Welcome back to our series about the basics of knitting! In this third installment, we'll be talking about casting on - the foundation of any knitting project. If you missed our previous articles, you can catch up on the basics of knitting and how to choose yarn and needles before continuing.
Casting on is essentially creating the first row of stitches on your needle. There are many different methods of casting on, and the one you choose will depend on the project you're making and your personal preference. Today, we'll be discussing three of the most common casting on methods: the long-tail cast on, the knit cast on, and the cable cast on.
The Long-Tail Cast On
The long-tail cast on is one of the most popular and versatile methods of casting on. It creates a neat, stretchy edge that works well for a variety of knitting projects. To begin, you'll need to estimate the amount of yarn you'll need for your cast on. A good rule of thumb is to measure out six times the width of your knitting project.
Step 1: Make a slipknot at the end of your yarn, leaving a tail that's about four to six inches long.
Step 2: Hold your needle in your right hand and drape the tail of your yarn over your left thumb, with the end of the yarn hanging down over your left index finger.
Step 3: Use your right hand to bring the needle down and under the yarn that's draped over your thumb and then up between your thumb and index finger.
Step 4: Bring the needle up and over the yarn hanging down over your index finger and then back down between your thumb and index finger.
Step 5: Use your thumb to hold the loop of yarn that's on the needle in place and repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have enough loops for your cast on. Remember to keep your stitches loose and even.
Step 6: When you have enough stitches, slip your thumb out of the loop and tighten the yarn by pulling on the tail end.
The Knit Cast On
The knit cast on is a simple and straightforward method that creates a neat, sturdy edge. It's great for beginners as it only involves one type of stitch - the knit stitch.
Step 1: Make a slipknot at the end of your yarn and insert your needle into the loop.
Step 2: Hold the needle with the knot in your right hand and use your left hand to wrap the yarn around your thumb and index finger.
Step 3: Put your right needle under the yarn that's on your left thumb and pull it up and over the needle.
Step 4: Pull the yarn tight to create a new loop on your left needle.
Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have the desired number of loops on your needle.
The Cable Cast On
The cable cast on is a method that creates a firm edge that's perfect for projects that require a bit of structure. It can be a bit trickier than the other two methods we've covered, but with some practice, it becomes just as easy!
Step 1: Make a slipknot at the end of your yarn and insert your needle into the loop.
Step 2: Hold the needle with the knot in your right hand and use your left hand to create a loop of yarn that's roughly twice the width of your needle.
Step 3: Hold the needle with the loop in your left hand and insert the right needle into the loop as if you were beginning to knit.
Step 4: Wrap the yarn around the right needle and pull it through the loop.
Step 5: Slip the new loop onto your left needle.
Step 6: Repeat steps 3-5 until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle.
Now that you've learned three different methods of casting on, you should have everything you need to get started on your next knitting project! Remember to practice each method until you're comfortable with it and experiment with different techniques to find the ones that work best for you. Happy knitting!