1. Change the needle with the stitches into the left hand.
2. The empty needle is in the right hand. The yarn is over the first finger, under the second, over the third, and under the fourth above the middle joint (see FIG. 16).
NOTE: When using a long needle many knitters tuck one end of the right needle under the right arm. This relieves strain and enables you to knit faster.
3. Insert right needle into the front of the first stitch on the left needle from the right side and slip the first stitch off the left needle onto the right needle without knitting. Do this with the first stitch of each succeeding row and you will have a smooth edge known as a chain edge (FIG. 22).
4. Bring your yarn to the back of your work by passing it between the two needles.   5. Proceed as before (FIG. 22). Watch your work closely.

                    
If you drop a stitch follow these instructions: Always pick up dropped stitches in Stockinette Stitch on right side of work. Using a hook, insert hook through dropped stitch, draw yarn of row above through loop forming new loop.  Work in this manner until all stitches are picked up being careful not to twist stitches.  In ribbing, pick up dropped purl stitch on reverse side of work.  In garter stitch, pick up stitches alternately from front.

BINDING OFF
When you have worked 10 rows you are ready to finish off the swatch. This process is called binding off.

PROCEDURE
1. Slip the first stitch on the row off the left needle onto the right needle without knitting.
2. Knit the second stitch very loosely. (There are two stitches on the right needle).
3. Insert the left needle through the left side of the first stitch (FIG. 23).
4. Keep the yarn in the right hand very loose so that the second stitch remains loose.
5. Bring the first stitch forward over the second stitch and over the tip of the needle so that one stitch remains on the needle (FIG. 23).
6. Knit the next stitch loosely.  There are two stitches on the right needle.

7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 (FIG. 23).
8. When you come to the last
stitch, clip your yarn about three inches from the needle. Bring the loose end through the stitch remaining on the needle and pull tightly. Darn in loose end so that it will not show.
NOTE: Beginners have a tendency to bind off too tightly. To prevent this, many knitters use a needle two sizes larger in the right hand.

PURL STITCH
The purl stitch has two differences from the knit stitch.
1. In plain knitting you keep your yarn at the back of your work. In purling you bring it to the front of your work.
2. In plain knitting you insert your needle in the front of the stitch from the left side. In purling you
insert your needle in the front of the stitch from the right side.
The purl stitch is not used alone, but when it is combined with the knit stitch in straight knitting, it makes another stitch known as stockinette stitch.