How to Cast on In Knitting, Quick and Easy

What is casting on in knitting? It's essentially the opposite of binding off; casting on adds new stitches with an independent lower edge. The new stitches don't depend on earlier ones. So, if your knitting pattern calls for casting on, you should know how to do it right!

Though it may seem complicated, in reality, cast on knitting isn't that hard. All you need is a good guide! So we've put together a handy step-by-step guide for you, complete with product recommendations for your next big knitting project. After all, if you're going to become a master of knitting, practice makes perfect!

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Keep scrolling to find all the instructions you'll need for this simple knitting technique, and best of luck on your future projects.

We hope you find these handy products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: we participate in affiliate programs, and may receive a share of sales from links on this page.

Let’s create a cast on.

Cinch a slip knot onto your knitting needle, but make sure it’s not too tight! This is your first stitch. 

Need some good needles?

Check out this set of bamboo knitting needles from Amazon, with a huge variety in sizes for pretty much any type of knitting project you could want to start.

Stainless steel needles work great, too.

They’re lightweight and smooth, easy to use, and there’s no way any yarn will snag or catch anywhere along the needle.

Now, for the rest of the cast on.

Keeping your working needle in your left hand, push the empty needle into the first stitch as if you’re knitting that stitch. Then, wrap the yarn around the needle like you’re going to knit—counter-clockwise over the top of the right knitting needle.

Then, do the following:

Keep the stitch onto the needle and knit into it, pulling the loop up and towards you without slipping it off the needle. If you need to give it a little length, that’s fine (you’ll cinch it in a bit).

Next step!

Twist the loop to the right and insert your left needle into the loop from front to back. Basically, you’re taking your left needle point through the loop on the right needle. Simple enough!

Here’s the final step.

Now you can drop the loop from the right needle. It’s safely on the left needle now, so you can begin to cinch it closed. Just don’t make the stitches too tight! From there, you can repeat the above steps until you’ve got all the stitches you need.

Need some supplies?

Then you might want to grab yourself a variety pack of acrylic yarn; it’s got pretty much every color imaginable and even comes with two crochet hooks!

Want some project ideas?

Here’s a book with 50 hand-knit designs inside, with instructions on how to create each texture stitch by stitch.

Want to make some stuffed animals?

You can! These patterns allow you to craft an absolutely adorable assortment of animals, clothes and accessories included!