The pinhole cast-on is a technique used to cast on stitches to start a project that is knit in the round from the centre out. Stitches are cast on around a loop of yarn, and then that loop is pulled tight. These stitches can then be worked in the round. It must be noted that this technique is also referred to as the Emily Ocker cast-on. So many fabulous Emilys in the knitting world eh? Is that too cheeky or what?!
While you may find it quite awkward the first, second, and perhaps third time you try it, the pinhole cast-on becomes easy with practice, and is a useful technique to add to your knitting repertoire! We have used this technique in the Dogwood, Vivid, and POP! blanket patterns.
Pinhole cast-on in 5 easy steps
Set-up: to begin, create a circle using the end of the yarn. Pinch the circle in your left hand, and hold the needle and working yarn in your right hand. You will create new stitches using the point of the needle, working into the centre of the circle.
- Insert needle into circle from front to back
- Wrap yarn around needle
- Use needle point to bring loop through circle from back to front (1 new loop on needle)
- Wrap working yarn around needle point (2 new loops on needle)
- Use finger to lift first loop over second loop and off the needle : 1 loop remains, this is one stitch cast-on
Repeat steps 1-5 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches. Pull on the yarn end to close the circle up to a tiny spot in the centre of the work. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!
A close up look at each step:
Note: I have described and illustrated these instructions using a knitting needle, because that is how I do it, however you may find it easier to use a crochet hook instead, and then transfer the cast-on stitches onto knitting needles at the end. The instructions are the same in either case, so you can try both and see which way suits you best.
Did you try this tutorial and it’s not doing it for you?
Other knitters who have also described how to do this cast on: Watch a video by MountainMom here or see a photo tutorial by Theresa at SpellingTuesday here.
Tin Can Knits Patterns that use the Pinhole cast-on:
January 22, 2022 @ 7:40 pm
Hi Emily & Alexa,
You two are great in my opinion this pattern is mind bogging but I will try it out. Thanks for sharing. Love your work. Margaret
January 24, 2022 @ 2:28 am
Best luck!
Musselburgh Hat – Rora114 Knits
June 29, 2021 @ 6:45 pm
[…] the Pinhole Cast On by Tin Can Knits. I googled for centre-out cast ons and saw TCK. They’re so good at tutorials […]
[Woolly Adventures] 2021 Temperature Blanket – KJHaxton
January 29, 2021 @ 2:00 am
[…] outside in and centre out patterns in the past and despite the challenges of a pinhole cast on (https://blog.tincanknits.com/2012/05/25/pinhole-cast-on-tutorial/) I find I get less confused going centre out. You just have to remember to increase the number of […]
October 15, 2020 @ 8:21 pm
Hello. I hope you can help me with the crossed cardigan. After watching tutorials, I got the pinhole CO. NOW I am struggling with the math of beginning after CO 8 plus round 1 (+4 stitches from YO’s)=12. Now chart A rounds 1, 3, 5, and 7 with 4 stitches per round, total 16 additional stitches: 12+16=28. How do I get to 36 total after 8 rows of chart A? Pls help. Thanks.
August 15, 2020 @ 1:55 am
Dear Emily and Alexa
I watched Mountain Mums Tutorial ,it made more sense of what u were trying to say and it brought back memories of my crocheting days..😁.Thank you. The Dogwood blanket is beautiful.
Sheela.
18 Knitting Cast On Methods To Learn and Master | The Knitting Librarian | The Knitting Librarian
July 18, 2020 @ 4:08 am
[…] pretty stoked when I came across written instructions and illustrations of the Pinhole Cast On at tincanknits using only knitting needles. And a video tutorial by Suzanne […]
Plan a Special Knit for YOU | Tin Can Knits
April 2, 2020 @ 2:15 am
[…] of these blankets is knit one square at a time, beginning at the centre with the elegant pinhole cast-on, and working outward. This means they are great projects for taking along with you on holiday […]
December 17, 2019 @ 5:13 am
I can manage to get the first stitch cast on. I don’t know which loop to use to cast on the second stitch?
December 17, 2019 @ 3:10 pm
Hi Carol – it’s the same loop, you are casting all the stitches onto the same loop. Does that help?
Eco-KNiT Along in Rathmines – Dublin Knit Collective
September 22, 2019 @ 2:41 am
[…] TINCAN KNITS pinhole cast on tutorial […]
July 1, 2019 @ 3:18 pm
I am frustrated as I cannot find how to get to your knit alongs. I have clicked on the link to your blog and it takes me to the CO. I need to watch as you knit the German short rows. I am confused at that point.
July 4, 2019 @ 9:48 am
I’m sorry Betty – we don’t actually have a video for this technique; years ago there was a Knit Along in our Ravelry.com forum, but that’s long past so I’ve removed the link. But we do have a tutorial on german short rows here: https://blog.tincanknits.com/2015/05/14/german-short-rows/
Knitter’s Block – Knits from a Small Island
May 23, 2019 @ 1:34 am
[…] great fun to knit this way as you feel like you’re getting somewhere much quicker, I used the pinhole cast on and went from there. It made it easier to set up the lace pattern as you can see where you […]
18 Knitting Cast On Methods To Learn and Master - The Knitting Librarian
February 7, 2019 @ 1:17 am
[…] pretty stoked when I came across written instructions and illustrations of the Pinhole Cast On at tincanknits using only knitting needles. And a video tutorial by Suzanne […]
18 Knitting Cast On Methods To Learn and Master | My Filing Cabinet
December 27, 2018 @ 10:19 pm
[…] pretty stoked when I came across written instructions and illustrations of the Pinhole Cast On at tincanknits using only knitting needles. And a video tutorial by Suzanne […]
February 15, 2018 @ 10:59 am
Best damned instruction I’ve come across ! I’ve spent HOURS watching videos and swearing horribly … :D
Episode 036 (All the Designs!)
September 1, 2017 @ 1:26 pm
[…] hat in Unwind Yarn Company 100% Corriedale Roving, Solar Flare. Used pinhole cast-on to […]
#TCKnewtricksKAL | Tin Can Knits
August 11, 2017 @ 2:12 pm
[…] shawl, knit in the round using the magic loop technique, or start a centre-out project using the pinhole cast on method. Alongside our in-depth project based tutorials, we’ve got a pile of great technique tutorials, […]
Episode 035
July 31, 2017 @ 6:27 pm
[…] hat in Unwind Yarn Company 100% Corriedale Roving, Solar Flare. Used pinhole cast-on to […]
Episode 024 (An Interview with Dianna of The Knitting Boutique)
December 30, 2016 @ 9:02 am
[…] Twists (80/20 acrylic/wool in Avocado and Gold colorways) for the Chemex Coffee Pot. I used the Pinhole Cast-on to […]
YARN ALONG: Starting Christmas Knitting | Decaffienated Crafting
July 20, 2016 @ 12:29 pm
[…] and second major lace project. I tried a few different cast-on before ending up with the pinhole cast-on and having that work for me. The first time I got to this point I messed up the repeat pretty […]
April 22, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
I am working on the POP blanket and it is so beautiful but my cast off remains super tight. Any suggestions?
April 24, 2016 @ 10:18 am
Try the stretchy bind off recommended in the pattern and try going up a few needle sizes for the bind off.
February 23, 2016 @ 8:55 pm
Just got the Vivid blanket pattern and used this tutorial to learn how to do the pinhole cast-on. Thank you so much! The great drawings make it so easy to follow! It took me 3 tries (and one change of yarn) to get it just right, and I have finished my first test square. Can’t wait to try another one!!!
Episode 004 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
November 29, 2015 @ 6:52 am
[…] Hat using Pinhole Cast-on in Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Spirit (100% wool) on U.S. size 6 (4.0 mm) […]
November 7, 2015 @ 9:32 am
I just bought the POP! pattern. Printed it out, got out my GORGEOUS Noro yarn, and needles. I looked at the pattern for the first time and my heart sunk when I saw that I had to learn a new cast on.
All that happened about three minutes ago. Thank you SO much for such an easy cast on tutorial!! :D
August 27, 2016 @ 11:38 am
ola casey onde comprar a receita da colcha?
Episode 73 – yarn gluttony of epic proportions (shownotes) | Suburban Stitcher
October 22, 2015 @ 6:24 am
[…] from Desert Vista Dyeworks. I did switch out the way that I cast on for these squares. I used a tutorial from Tin Can Knits, and it is a great […]
October 21, 2015 @ 7:41 am
I’d like to enlarge one circle of the pop blanket to make a circular cushion cover. Can you advise me how to go about increasing the circle to make it much larger than in the pop blanket please?
October 14, 2015 @ 10:45 pm
Thank you very much; this is he first time I have understood this cast on because your pictures are so clear.
September 23, 2015 @ 11:54 pm
Keep coming back to this page to refresh my memory! Knit the Vivid blanket and loved the pattern and the results. Thanks for your creativity and clarity!!
September 29, 2015 @ 6:23 am
You’re welcome!
February 7, 2016 @ 7:40 pm
Marie – I am about to attempt the Vivid blanket and am apprehensive. What does it mean by wet block the squares ??
February 8, 2016 @ 8:48 pm
Wet blocking is just getting your square wet (I soak it in cool water in the sink), then laying it flat to dry, or better yet, pinning it to a mat or piece of cardboard to really show off the lace
February 10, 2016 @ 11:49 pm
Thanks for that. Now just to master the cast on 😊😊
Klever Summer KAL – Casting On | klever knits
April 13, 2015 @ 11:59 am
[…] Loop Cast On Pinhole Cast On I-cord tail For mine, I cast on 8 sts on one dpn. Using the second dpn, I knit 2 sts, with the […]
Dogwood Blanket Tutorial | Tin Can Knits
January 15, 2015 @ 8:59 pm
[…] four times per round (more on that later). To start a project from the center you will first work a Pinhole Cast On. You will then work the lace chart and bind off all of your stitches loosely. Once you have 4 or […]
September 25, 2014 @ 11:37 am
Amazing hand-drawn tutorial! I’ve never had such an easy time learning a new knitting technique – thank you!
April 27, 2014 @ 2:39 am
Hi,
I have been enjoying knitting up the POP Blanket for my little one, but I do have an observation to make regarding your Pinhole Cast On Tutorial. I looked at your images again and again and keep on coming up with the same result: my stitches end up twisted after the cast on (I am casting on using knitting needles). This leads me to think that one of your images might be faulty. I think it is due to the image in step 4, where the yarn wraps from front to back instead of back to front as in step 2. It seems logical that this can’t be, as with a crochet hook one would always grab the yarn the same way? Or am I missing something obvious? I did try to wrap the yarn from back to front for step 4, but this gets really tricky with a knitting needle. In the end I just opted for readjusting my loops when knitting them up.
Thanks,
Lila
April 13, 2014 @ 10:00 am
how fabulous! worked beautifully first time! thankyou :)
Facebook can lead to fun and simple lace knitting…. | frozentundrafiberarts
April 2, 2014 @ 2:03 pm
[…] and don’t forget her nifty, neato tutorial for doing a pinhole cast-on (yes, it was my first time and I loved learning something […]
January 12, 2014 @ 11:31 pm
First off I just want to say I love this!!!
I know that I’m probably being dense but….. I prefer Magic Loop and I can’t seem to wrap my ahead around the yarn overs that end up being at the end of a needle. Any insight would be greatly appreciated :) (I should mention that it’s 11:30 pm so maybe I’m just tired?) LOL
January 23, 2014 @ 2:21 pm
Hi Debbie – thanks for your question! When I get to the end of one of the needles in magic loop, and the lace pattern has a yarn-over at the end of the needle, what I do is work the yarn over as usual (wrap the yarn from the back, to the front, then over the needle to the back of the work). Then I use my left hand to pinch that yarn over on the needle, while I rotate the work 180 degrees, so that the needle I just worked onto is in the back… keeping my left hand pinched over the yarn over prevents it from falling off the needle. Then I push the old LH needle back into the new 1/2 of the stitches, and pull out the old LH needle, drawing the tip under the working yarn. Then I work the first stitch right away, thus ‘trapping’ the yarn-over, so it’s in place and can’t go anywhere.
Not sure if this description is clear… but best to try it when you’re not too tired! Good Luck!
November 24, 2013 @ 1:22 am
I want to know what is w&t
November 24, 2013 @ 1:20 am
I want what is w&t
December 11, 2013 @ 5:25 pm
W & T means ‘wrap and turn’ – it’s a technique used when working ‘short rows’. You can learn how to do it here:
http://www.purlbee.com/knitting-tutorials-advanced-te/2008/6/18/short-rows.html
October 13, 2013 @ 12:10 pm
Just took the class yesterday at Verb in Oakland. Enjoyed the class and loved to be spending time learning new skills. Got myself a new pattern book too! Emily was very patient and fun to learn from (I was next to the “rapid turn” as I dubbed her as she was speedy in the w&t’s). Can’t wait to get my blanket under way…
October 13, 2013 @ 2:10 pm
Hi Shirley – thanks for coming out yesterday! It was a very enjoyable class and such a lovely place to teach! Good luck with the blanket, and be sure to share it on the Tin Can Knits ravelry group too! Warmly, Emily
Cross Cardigan | Long Lake Yarns
September 8, 2013 @ 5:31 pm
[…] knitting at the center back, with a pinhole cast on. The designers’ website gives excellent instructions for […]
July 15, 2013 @ 6:08 pm
I guess I am stupid but do you recommend knitting Vivid in the round or with double pointed needles
July 15, 2013 @ 10:16 pm
Solid question, I used dpns to start, then switched to a circular for the border. Emily used magic loop for the whole thing.
Alexa
Cool Cast Ons | Mama O Knits Too Much
April 18, 2013 @ 8:25 am
[…] Pinhole Cast on […]
February 24, 2013 @ 4:02 pm
When you go on to start knitting (in Dogwood specifically, but I guess anywhere) would you recommend transferring to DPNs or do you use a magic loop technique?
February 24, 2013 @ 10:34 pm
Hi Helen
I hate to give you conflicting advice but it’s really just a preference. I prefer double pointed needles for something small like that but Emily loves the magic loop. Both will work!
Alexa
February 19, 2013 @ 8:41 am
Thank you for the tutorial. I love the pictures! I looked in several knitting books and nothing! Now I can start knitting the POP blanket!
January 3, 2013 @ 9:13 am
Cast on was fine, I used a crochet hook though, bind off however had me a bit confused
December 26, 2012 @ 1:40 pm
This cast on is essentially for crocheters and has been around for eons. It’s called the Magic loop.
October 8, 2012 @ 5:15 am
This is really a great cast-on for knitting in the round! I love it!
Buzz. | ZigoZago Craft
June 15, 2012 @ 5:10 am
[…] learn to do a Pinhole Cast on (great tute over here….or you can as Dr. Google for a video), knitting with dp needles in the round. Increases and […]
May 26, 2012 @ 2:26 pm
I can’t believe that’s knitted! I love the colours of the circular throw. :)