How to Cast on When Knitting

Knitting sweaters, vests and scarves can be a blast. Casting on each stitch starts the knitting process. This easy first step is very important because it will determine the size and shape of your garment. Whether you are knitting a sweater, gloves, hat or mittens you still must start with casting on your stitches. Read on to learn how to cast on when knitting.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knitting needles
• Yarn

1. Start casting on stitches. Grasp your yarn with one hand. Make a loop in the yarn about 6 inches from the end. Take the tail of the yarn and pull it through this loop.

2. Hold one knitting needle in your hand. Put the needle through the loop you just made. Tighten the loop up on the needle. This is the first stitch and you will use this to make more stitches.

3. Pick up the needle with the stitch, in your left hand. Hold the needle between your thumb and index finger. Pick up the other needle with your right hand and hold it with your thumb and index finger.

4. Insert the right hand needle into the stitch on the left hand needle. Now both needles are in the one stitch. Hold both needles with your left hand by extending your thumb and forefinger to grasp both.

5. Take the strand of yarn that goes to the ball of yarn, and wrap it around the needle on the right. Pull the yarn very tight against the needle. Bring your right knitting needle through the yarn on the left needle from the center out. You now have your second stitch on your right needle.

6. Transfer this new stitch to the left needle. Repeat Steps 4 and 5, transferring each stitch to the right needle as you make them, until you have the number of stitches called for in your pattern. Casting on is done and you are now ready to knit.