Drink Coasters: an Easy and Cheap Introduction to Knitting

Knitting has always stuck out to me as an almost mystical art. It seems that it should be impossible to wave two sticks around and end up with a scarf or a sweater. But, it's actually relatively simple. When I first started knitting, I found that making coasters was both a cheap and easy way to practice my skill. They're not only stylish and practical, but all of the supplies can be had for under $10, making them an excellent budget-conscious home good that makes an excellent gift.

Supplies

Yarn
I would recommend a cheap acrylic yarn like this. The prices are low and the quality is reasonable. However, one of my favorite ways to buy yarn is at thrift stores. Thrift stores typically have a decent supply of yarn, and I've found great deals on unused supplies.
Knitting Needles
The same applies with needles. You can buy them new, or find them cheap at thrift stores.
When choosing needles, find the label on the yarn that has a square that labels stiches, rows, size, and needle size. In the case of the yarn in the image, the needle size is a US 5, and you will complete 27 rows of 21 stitches to make a 4x4in/10x10cm square. I'll explain the other terms in a few steps, but for now, just match the needle size to the size on the label.
Scissors
I use sewing/embroidery scissors because they are very sharp, but any scissors will do.

Step 1: The Starting Knot

Start by laying out a decent amount of yarn. I typically measure this to 3-4x the width of the coaster (I find its better to overmeasure than to wind up without enough yarn). This length will stay attatched to the ball.
Now, find the halfway point of this length and create a circle.
Next, pull a loop through the backside of this circle, with the end of the yarn not attached to the ball, taking care to not pull the end of the string through.
Finally, tighten the knot enough so it stays in place.

Step 2: Casting On

To start, hold the knitting needle in your right hand. Take the knot from last time and slip it over the end of the needle with the string attached to the ball facing you, now, tighten the knot.
Next, take your pointer finger and thumb on your left hand and slip it in between the two strings so that the loose string goes around your pointer finger and the string attached to the ball goes around your thumb.
Now, take the needle and slip it under the outer string of the thumb, then take the needle under the pointer finger string and pull it through the thumb loop.
When you tighten this knot, it becomes the second stitch (the first is the loop/knot from the first step)
Repeat this until you have the desired number of stitches.
When you reach the end, trim the end of the loose string down to about an inch and secure in with a small knot.

Step 3: The Second Row

To start, now hold the knitting needle in your left hand and hold the string attached to the ball in your right hand.
Pick up the other needle, and insert it on the under side of the first stich. then, wrap the string counter clock wise around the right hand needle and pull it through the first stick.
Now, the right hand needle should be on top of the left hand needle. Simply slide the first stich off the left hand needle and you have completed the first stich of the second row.
Repeat this process for the remaining stiches on the first row.
When you arrive at the last stich, slide it to the other needle, and swap which needle is in which hand.

Step 4: Intermediate Rows

For rows 3 to the Second-to-Last, you will repeat the same steps, with the left hand always holding the previously completed rows. Throughout this, make sure you are tensioning the string so that the stitched are tight, but still loose enough to slide while knitting. Every few or so rows, straighten out what you've completed to get an idea of how far you've knitted. When you feel you are ready to finish the piece, continue to step 5.

Step 5: Casting Off

When you feel your project has become the right size, start casting off by knitting two stiches.
Next, take the left needle, insert it into the first stich on the right hand and pull that stich off so the second stitch is the only stitch on the right hand needle.
Continue by knitting another stich and pulling the second stich off over the first.
Repeat this process until you reach the final stitch.

Step 6: Finishing Up

When you end up with the final stich on the right hand needle, cut the yarn from the ball about 3 inches from the end of the project.
Next, pull the loop off the knitting needle and pass the three inches of string through the loop. Pull the string tight, closing the loop.
To finish, cut any "tails" of string to about half an inch and use you needle to push them through the workpiece, hiding them.