Casting On

Casting on is the way you get your yarn on your knitting needle to start knitting. There are many methods of casting on. This one, sometimes called slingshot, is one of the most common.

There's a a quick MOVIE at the end of this lesson showing all of these steps described here.

Before casting on you must measure out a length of yarn. A good rule of thumb is to measure out 3 times the width of your project. Once you figure out where this point is, hold it between your thumb and forefinger.

You don't need to be scientific with this measurement. Just guess. Having extra length is fine. Too little will mean you have to start over, though, so err on the long side.

At the point you are holding between your thumb and forefinger, make a slip knot. An example of a loose slip knot is in the picture below.

Slip one of your knitting needles through the slip knot. Tighten the slip knot around the needle (not too tight).

Hold the needle in one hand. There should be two strands of yarn dangling off of it. Take hold of those with your other hand as shown in the picture below.

Now you are ready to start casting stitches on to your needle. This is the tricky part.

Continue holding the yarn with one hand. With the other hand pull the needle down towards you. Take the point of your needle and lift the piece of yarn wrapped around the outside of your thumb. Pull it up over the yarn on the inside of your thumb and across the yarn wrapped around your finger.

Now with the point of your needle pick up the piece of yarn on your forefinger and pull it through the loop you just formed.

Slip your thumb and forefinger out and pull the yarn tight on the needle. Don't do this too tight though; leave a little room between the stitches. Congratulations, you've just cast on your first stitch.

Repeat this process until you have as many stitches on your needle as your project requires.