I've been wanting to write this How To since it's one of the things I do the best, however, it's hard to teach someone how to knit in a few basic steps. Knitting a scarf is one of the easiest ways to get started. Once you have a handle on the basic knitting stitches all it takes is a little patience and creativity (and a lot of help from patterns) from that point on.

1. Picking out your yarn. This is the fun part and the sky is the limit. For a multipurpose use scarf choose a heavier, wool yarn.
2. You'll want to buy 6 to 8 oz of yarn. You will have yarn left over but this will give you extra to play with if you want to add fringe or make your scarf longer/wider.
3. I recommend size 8 metal knitting needles. The metal is only because I enjoy hearing the needles clink together when I knit. I think it's the most soothing part.

Casting On:

1. Cast on about 25 to 30 stitches (it helps to have a counter to keep track). Measure out a length of yarn for casting on. To figure how much yarn you'll need divide the number of stitches to be cast on by 4, and measure out that many inches.
2. Make one slip knot onto the end of the needle.
3. Take the string of yarn that is attached to the entire ball of yarn and stretch it horizontally over your left two index fingers.
4. Take the needle in your right hand (the one with the slip knot) and insert the needle under the yarn on your finger. Wrap the the yarn around the back of the needle and pull your stitch off onto the right needle. Continue until you have cast on the appropriate amount of stitches.

Basic Knit Stitch

1. Hold the knitting needle with the stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right. Insert the right knitting needle from the front to the back into the first stitch on the left needle. The right needle should be under the left needle. Grabbing the yarn go under and over the right needle so it is positioned in the middle. Catch the yarn strand with the right knitting needle and pull it down through the same first stitch, you will now have 1 stitch on the right needle.
2. Continue repeating this process until all of your stitches are on the right needle. Switch and begin again.
3. You will be able to gauge with your naked eye how long your scarf is getting. When you have knitted the desired length it is time to cast off and finish!

Casting off:

1. Pull the first stitch off your left needle and onto your right.
2. Knit another stitch to your right needle and then pull the first stitch over the second stitch and off the needle.
3. You will still have one stitch on your right needle.
4. Continue the process until all the stitches are cast off.

*Tip:
A frequent problem with beginner knitters is knitting the stitches too tight. Do NOT do this. It will make it very hard to knit and your pattern will not turn out the way you want. Stay relaxed and keep your stitches relaxed.