Casting On

The first step in any knitting project is to put a row of stitches on your needle that will act as a foundation for later stitches. This is called casting on.

Making a Slipknot

The first step of casting on is to make a slipknot that anchors the yarn to your needle.

1. Make a loop in which the tail end overlaps the ball end of the yarn.
2. With your right thumb and index finger, reach up from under the loop and then through the loop. Grab the ball end of the yarn and pull it back through the loop
3. With your left hand, pull the tail end gently until the yarn tightens into a knot. Stick your needle into this loop.
4. Pull both ends until the loop is snug (but not tight) around the needle

Double Cast On

You can cast on a few different ways. The method shown here is called the double cast on. It produces an attractive and sturdy edge that makes it easier to add rows after the first cast-on row. When you first start to double cast on, the movement may feel awkward, but a little practice will make it feel natural.

To double cast on, hold the needle in your right hand so that the two yarn ends (the tail end and ball end) are hanging down. Arrange the yarn so the tail end is on the left.

1. From behind, sneak your left thumb and index finger between the two ends of yarn, extending your fingers to keep the ends separate. The tail end should be over your thumb, and the ball end over your index finger.
2. Lower your needle and pick up the yarn that’s in front of your thumb from below
3. Turn your needle to the right and bring it in front of the yarn that’s over your left index finger. Then turn the needle back to the left—but this time bring your needle behind the yarn over your left index finger.
4. Continue moving the needle leftward through the loop of yarn on your left thumb.
5. Pull your thumb out of the loop and use that thumb to tighten the loop by pulling the tail end from underneath. The loop should be snug but not tight
6. Reposition your thumb and index finger as they were in step 1. You now have a new stitch on your needle and are ready to start over at step 2