Welcome back to our knitting basics series! In this fourth installment, we will be covering casting on. Casting on is the first step in any knitting project. It is the process of creating the first row of stitches onto your knitting needle. There are several ways to cast on, but we will be focusing on the long-tail cast on method.
The long-tail cast on method is a popular choice for many knitters because it creates a neat, stretchy edge. It is also considered a versatile method since it can be used for any type of knitting project, such as scarves, hats, and sweaters.
Step 1: Estimate and Measure the Tail
The first step is to estimate the length of the tail. The tail is the length of yarn that will be used to create the first row of stitches. To estimate the tail, hold the yarn in your left hand and wrap it around your thumb and index finger. The number of wraps will be approximately the number of stitches you need, plus a little extra for the width of the tail.
Once you have an estimate, measure the length of the tail by holding the end of the yarn with your left hand and the yarn wrapped around your fingers with your right hand. Stretch your arms out and the length of the yarn should be about twice the width of your knitted piece (e.g. if you’re knitting a scarf that is 8 inches wide, your tail should be about 16 inches long). Cut the yarn at this length, leaving a little extra on the end for weaving in later.
Step 2: Make a Slipknot
Take the end of the tail and make a loop, with the tail behind the loop. The loop should be about the width of your needle. Take the tail and bring it over the loop, then behind the loop again, leaving a little tail hanging down. With your right hand, insert the tip of your needle through the loop, catching the tail underneath the loop. Hold the needle with your right hand and the yarn with your left hand, and pull gently to tighten the loop around the needle. This is your slipknot.
Step 3: Cast On the First Stitch
With the slipknot on your needle, hold the yarn with your left hand and the needle with your right hand. Insert the tip of your right-hand needle into the slipknot from left to right. This creates a new loop on the right-hand needle. With your left hand, bring the yarn over and behind the right-hand needle. With your right hand, pull the new loop through the slipknot loop. This creates your first stitch. Keep the stitch snug, without tightening it too much.
Step 4: Continue to Cast On
Repeat step 3 until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle. Remember to keep the stitches even, neither too tight nor too loose. Once you have cast on all the stitches you need, cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches. Pull the tail through the loop on your needle and pull tight. Congratulations, you have cast on your first row of stitches!
Tips for Success
- If you are a beginner, it is helpful to practice the long-tail cast on method on larger needles and worsted weight yarn first, before moving on to smaller needles and finer yarns.
- Keep the stitches even and not too tight or too loose. If the stitches are too tight, it will be difficult to knit the first row. If the stitches are too loose, it will create a sloppy edge and make it difficult to keep the tension consistent throughout your knitting.
- When casting on a large number of stitches, it may be helpful to count every 20 or 50 stitches to make sure you have the right number.
- To avoid running out of tail yarn, start with more yarn than you think you will need. You can always cut off the extra at the end and weave it in.
- If the tail is too short, undo the cast-on and start again with a longer tail. If the tail is too long, you can cut it off at the end and weave it in as an extra strand.
- If you’re unsure about how many stitches to cast on, consult your pattern or use a gauge swatch to determine how many stitches per inch your knitting will be. Multiply that number by the width of your piece to get the total number of stitches you need.
Casting on is an essential skill in knitting and will help you get started on any project. Once you’ve mastered the long-tail cast-on method, don’t be shy to explore other methods like the knit cast-on or cable cast-on in order to discover which suits you best. In our next article, we’ll cover the basic knit stitch, so stay tuned!