Today, we’re discussing this simple and beginner-friendly knitted cast on.
In previous posts we discussed the stretchy long tail cast on, and a simple, but unstretchy simple cast-on. Both are easy and beginner-friendly. I have completely fallen in love with the long tail cast on. Previously, I couldn’t wrap my head around how to move my needles and yarn to get it to work, but I stuck it out and now I love it.
Now, I mention that because I’ve been knitting for over 20 years. What did I use as a cast on method before I forced myself to learn the long tail? Well, the knitted cast on, of course. It’s much more beginner friendly because it doesn’t require you to guess or figure out how much yarn you need as your long tail to make the cast on.
I will also mention that it’s somewhere in the middle of the previous 2 cast ons, as far as stretchiness goes. So, if you’re new to knitting or creating a project that doesn’t require stretch, or you want to be able to hold its stability, like slippers, mittens or a cowl, or even a knit toy, then this cast on is perfect.
For your information, I am using 4.5mm knitting needles and some Bernat Medium weight yarn.
Knitted Cast On
Begin with a slip knot. Slip the loop onto one of your needles. Tighten it down, and hold in your left hand. I like to hold the tail of my yarn along the left needle, held with my left pinkie.
Holding the needle with the loop on it, in your left hand. Insert your right (empty) needle, vertically, into the loop on the left needle. See the image at left.
Wrap the yarn, from the skein, around behind the tip of the vertical (right) needle, bringing it in between both needles. (See below)
I like to place my left index finger on the tip of the right needle, so I don’t drop the stitch moving the right needle back through.
Bring the tip of the right needle back though, keeping the yarn over top of it. You should now have a loop on the left needle, and a new loop on the right needle. You can pull up on the right needle, to loosen the new stitch, if you need to.
To finish, bring the left needle around the front of the leg of the loop on the right needle. Insert the left needle and slip the stitch onto the left needle from the right.
We now have 2 stitches. Repeat as many times as you need to cast on for your desired project.
You may also want to watch the below video which shows the above tutorial in action.
Our secret: I was supposed to post today, how to do an X decrease for the crown of a knit hat, but I messed it all up. 🙁 Anyway, look for that in 2 weeks instead. I also have a HUGE month of August coming up, and an even bigger September planned. Consider subscribing to our email list and I will update you first of our plans!
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today!
Much Love,
