The long tail cast on is a great all-purpose cast on. It's stretchy and has a neat knitted edge. Because it's generally good for all knitting projects, use the long tail cast on as your default cast on. It won't fail you. But it can be a bit tricky to do at first. So, follow the video tutorial and take it slow: clamp down, make a diamond, touch your thumb. (These terms only make sense after ... keep reading >>
Cast On
How to Cast On for Total Beginners
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 ... keep reading >>
How to do the German Twisted Cast On
The German twisted cast on is perfect for the brims of hats, tops of socks and cuffs of mittens. It's a flexible stretchy cast on that's very similar to the longtail cast on. An extra twist in this cast on is what gives the edge more strength and durability. Eagle-eyed knitters will notice that the German twisted cast on looks a bit different than the longtail cast on. It has a ... keep reading >>
Alternating Cable Cast On for Ribbing
The alternating cable cast on is a beautiful invisible cast on that looks great with ribbing. The edges of the cast on elegantly merge right into the knits and purls, giving the illusion of no cast on at all. The alternating cable cast on is also quite stretchy, making it nicely suited for ribbing. In fact, I sometimes refer to it as my “ribbing cast on”! While this cast on is more ... keep reading >>
How to Tie a Slip Knot for Knitting
Before you can knit or crochet, you'll need to make a slip knot. It's the starting point for everything to come. Learn how to tie a slipknot, and you've got step one covered. Every knitting and crochet project begins with the slip knot. This little knot is like an anchor for your cast on or crochet chain. It can even be used to start a bracelet! In knitting, the slip knot counts as the first ... keep reading >>