How to Cast on Knitting Stitches

To begin any knitting project you must first create a foundation row of stitches on one of your two needles, which is known as casting on. There are several ways to cast on, and the following steps exhibit the way that's easiest for beginner knitters.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Measure a length of yarn off your ball, allowing about one inch for each stitch you need to cast on. Your knitting pattern tells you the number of stitches you need to cast on.

2. Create a slipknot at your measured off point of yarn. Pass the right side of your yarn over the left side to make a loop. Pull a second loop through the middle of your first loop, using the yarn's tail end. Keep pulling the tail end to tighten your slipknot. Slide your slipknot onto one needle and pull it to fit snugly, making your first stitch.

3. Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand and place the short yarn end over your left thumb, winding it from front to back. Place the other end of yarn from the ball up the right side of your left index finger and around, so the yarn crosses over the front of your index finger. Hold both yarn ends with your three end fingers.

4. Insert the tip of your slip-knotted needle under the yarn from your thumb, from front to back. Then bring the needle, with yarn from thumb, over and under the strand of yarn on your index finger.

5. Pull the needle, with yarn, back through the loop on your thumb.

6. Slip your thumb out of the loop and pull the yarn's loose end to fasten the new stitch to the needle.

7. Insert your needle again and repeat the process for as many stitches as you need.

Tips & Warnings

• When securing each stitch to the needle, make sure it fits closely but not tightly. Practice until you can cast on stitches that aren't too loose or tight.