How to Cast On in Knitting w/o Using a Slip Knot

Casting on is the first step in starting a knitting project. It is how you place the first row of stitches onto your needle.

This particular method allows you to begin the process without tying a slip knot.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• your choice of yarn
• knitting needles any size

1. 
    

   Loop the yarn around your thumb and index finger and holding the rest in place in the palm of your hand with your other fingers. Place the needle under the yarn between your thumb and index finger.

2. 
    
   the completed step looks like this

   Using the needle, bring the yarn that was between your thumb and index finger to the outside edge of your thumb. Slide your needle underneath the yarn wrapped around the outside of your thumb.

3. 
    
   the completed step looks like this

   Turn the point of your needle towards your index finger so that it goes over the yarn. Then loop your needle under the yarn and back towards the center.

4. 
    

   Turn your needle to the left and loop the needle under the yarn on the inside of your thumb.

5. 
    

   Release your thumb from its loop and use your index finger to adjust the yarn furthest from you. You may also want to use your thumb to adjust the yarn closet to you. This adjusts the tightness of the stitches on your needle. You have now cast on two stitches.

6. To continue casting on, do so just as if you had a slip knot tied using steps 2-5.

Tips & Warnings

• When starting out, make sure you have pulled out aprox. 1 inch per stitch needed (as determined by your pattern) from your skein of yarn. Be sure to begin in the center of that length.

Resources

• How to Get Free Knitting Patterns by ehow writer Peggy Hazelwood

[RENorton]

on 2/9/2009 Excellent article. Very well-written with a lot of great info. Excellent debut piece. Welcome to eHow! 5 stars and a recommendation.

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 2/8/2009 Great article and pictures on how to start knitting without a slip knot! 5*