Lesson 2 of 8

Casting On

Long-Tail Cast-On

The most widely used cast-on in knitting. It creates a neat, elastic edge that looks professional and works for almost every project. It also creates the first row of knitting simultaneously, making it efficient.

When to Use

Use the long-tail cast-on as your default. It's ideal for garments, hats, socks, and anything where you want a stretchy, tidy starting edge.

Step by Step

  1. Estimate your tail: allow about 1 inch of yarn per stitch you're casting on, plus 6 inches extra.
  2. Make a slip knot at the measured point and place it on your needle — this counts as your first stitch.
  3. Hold the needle in your right hand. Drape the tail over your left thumb and the working yarn over your left index finger. Hold both strands in your left palm.
  4. Insert the needle tip upward through the loop on your thumb.
  5. Swing the needle over and grab the strand on your index finger, pulling it through the thumb loop.
  6. Slip the thumb loop off and gently tug the tail to snug the stitch. That's one cast-on stitch.
  7. Reposition your thumb and repeat.
The long-tail cast-on uses two strands simultaneously. If you run out of tail before you've cast on all your stitches, you'll need to start over with a longer tail — it's a common beginner mistake!

Checking Tension

Your cast-on stitches should be even and not too tight. If you can't easily insert your needle back through them for the first row, cast on more loosely. Try using a needle one size larger for the cast-on only, then switch back.

Knitted Cast-On

The knitted cast-on uses a knit stitch to produce each new cast-on stitch. It's the easiest method for complete beginners because it uses the same motion as knitting itself.

When to Use

Great for absolute beginners learning the knit stitch. Also used mid-project when you need to cast on additional stitches (e.g., adding button bands or underarm stitches).

Step by Step

  1. Make a slip knot and place it on the left needle.
  2. Insert the right needle into the slip knot as if to knit.
  3. Wrap the working yarn around the right needle and pull a loop through — but don't remove the stitch from the left needle.
  4. Place the new loop onto the left needle. You have two stitches.
  5. Insert the right needle into the last stitch made and repeat: wrap, pull loop through, place on left needle.
  6. Continue until you have the required number of stitches.
The knitted cast-on creates a slightly loose, loopy edge. It's not ideal for items that need a firm cast-on (like sock cuffs) but is perfectly fine for scarves, swatches, and general practice.

Cable Cast-On

Similar to the knitted cast-on but produces a firmer, more defined edge. The only difference is that after the first two stitches, you insert the needle between the last two stitches rather than into the last stitch.

When to Use

Use the cable cast-on when you need to add stitches in the middle of a project (e.g., for button loops, thumb gussets, or after a bind-off). Its firm edge holds up well under stress.

Step by Step

  1. Cast on the first two stitches using the knitted cast-on method.
  2. Insert the right needle between the last two stitches on the left needle (not into the last stitch).
  3. Wrap the yarn and pull a loop through.
  4. Place the new loop onto the left needle.
  5. Repeat steps 2–4 for each additional stitch.

Thumb Method (Single Cast-On)

Also called the backward-loop or e-wrap cast-on. The simplest of all cast-on methods — just a loop of yarn placed over the thumb and transferred to the needle. Very quick but creates a loose edge.

When to Use

Useful when you need to cast on just one or two stitches mid-project (e.g., adding a stitch at the edge of shaping). Not recommended as a main cast-on for larger projects as the stitches tend to be uneven and hard to work into.

Step by Step

  1. Hold the needle in your right hand with a slip knot already in place.
  2. Hold the working yarn in your left hand.
  3. Loop the yarn over your left thumb from front to back.
  4. Insert the needle tip upward through the thumb loop.
  5. Slide the loop off your thumb and gently pull the yarn to snug the stitch.
  6. Repeat.
🔧 Use the Cast-On Calculator to find your exact stitch count for any width. Open Calculator →
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