How to Finger Knit using Yarn (The Two Finger Technique)

Learn how to finger knit with yarn using the two-finger knitting technique in this easy step-by-step tutorial. All you need is some yarn and your hands!

Finger knitting is a technique I learned as a kid in the 90's. My cousins and I created colorful garlands that were 10+ feet long with yarn generously given to us by our grandmother.

The process can be done using two fingers or four fingers; we made a beautiful garland using chunky yarn and a two-finger knitting technique.

Here is a tutorial showing you how to finger knit using a two-finger knitting technique - perfect for making garlands of any color for your mantel!

How to Finger Knit using Yarn (The Two Finger Technique)

Step 1. Gather Supplies

Supplies Needed:

• Yarn
• Scissors
• Your Hand

Step 2. Begin with the tail end of the yarn pinched between your thumb and the side of your hand, like pictured below.

Bring the yarn around the front of your pointer finger, and then behind your middle finger.

Step 3. Bring the yarn around the back of your middle finger, and then wrap it around the front of your middle finger and behind your pointer finger.

Step 4. Bring the yarn around the back of your pointer finger, to the front of your pointer finger, and then to the back of your middle finger again.

Bring the yarn around the backside of your middle finger, across the front side of your middle finger again, and let the yarn rest down back, in between your fingers.

Step 5. On one finger, lift the yarn section that is closest to the base of your finger up and over the top section of yarn, and up off of your finger to the backside of your hand.

You will only have one section of yarn left on that finger now.

Step 6. Repeat this same process on the other finger.

You'll be left with only one section of yarn on each finger.

Pull the yarn tail behind your hand gently to tighten things up.

Step 7. Repeat the same process - wrap the yarn around the outside of your pointer finger, across the front of the pointer, behind the middle finger.

Around the outside of the middle finger, and then across the front of the middle finger again.

The yarn will rest between the pointer and middle fingers, toward the back of your hand.

The process of finger knitting is similar to making a "figure 8" around your fingers.

Then lift the lower section of yarn closest to the base of each finger up and over the top section, off the tip of each finger toward the back of your hand.

Repeat to make each "stitch" and pull on the yarn tail to tighten the finger knitting as you go.

You'll see the beautiful finger knitting start to take shape!

How to Finish Finger Knitting with Yarn

It can be confusing to know how to end finger knitting - how do you finish the ends and keep it from unraveling and still make it look nice?

Here's the best way to end a finger-knit project.

Step 1. When you are ready to finish off your finger knitting, cut the yarn from the skein, leaving a small tail - 12" long or so.

Step 2. Thread the end of the yarn tail underneath one yarn section on your finger.

Pull tight.

Step 3. Thread the yarn tail under the section of yarn on your other finger, and pull tight.

Step 4. Slight the yarn off your hand and pull the yarn tail tight to snug up the end of the finger knitting.

It should close up the end in a knot.

The finger knitting is complete!

Finger knitting can be done using a two-finger or a four-finger technique. This tutorial shows the two-finger technique.

The four-finger technique works very similarly, but instead of wrapping the yarn around just two fingers, you'll use all four on your hand.

Any type of string or yarn can be used for finger knitting; chunky yarn is especially fun to use because the project comes together very fast and you can make some really neat things! You can go the eco-friendly route too, and make a DIY garland with t-shirt yarn!