How to Cast on in Knitting

Pull enough yarn to cast on enough stitches for your project. It is better to pull too much yarn than not enough. A good estimate is about one inch per stitch.

Make a slip knot and place both knitting needles inside of the knot. Tighten the knot. I use both needles to make a nice loose cast on which gives a nice free edge to my project.

Next let the two ends of the yarn hang down from the needles. Place your forefinger and thumb on the inside of the two strands of yarn. Grab the strands of yarn with your other three fingers. Pull needles back slightly to the right.

Put the points of both needles at the base of the left thumb and put them through the loop of yarn which has been formed. Go over the strand of yarn at the base of the left index finger. Catch that strand of yarn and pull it through to the base of the left thumb. Slide that loop off over the thumb. Do not let go of the two strands of yarn with the other three fingers because you will now be back to putting the needle at the base of the left thumb and repeat the process.

Cast on the amount of stitches you need and then pull one needle carefully out of the cast on stitches. You are now ready to start your project.