Knitting is the process of making fabric from consecutive, interlocking loops.

Each stitch is a loop that interconnects with the adjacent loops.

Because knit fabric is made of loops, it is always at least a little bit stretchy. This is because the loops are not rigid and instead allow the yarn to move within the stitches. There are no knots within the knitting to stop the strands of yarn moving alongside each other.

Knit fabric is built up row-by-row, and each loop joins to an adjacent loop by being pulled through the centre of it.

I have made a video (see below) to show how these loops connect and how knitting works. For the demonstration, I have used rope to represent the yarn, and have shown the creation of both knit and purl stitches.