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Knitting Library  >  Techniques

How to Cast On for Total Beginners

Published on December 17, 2018 By Davina | May contain affiliate links (whats this?)

In this post, I’ll show you how to cast on for beginners. There are many ways to cast on knitting, but this is my favourite.

It’s the long tail cast on using the thumb method, which is great for absolute beginner knitters.

The long tail cast on is the best all-purpose cast on: it’s stretchy, but not too stretchy; it’s firm yet flexible; it lays flat and looks pretty. What’s not to love? When in doubt, use the longtail cast on!

So, you’ve got needles and a ball of yarn. Cool! Now you want to knit something. That’s where the cast on comes in.

Cast On for Beginners Video Tutorial

 

Casting on is a way to turn loose yarn into stitches that sit nicely on a knitting needle. Once yarn is cast onto the needle in the form of stitches, those stitches can be knit.

Casting on is the first step in knitting. All you need is some yarn and needles.

So, what needles and yarn should you use?

I always recommend a chunky yarn and correspondingly thick needles for beginners because they’re much easier to grip.

In this tutorial, I’m using Lion Brand’s Hometown USA in color Fort Lauderdale Coral and 8mm bamboo needles (similar).

Watch the video up top for a full step-by-step tutorial or follow along with the photo guide below. Ready to start? Let’s do this!

Beginner Cast On Photo Guide

Leave a generous yarn tail & pinch yarn with both hands
Hold the yarn and bring the hands together to make a loop
Hold the loop that you have made in one hand
Grab the yarn that’s unattached to the ball & bring it behind the loop
Pull the strand of yarn through the loop
This little loop is called a slip knot. Your’re ready to cast on with it!
Place the slip knot on the needle and pull yarn tails to tighten it.
Grab the yarn tail that’s unattached to the ball and give a thumbs up
Swing the thumb behind the yarn
Hook the yarn onto your thumb. Keep a firm grip!
Touch the needle to the front of the thumb…
…and slide the needle into the loop on your thumb
Hold the needle & grab the yarn attached to the ball with right hand
Wrap the yarn around the needle, from the back to the front
Pull the yarn down so it meets the loop on the thumb
Pull the loop on your thumb over the needle.
Place the loop on the needle
Pull down the yarn tail to tighten the new stitch! Repeat steps 7-18

That’s all there is to the long tail cast on! If you’re a new knitter, watch the video up top a couple times to get the hang of the cast on. Then, use the photo guide as a refresher. If you’re having trouble making a slip knot, check out this tutorial on slip knots.

If you want to learn another method for the long tail cast on, check out the Long Tail Cast On (Traditional Method). This is how I typically cast on as it’s a bit faster. Check it out and see which one you like better!

Are You New to Knitting?

how to knit for beginners
I’ve made a detailed guide for new knitters! It covers the very basics: cast on, knit stitch and cast off. These three techniques are the backbone of knitting. Master them, and you’re officially a knitter. Check out the guide by clicking the image above!

yarn being cast onto needle

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Category: Techniques / Subcategory: Cast On

You May Also Like:

alternating cable cast on for ribAlternating Cable Cast On for RibbingGerman Twisted Cast On Stretchy Cast OnHow to do the German Twisted Cast Onlong tail cast on for beginners traditionalLong Tail Cast On for Beginners (Traditional Method)

Reader Interactions

Comments 3

  1. Chris says

    January 21, 2021 at 8:15 am

    Thank you for teaching me, at 65 years young how to do the long tail cast on ! Your tutorial is so easy to follow. Never too old to start something new. Love from Chris in Cyprus Xxx
    Congrats on your wonderful new President!

    Reply
  2. Carys says

    February 24, 2022 at 3:26 pm

    Thank you so much. I have recently joined a knit and knatter group. Everyone is lovely and I want to be able to start the beginnings at least. This tutorial has done that. Thank you a much. Love the video very patient and fun. Cheers x

    Reply
  3. Carys says

    February 24, 2022 at 3:28 pm

    Thank you so much. I love the tone of the tutorial.

    Reply

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