I’m a beginner and not a very confident one - lol - I’ve been looking at patterns but none of them seem like things i can do yet, all I know how to to do is a knit and purl stitch, I see things like ktog and such and have no idea what they mean! I was wondering if anyone knew of any patterns that are extremely basic?
Beginner patterns
well the obvious answer is scarves. they are straight no increases or decreases and by combining knit and purls you can get varying stitch patterns (ribbing, moss stitch, brioche stitch, garter etc). bored of scarves? how about a simple blanket or a dish or face cloth? pillow cases can also be made be stitching 2 rectangles together.
a cushion cover: http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/pottercraftnews/nov06/pattern.html
dish cloth: http://angelmira.blogspot.com/2007/03/1x1-ribbed-dishcloth.html
another cloth; http://www.purpleduckie.com/anchorpatternpage.htm
a scarf: http://home.howstuffworks.com/free-scarf-knitting-patterns15.htm
yet another cloth: http://www.knitsbyrachel.com/page17.html
here in general: www.knittingpatterncentral.com has a lot of patterns on, some easy some hard, also have a look at the list of stitches for different stitch patterns you can creste just using knits and purls.
however dont be scared of new techniques.
most of the things you see in patterns are ways of increasing or decreasing the number of stitches you are using to make the item bigger or smaller or to add shape.
the stitch you mentioned [B]K2tog, [/B]is short hand for [B]knitting two stitches together. [/B]so normally when you knit, you put your needle into one stitch at a time, to do a K2tog you put the needle into 2 stitches at the same time and knit it as if it was just one stitch.
thats just one explanation for you, but dont forget there are the videos and the glossory of abbreviations on this site which are very helpful, plus lots of people here who are happy to help.
Definitely don’t be afraid of terms you don’t know! Learn them as you get to them. Find something you want to knit, and jump in. There is a fabulous glossary on this site (scroll to the top of the page, it’s the last purple tab on the right) and it has descriptions of absolutely everything, and frequently links to Amy’s videos to show you how to do them. Anything you can’t find there or in the video list, just ask! 
I’m almost afraid to just learn things as I go, I don’t want to be doing really well on a project then have to learn a new stitch and mess up the whole thing! I’m sure there’s ways to fix mistakes made, i just don’t know how yet. Oh and thank you for the explanation of k2tog! It sounds really easy
I just started knitting in November, and I have to say, most patterns have explanations of anything out of the ordinary, and everything else is covered somewhere on this site. I recommend finding a pattern you LOVE, and will keep you motivated, and just try it. I did a scarf as my first project, and I did have to frog it once, but I really liked the pattern (and so did my brother, now I have to make him one in manly colors.) I then attempted to modify a hat pattern to match the scarf, and while my gauge was off, I still made a hat and learned about knitting in the round in the process. Most recently, I finished a sock from Silver’s sock tutorials and this time it actually fits! So I say just find a pattern that you are willing to stick with and go for it.
What you could do is just a practice piece with new techniques. CO about 20-30 sts, knit a couple inches then practice the decreases for a few rows, then the increases for a few rows using the videos here for them.
http://knittinghelp.com/videos/increases
http://knittinghelp.com/videos/decreases
Once you have them figured out, then try a hat pattern, baby sweater, or something that uses them.
Almost too many years ago to count, a lady in a yarn store got me started on this scarf pattern. It proved to be a great pattern, easy as pie, and helped me learn to knit.
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Cast on an [I]even[/I] number of stitches on straight needles until you have the width you want the finished scarf to be. If you want an 8 inch wide scarf, for example, cast on stitches until it looks like they are about 8 inches wide, always stopping when you have an even number of stitches on the needle. I recently made 3 inch wide scarves for my toddler granddaughters for Christmas. For those, I think I cast on about 24 stitches of light to medium weight yarns.
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K1, slip next stitch over as if to purl, K1. Continue this pattern until the scarf is the length you want.
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You will find you have knit a tube scarf on your straight needles. Separate the stitches, putting even stitches on one stitch holder and odd stitches on a second stitch holder.
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Turn the scarf inside out.
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Put the stitches back onto a straight knitting needle and bind off.
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I usually add fringe to the ends and the scarf is done!
I hope this turns out to be a fun scarf for you to try. I have one I made for myself a very long time ago out of wool. It’s the warmest winter scarf I’ve ever owned. If you use a synthetic, lighter weight yarn you will have a scarf that is wearable in different seasons.
Thanks Linda, that’s a basic double knit. I’ve usually just bound off the sts when done, not turning inside out.
Thanks to you, suzeeq. Now I have a name for the stitch I’ve been using these past 40 years. Is a double knit stitch ever used in making something other than a scarf?
You can use it to make potholders with 2 color motifs. Here’s one http://www.knittinghelp.com/patterns/free-knitting-patterns-heart-double-knit-hot-pad And I’m sure there’s many ways to use it; google on double knit patterns.
you can always give a try at preemie patterns we have listed on our site http://Heavenlyangelsinneed.com/Patterns.html We have a few hats and things that you can at least practice with 