How to cast on
Casting on is the first step of any knitting project; it creates the starting row of stitches on your needle. The most popular all-purpose method is the long-tail cast on, which gives a neat, slightly stretchy edge.
By Sofia AkramiKnyt Co-founder and editor
Before you start: the slip knot
Almost every cast on begins with a slip knot, which forms your very first stitch:
- Make a loop with the yarn, leaving a tail.
- Reach through the loop and pull the working yarn through to make a second loop.
- Slide it onto your needle and gently pull both ends to snug it up, not too tight.
That slip knot counts as stitch number one.
The long-tail cast on (recommended for beginners)
The long-tail cast on uses both the tail and the working yarn at once. Leave a tail roughly three times the width of your finished cast-on edge, plus an extra 15 cm (6 in) for safety (a rough rule: about 2.5 cm / 1 inch of tail per stitch for worsted yarn).
- Make a slip knot and place it on your right needle, tail toward you.
- Hold both strands in your left hand; tail over your thumb, working yarn over your index finger, and pinch them in your palm. This makes a "slingshot" shape.
- Bring the needle up under the loop on your thumb.
- Take it over and under the strand on your index finger.
- Bring that strand back down through the thumb loop.
- Slip your thumb out and gently tighten. You've made a stitch.
- Repeat steps 3–6 until you have the number of stitches your pattern asks for.
(Visual needed: step photos or a short looping GIF )
Counting tip: include the slip knot as your first stitch. If a pattern says "CO 20," you'll have 20 loops on the needle including the slip knot.
Other cast-on methods, and when to use them
You don't need these yet, but here's what each is for so you can choose later:
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Long tail | Everyday all-rounder; neat and a little stretchy. |
| Cable cast on | A firm, defined edge; easy to add stitches mid-row. |
| Stretchy (e.g. German twisted) | Cuffs, sock tops, anything that needs to stretch. |
| Provisional | When you'll come back and knit from the cast-on edge later. |
| Italian / tubular | A professional, rounded edge for 1×1 ribbing. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest cast on for beginners?
The long-tail cast on is the most-recommended starting method; it's quick, gives a tidy stretchy edge, and is used in the majority of patterns. Some find the "knitted cast on" marginally simpler to grasp first, then switch to long-tail.
How long should the tail be for a long-tail cast on?
Leave about three times the width of your cast-on edge plus an extra 15 cm (6 in) — roughly 2.5 cm (1 inch) of tail per stitch in worsted weight. If you run out, you've simply estimated short; unravel and start with a longer tail.
Does the slip knot count as a stitch?
Yes — the slip knot is your first cast-on stitch. Count it when matching the number your pattern requires.
Why does my cast on keep coming out too tight?
Beginners often pull each stitch tight against the needle. Keep the stitches loose enough to slide, or cast on over two needles held together, then slip one out.
What's the difference between casting on and casting off?
Casting on adds the first stitches at the start; casting off (binding off, in US terms) secures and removes them at the end. → How to bind off
Co-founder and editor of Knyt. Avid knitter!
