How to Knit – Casting On Stitches

Casting On
(AKA how to get stitches on the needles)

You’ve got your supplies.  Now what?

Choosing Needles        Choosing Yarn

Time to get stitches on the needles!  This is called casting on.  There are multiple ways to cast on stitches.  I’ll cover a quick and easy one.  I use this method 99% of the time when I’m casting on.  I also like this method b/c it’s essentially a knit stitch so if you can cast on you’re halfway to knitting your first scarf or ear warmer or washcloth!!

Tie A Slipnot

First, tie a slip knot.  Your tail should be at least 3 inches.

Place the loop over the left needle.

Now you are Ready. To. Rumble!!…or Cast. On. Stitches!!!

For a primer on how to hold the needles check back here.

Step 1:

Insert the right needle into the front of the yarn loop.  The needle should go in from front to back.

Step 2:

Holding the yarn in your right hand, make a loop around the inserted needle.  To do this, bring the yarn around the back and then in between the two needles.

**Remember, some people prefer to knit Continental style and hold the yarn in their left hand
…lefties I’m looking at you!

Step 3:

Draw the right needle from the back to the front.  Catch that yarn you just brought through the needles as you bring the right needle forward.

Step 4:

Now you have another loop on the right needle.  Yay! You just created a new stitch!  Pat yourself on the back…wait you’re holding needles.  Let’s wait a second…

Step 5:

Insert the left needle into the loop on the right needle.  Slip the new stitch on to the left needle.

Now you have two stitches on the left needle.  The original slip knot and one cast on stitch.

Now pat yourself on the back, take a sip of coffee, reward yourself with an M&M.  Whatever floats your boat!  You did it!  You rock!

Wait, wait.  Don’t stop yet.

Keep casting on stitches.

Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you have the required number of stitches on your left needle.  If you’re just learning, cast on 15-20 stitches for practice.

Once you’ve cast on your stitches click through to knit the stitches you just created.

How to Knit – Knit Stitch

You’re doing great!!  Keep going!