

Created by alternating one knit stitch and one purl stitch across the row. This forms vertical columns that are naturally stretchy, which helps the fabric hold its shape.

CROCHET STITCH TYPES

CHAIN

Chaining is usually the first step in a crochet project. It creates a series of loops called the foundation chain, which forms the base for your first row of stitches. Once your chain is complete, you’ll begin working your crochet stitches back into those loops.

SINGLE CROCHET

Single crochet is one of the most basic and compact crochet stitches. It creates a dense, sturdy fabric with a slightly textured surface.

HALF DOUBLE CROCHET

Half double crochet sits between single crochet and double crochet in height. It creates a slightly taller stitch with a soft texture and good drape.

DOUBLE CROCHET

Double crochet is a taller stitch that produces a more open and flexible fabric. Because each stitch is taller, projects made with double crochet tend to grow quickly.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

Every Cardigang kit includes links to step-by-step video tutorials that walk you through the techniques used in your pattern. 

Below is our video library with videos on all the basics stitches, use this as a reference and your on-demand teacher. For more videos, head to our YouTube channel.

CARDIGANG YOUTUBE

KNITTING TUTORIALS

Slip Knot

Slip Knot

Casting On

Casting On

Knit Stitch

Knit Stitch

Purl Stitch

Purl Stitch

Casting Off

Casting Off

CROCHET TUTORIALS

Slip Knot

Slip Knot

Chain Stitch

Chain Stitch

Single Crochet

Single Crochet

Half Double Crochet

Half Double Crochet

Double Crochet

Double Crochet

TROUBLESHOOTING

Even the best of us drop a stitch or two! Here are some quick fixes for common knitting and crochet hiccups:

MORE FAQs

CARING FOR YOUR MASTERPIECE

WASHING

  • Before you go in for the full wash, consider if you can spot-clean first.
  • Wash in cool water with a wool detergent.
  • Roll in a clean towel to remove excess water and dry flat out of direct sunlight.

GROOMING

  • It's normal for your woollen pieces to shed or pill (aka get a bit bally).
  • This is due to the delicate nature of the woollen fibres and tends to happen in places where your knit is coming into contact or rubbing against another surface or on itself - like under the arms.
  • To get rid of the balls, we recommend you use your fingers and gently remove them from the garment. Work in the one direction and don't overdo it!
  • You can also use an electric depillar (electric fabric shaver) to groom your knit, just make sure you're gentle.
  • You can also pat your kit (just with your hands) to help bond the fibres and reduce future shedding and pilling.

BLOCKING

  • Blocking your knitted or crocheted piece is optional and not all beginners will block their work but it can improve the overall shape and finish of your piece and can help it to last longer.
  • Blocking your work is a process where you wet your piece to set the finished size and even out the stitches.
  • You can choose to block your work before you seam it together, or after. if you block before seaming together you might get a better result with your seaming because the stitches will be more lined up.

STORAGE

  • It's best to fold your handmade pieces and store them somewhere where they can remain flat, rather than hanging them.
  • Folding them helps them to keep their shape over time. A drawer or shelf in the wardrobe out of direct sunlight is great.
  • If you can store them in a sealable cotton bag that's even better because moths can't get through cotton!

YOU'RE OFFICIALLY IN YOUR HOBBY ERA

Learning to knit or crochet can feel a little confusing at first, but stick with it.

Soon you’ll look down at your project and realise something pretty great:

You made it.

And once you finish your first piece, the next project suddenly feels very tempting.

Welcome to the Cardigang.

THE REWARDS PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE DIY AS MUCH AS WE DO.

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