Knitting Cast On Methods

Knitting Cast on Methods  by Janice Jones 

Before you can begin that first project you need to know how to get some stitches on your needles, also called cast on or casting on.  

There are so many different ways to cast on that an entire book has been written describing some of them.  Leslie Ann Bestor, in her book, Cast On, Bind Off, has provided tutorials on more cast on methods than you'll likely need in a lifetime.

In this article, I am going to cover some of the most basic ones.  Try a few and see which ones you like the best.

Cast on Knitting Stitches

1. Backwards Loop Cast On
2. Long-Tail Cast On, Sling Shot Method
3. Long Tail Cast on Thumb method
4. Knitted-On
5. Cable Cast-On

Backward Loop Cast On

This is the easiest, but not necessarily the best cast on for a foundation row as it creates a less than sturdy beginning row.  

This method involves creating a series of loops on the needle by wrapping the yarn around your thumb or finger and sliding it onto the needle. Each stitch is created individually.

Advantages:

• One of the easiest methods to learn and remember
• Can be done rapidly once mastered
• No yarn estimation needed: You use yarn directly from the ball.
• Creates a very stretchy edge
• Suitable for all types of yarn

Disadvantages:

• The cast-on edge tends to be quite loose and may not hold its shape well
• The loose stitches can be challenging to knit into for the first row
• It's hard to maintain even tension across all stitches.
• The edge often looks uneven and less polished than other methods
• Not ideal for edges that need to bear weight or resist stretching

Best for:

• Adding stitches mid-project
• Good for absolute beginners to understand the concept of casting on.
• Temporary cast on: Useful when you need a provisional edge that will be removed later.
• Quick swatches: When you need to cast on quickly for a gauge swatch.
• Projects requiring a very stretchy edge: Can be useful for certain parts of garments where extreme stretch is needed.

Step One

Leaving a six inch tail, make a slip knot and place it on the needle.

Step Two

Make a loop of the working yarn with your left thumb.

Step Three

Slip the loop of yarn onto your needle, remove your thumb and pull gently to tighten the stitch.  Repeat until you have the correct number of stitches.

Long-tail Cast-on or Sling Shot Method

This is an easy cast-on method for beginners.  It uses one needle and a double strand of yarn.  You might see this method referred to as the slingshot method because it looks like you are holding the yarn like a slingshot.  

It's also called the long-tail method because you need to pull out a length of yarn before you begin.   

Advantages:

• It works well for many different types of projects.
• Creates a clean, professional-looking edge that's both sturdy and elastic.
• Easier to maintain even tension compared to some other methods.
• Once mastered, it can be a quick method to cast on stitches.
• The cast on creates both the foundation and the first row of knitting.

Disadvantages:

• It can be tricky to estimate how much yarn to leave for the long tail, which may result in running out of yarn or having excess.
• It can be challenging for beginners to master the hand movements.
• If not done carefully, it can create a tight edge that's difficult to work into for the first row.
• Can be challenging with very slippery or fuzzy yarns.

Best For: 

• Particularly good for projects that start with ribbing, like sweaters or socks.
• Great for cuffs, necklines, and waistbands that require elasticity.
• Can be used to incorporate two colors from the start of a project.
• Suitable for most knitting projects, from scarves to blankets.
• The method creates a durable edge, good for frequently used items.

How much yarn do you need for the long tail cast on?

There are several ways to do this.

1. To estimate how much yarn you will need to pull out, measure out about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per cast-on stitch for worsted weight yarn. For thinner yarns, you'll need a little less, and for chunkier yarns, you'll need a little more. 
   
   
2. You can also cast on about 10 stitches and then rip them out noting how much yarn you needed for the tail.  Multiple that length by the number of stitches you plan to cast on.
   
   
3. Start at the very end of the yarn and begin wrapping the yarn around the needle, one wrap per stitch.  So if you need to cast on 20 stitches, make 10 wraps.  Remove the wraps from the needle and then double that length for 20 stitches.  Give yourself a little more yarn and then make your slip knot at the end of the wraps.

Step 1:  Measure Out the Amount of Yarn to Use

Pull out a length of yarn you need for the number of stitches to cast on.  

Step 2: Slip Knot and Position Yarn

Make a slip knot and slide it onto your needle.  Give a little tug to tighten but not too tight.  This is the first stitch.

Hold the needle in your right hand. With your left hand, grab both the tail and the working yarn in the palm of your hand.  Use three fingers to hold this yarn in place.  Using your thumb and index finger, spread the center apart, so it looks like you will use a slingshot.

Step 3: Cast on Stitches

Using the tip of your needle, grab the loop of yarn you are holding with your thumb.  Move the needle's point over and around the strand of yarn held by your index finger.  Bring the needle's point through the loop and tighten.  You should have a stitch on your needle.

Step 4: Repeat Until You Have The Number of Stitches Needed.

Repeat for as many stitches that you need.

How Does Your Cast On Look?

You should follow your pattern, but if you are working in a stockinette stitch pattern, you have choices.

You can either knit the first row or purl the first row.  The right side of your fabric will look different.

Thumb Method Cast On

This is a variation of the Long-Tail cast on and it may be easier for some people (including me).  Rather than holding and tensioning your yarn in a sling-shot position, you use your thumb, or index finger to place stitches on the needle.

Advantages:

• May be easier to manage for the beginner than the slingshot method
• All advantages of the long-tail cast-on slingshot method are also advantages for this method

Disadvantages:

• The same disadvantages of the slingshot method are also relevant for this method.

Best For:

• Please see the best for section for the long tail slingshot method.  They are identical.

Step One

Make a slip knot and place on your needle.  This is the first stitch.

Step Two

Hold the needle and working yarn in your right hand or anchor the needle between your knees.  Wrap the tail end of the yarn counterclockwise around your left thumb and place the loop on the needle but leave your thumb in place.

Step Three

Using your right index finger and thumb, wrap the working yarn around the needle.

Step Four

Pass the loop of yarn on your left thumb over the needle tip and off the needle.  Pull the strand to tighten the stitch.  Don't pull too tight.

Knitted Cast-On

The knit-on method uses both needles and one length of yarn.  There is no need to measure a long tail of yarn, but still begin with about a five to six-inch tail.  This is another beginner method because it uses the basic knit stitch. 

Advantages:

• Easy to learn
• Goodfor beginners
• Doesn't require estimating yarn

Disadvantages:

• Less stretchy than long-tail
• Not ideal for tight edges

Best for:

• Projects that are not tightly bound
• Adding stitches mid-project

Step One:  Knitted Cast-on

Make a slip knot. Slip the slip knot onto the left needle.   

Step 2:  Knitted Cast-on

Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch on the left needle as if to knit. 

Step 3:  Knitted Cast-on

Wrap the yarn around the right needle, and pull through, but don't drop the stitch from the left needle.  

Step 4:  Knitted Cast-on

Slip the new stitch from the right needle to the left needle. Tug a little to tighten.  

Step 5:  Knitted Cast-on

Continue doing this until you have the number of stitches required.

Cable Cast-On

This is another beginner-friendly cast-on and is very similar to the Knitting Cast-on.  This method is also used when additional stitches are needed at the end of a row or making buttonholes. 

Notice that the first four steps are similar to the knit-on method, but once you have two stitches on your left-hand needle, the method changes slightly.

Advantages:

• Decorative edge
• Sturdy
• Ideal for buttonholes or areas needing extra strength

Disadvantages:

• Less elastic than some methods
• Can be slower

Best for:

• Buttonholes
• Edges that need to hold their shape
• Decorative borders

Step 1:  Cable Cast-on

Make a slip knot. Slip the slip knot onto the left needle.   

Step 2:  Cable Cast-on

Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch on the left needle as if to knit. 

Step 3:  Cable Cast-on

Wrap the yarn around the right needle, and pull through, but don't drop the stitch from the left needle.  

Step 4:  Cable Cast-on

Slip the new stitch from the right needle to the left needle. Tug a little to tighten.  

Step 5:  Cable Cast-on

Insert the needle into the space between the first two stitches.  Wrap the yarn as if to knit and pull the stitch through but do not slip any stitches off the needle.

Step 6:  Cable Cast-on

Bring the new stitch up and slide it onto the left-hand needle.  Repeat the process by inserting the needle between the last two stitches until you have made the required number of stitches.

Last Words

There are other ways to cast on, but these seem to be the easiest for beginners to master quickly.  You can use these methods on just about any easy project you choose.

Disclosure:   This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from one of these links I will get a small  commission.

Hi, there, I'm Janice, the voice behind this website and avid knitter and crochet enthusiast. I want to share my passion with you and help you learn how to knit or crochet, smarter.

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