Creating a 4 inch Garter Stitch Swatch - Step-by-step

Materials needed:

1. Worsted weight yarn
2. Pair of knitting needles appropriate for the yarn (usually size US 8 or 9 works well)
3. Yarn scissors
4. Yarn needle

Instructions:

1. Gather your materials:

   • Choose your preferred worsted weight yarn and the appropriate knitting needle size. Refer to the yarn label for the recommended needle size.

2. Make a slipknot:

   • Begin by making a slipknot, leaving a tail of about 6 inches.

3. Cast on 16 stitches:

   • Use your preferred cast-on method to cast on 16 stitches.

4. Knit the first row:

   • Insert your right needle into the first stitch from left to right. Yarn over (wrap the yarn around the right needle), pull the yarn through the stitch, and slip the old stitch off the left needle. Repeat this process across the entire row.

5. Continue knitting rows:

   • Repeat step 4 until your work measures approximately 4 inches in height.

6. Bind off:

   • Once your swatch reaches the desired height, bind off all stitches. Knit the first 2 stitches, then use the left needle to lift the first stitch over the second stitch. Continue in this manner until you have one stitch remaining, then cut the yarn, leaving a tail, and pull the tail through the last loop.

7. Weave in ends:

   • Use a yarn needle to weave in the loose ends for a neat finish.

Congratulations, you've completed a 4-inch garter stitch swatch! This simple swatch is a great way for beginners to practice the basic knit stitch and get comfortable with the rhythm of knitting.