How to Make a Slip Knot Cast Off

Before beginning your knitting project, you must first make a slip knot and cast on.

Making a slip knot and casting on before knitting will give you a nice clean edge while teaching you the basic skills to knit. The knit cast off is an easy way to get your stitches on the needle to begin any knitting project you choose. The slip stitch and cast off method is easy for beginners and useful for casting a lot of stitches on the needle.

Things You'll Need

• 1 skein yarn
• 1 pair knitting needles

Instructions

1. Begin with an initial loop on your needle to create the slip knot. Create a loop with your yarn with the tail of your yarn ball dangling in front of your hand.

2. Wrap the yarn loosely twice over the first two fingers of your left hand, in a clockwise motion. Insert the needle through your loop. Move the needle under the tail and back out the loop.

3. Slip the part of the yarn that is attached to the ball under the loop behind your fingers. Slide the loop off of your fingers. Pull the tail to slightly tighten.

4. Insert the needle through your loop. Move the needle under the tail and back out the loop. Pull the tail again gently to create the slip knot on the needle. Cast on and begin working your knitting project.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not pull your string too tightly. You will need to have the slip knot loose enough to put your needle through it and cast on.

References

• "Get Knitting!: From Casting On to Binding Off"; Gina Macris; 2008
• "Encyclopedia Of Knitting Techniques: A Step-by-step Visual Guide"; Lesley Stanfield, Melody Griffiths; 2000
• "Field Guide to Knitting"; Jackie Pawlowski; 2007

Resources

• Ravelry: Homepage