Pinhole Cast On Tutorial
The pinhole cast-on is an elegant way to start a piece of knitting from the centre. It is used to begin circular and square shawls, blankets, top-down hats, and other similar items. The POP!! blanket and the Dogwood Blanket both use the pinhole cast on.
While you may find it quite awkward the first, second, and perhaps third time you try it, it becomes easy with practice, and is a useful technique to add to your knitting repertoire.
PINHOLE CAST ON IN 5 EASY STEPS
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.
To begin, create a circle using the end of the yarn. Pinch the circle in your LH, and hold the needle and working yarn in your RH. You will create new stitches using the point of the needle, working into the centre of the circle.
1. insert needle into circle from front to back
2. wrap yarn around needle
3. use needle point to bring loop through circle from back to front (1 new loop on needle)
4. wrap working yarn around needle point (2 new loops on needle)
5. 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!
So here’s what it looks like close-up:
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?!
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 at by MountainMom [here] or see a photo tutorial by Theresa at SpellingTuesday [here]
What have you been struggling with? Are there any techniques that you would love to learn? Is there something you think that we should cover on the blog? We love to hear from our readers, so be sure to pop us an email!
Like this? Share on Facebook and get our email updates! Thanks for your support, ♥ Emily & Alexa
Patterns that use the pinhole cast-on:
I can’t believe that’s knitted! I love the colours of the circular throw.
This is really a great cast-on for knitting in the round! I love it!
This cast on is essentially for crocheters and has been around for eons. It’s called the Magic loop.
Cast on was fine, I used a crochet hook though, bind off however had me a bit confused
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!
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?
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