The starting point for a piece of knitted fabric is called the cast on. You can’t knit until you have cast on, so grab some needles and yarn, and cast on now!
There are many different cast on methods (each with different properties), but we will start with the ‘knitted on’ cast on method first.
Knitted fabric is formed of a series of loops (called stitches). To start casting on, make a slip knot as your first stitch.
HOW TO MAKE A SLIP KNOT :::
1. make a loop in the end of the yarn.
2. push another loop of yarn through that loop.
3. voila – you have a slip knot. Place the loop it on the needle.
Now that you have your first stitch on the needle, hold the needle in your left hand (LH needle) and take a look at it.
The stitch has two ‘legs’ – one in the front of the needle, and one at the back. From now on, whenever you knit (or purl) you will begin by inserting the right hand knitting needle (RH needle) in between the front and back leg of the stitch.
HOW TO CAST ON :::
1. insert the RH needle from front to back into the stitch
2. wrap the yarn around the point of the RH needle
3. use the RH needle tip to pull a loop of the working yarn out from back to front, through the first stitch.
4. place this new loop on the LH needle.
You now have 1 more stitch on the needles (2 total).
Simply continue to repeat steps 1-4 (always working into the last stitch you placed on the LH needle) until you have the desired number of stitches.
How do you know how many stitches you have? Easy – just count the number of loops on your LH needle. The slipknot you made first counts as a stitch.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR CASTING ON :::
TENSION: Don’t pull tightly on the new loop after placing it on the LH needle, or the stitch will be too tight for you to insert your needle into it when you knit the next row. You will be able to tell if you cast on too tightly, because you will find it awkward when attempting to knit the next row – in this case start again with a looser cast-on.
KNITTING FRIENDS: Sometimes casting on can seem like the most complicated part of a knitting project. If you can’t get it, just find a friend to cast on for you. After a little practice at knitting, casting on will seem much simpler! Don’t know any knitting friends? Well, you should! Generous and welcoming knit groups exist in most places, and are a great place to learn knitting and meet new people. Just google “knit group Vancouver” and see what pops up!
Are you ready to start a project, and practice casting on? We suggest starting with the Wheat Scarf, or the Malt blanket. These are the first two designs from The Simple Collection, a free step-by-step learn to knit program. Each beginner pattern is explained by tutorials (like this one), and you can share them with your friends, or if you are a teacher, you can use them in your classes! If you get our email updates, we can let you know when new free patterns and tutorials are released!
Do you teach knitting? For Simple Collection PDF handouts for knitting teachers, click here.
Great Simple Knits by Tin Can Knits:
New Knitters, Begin Here! | Tin Can Knits
February 24, 2022 @ 6:00 am
[…] or even just a little piece of knitting with no particular purpose. You just want to figure out casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off. Those are the most important basics, and if that seems like […]
How to Knit an I-Cord Edge | Tin Can Knits
January 13, 2022 @ 6:00 am
[…] these extra i-cord stitches using either the knitted cast-on method (described below) or the backward loop cast-on to add extra stitches on to the LH (left-hand) […]
September 11, 2021 @ 12:40 pm
This article says “Links to other methods can be found here”. When I click on “here” it takes me to the new site and I can’t find any info on other methods. I could have sworn there were instructions for a long tail cast on but I can’t find it anywhere.
September 13, 2021 @ 5:14 am
Hi Julie – thanks for letting us know! I’ll fix that issue in this post shortly. Until then, you can find our posts about casting-on here : https://blog.tincanknits.com/?s=cast+on
September 17, 2021 @ 7:01 pm
Thank you so much!!!
Pocket Power! How to Add Pockets to Any Sweater You Like | Tin Can Knits
July 15, 2021 @ 6:00 am
[…] Pocket opening row (RS): Work to marker, place pocket sts on waste yarn, and then cast on the same number of stitches. Work remainder of row, placing on hold and casting on for any additional pockets. We suggest casting those extra stitches to the right-hand needle using the backwards loop cast on or turning the work to use the knitted-on cast-on. […]
Why Knitting is a Good Hobby (when you’re stuck at home) – KNIT FURIOUSLY
March 29, 2020 @ 7:46 pm
[…] Tin Can Knits How to Cast On has a great tutorial with step-by-step drawings as well as a video, which I will also embed here: […]
September 12, 2019 @ 7:39 am
Which cast on method would you use for flax light pullover.
September 12, 2019 @ 11:36 am
I am not very exciting with my cast on, I usually go for a long tail.
Golden Light | Movie Signature
December 1, 2018 @ 10:09 am
[…] created 11 Simple Collection structures, specifically designed to help you learn the basics from cast-on to turning a heel, and knitting your first sweater. And we have dozens of other free blueprints […]
Golden Light | Tin Can Knits
November 29, 2018 @ 6:11 am
[…] created 11 Simple Collection patterns, specifically designed to help you learn the basics from cast-on to turning a heel, and knitting your first sweater. And we have dozens of other free patterns too, […]
February 10, 2018 @ 4:16 pm
First time knitting a top down garment (Lush) and I’m wondering what technique you use for the underarm cast on when separating sleeves from the body? Thanks.
February 10, 2018 @ 10:18 pm
Hi Wendy – we used a backwards loop cast on
PODCAST DESMADEJADA. EPISODIO 18. SPOILERS - Desmadejada
November 25, 2017 @ 11:48 am
[…] Tin can Knits: la bailarina AQUÍ […]
October 3, 2017 @ 5:41 pm
Would a leftie just mirror this? I’m kinda ambidextrous, but I already crochet left-handed. Thanks!
October 3, 2017 @ 8:27 pm
Hi Jen – I find knitting to be a 2 handed process (like playing the piano), so I wouldn’t change a thing. You might just want to try holding your yarn in your left hand, as opposed to your right, but lots of righties do that too
September 18, 2017 @ 8:50 am
I just started the Easy Peasy hat pattern and have finished both ear flaps. I’m not sure how to cast on at this point since I already have stitches on my circular needle.
September 20, 2017 @ 11:52 am
Hi Jackie – try this one: https://blog.tincanknits.com/2013/12/24/backwards-loop-cast-on/
March 20, 2017 @ 7:20 am
Very helpful, thanks !
Wee Cardi- Post 1A | Cream City Yarn
March 3, 2017 @ 11:28 am
[…] Click here for tutorial on Knitted Cast on […]
Strickinspiration: Einfach und Schön | Lockenfuchs
February 11, 2017 @ 4:49 am
[…] über Socken bis zu Pullover und Cardigan. Zu jeder Anleitung gibt es weitere Tutorials, die von „Wie schlage ich Maschen an?“ bis zur magic-loop Methode für Socken alles notwendige erklären. Sämtliche Muster gibt es in […]
Sweater Techniques Series – Gramps Baby Cardigan – 3 / 6 : Top-Down Sweater Construction | Tin Can Knits
November 15, 2016 @ 2:10 pm
[…] For our size, 1-2 years this is 33 stitches. Never cast on before? You can find our cast on tutorial here. […]
July 15, 2016 @ 1:34 am
I have started the malt blanket–I used the knitted cast on that I learned just now–the long tail cast on is the only one I had been taught –wish me luck and thank you for offering this
August 6, 2016 @ 5:03 pm
Sherry are you using the same yarn to make the malt blanket? If so where did you purchase it?
How to Knit | Tin Can Knits
November 17, 2015 @ 10:57 am
[…] Before you can begin knitting, you must cast on. […]
One Row Buttonholes | Tin Can Knits
April 27, 2015 @ 6:00 am
[…] loop cast on but you could turn your work (so the wrong side is facing), cast on sts using a knitted cast on, then turn your work back (so the right side is […]
March 9, 2015 @ 12:18 pm
Hi, I want to knit a stocking stitch touque for wearing hunting jusy plain, I have made your Antler hat & your barley hat & find your sizing to be very accurate.I was wondering if I could use one of your free hat patterns that would give me best results using 4mm &5ml needes that would provide me the besr results for 22 in mans touque.Hope you can help me out.Many thanks.Rosie
April 2, 2015 @ 1:54 am
Hi Rosie – You can use the Barley hat pattern – it’s free: http://tincanknits.com/thesimplecollection.html
After the ribbed brim, if you simply knit every round, instead of working the garter stitch section, then you’ll have a simple stockinette stitch hat. Good luck! Emily
November 5, 2014 @ 6:18 pm
Where can I buy the yarn to make the baby blanket entitled Malt?
November 6, 2014 @ 11:29 pm
Sweet Fiber Yarns are available on her website http://www.sweetfiber.com
Free pattern Friday: Oats | espacetricot
August 30, 2013 @ 7:58 am
[…] written patterns, Tin Can Knits has made available a great selection of online tutorials (e.g. How to Cast On (video), How to Knit (video), How to Purl (video), How to Bind Off (Video), How to Knit Your First […]