How do I cast on in knitting?

Casting on creates the very first row of stitches on your needle. The most common and beginner-friendly method is the Long Tail Cast On. Here is how to do it:

The Long Tail Cast On

1. Measure your yarn: Pull out a length of yarn from your ball (roughly three times the width of the piece you plan to knit). Make a slip knot at that point and place it onto one knitting needle. Tighten it gently—this counts as your first stitch.
2. Position your hands: Hold the needle in your right hand. With your left hand, drape the "tail" yarn over your thumb and the "ball" yarn over your index finger. Hold the ends of both yarns firmly in your palm with your remaining fingers.
3. The movement:
   • Bring the needle tip up through the loop on your thumb (from the bottom).
   • Catch the strand of yarn on your index finger with the needle tip.
   • Pull that index-finger yarn back through the thumb loop.
   • Drop the yarn off your thumb and tighten the new stitch onto the needle.
4. Repeat: Repeat these steps until you have the required number of stitches on your needle.

Easier Alternatives

If the Long Tail method feels tricky at first, you might try these:

• Knitted Cast On: You essentially "knit" each new stitch onto the needle. It is very intuitive if you already know how to perform a knit stitch.
• Cable Cast On: Similar to the Knitted Cast On, but you insert your needle between the last two stitches you created. It produces a very firm, tidy edge.
• Backward Loop (Thumb) Cast On: This is the simplest method, where you create loops with your thumb and place them onto the needle. It is fast but can result in a loose, stretchy edge, so it is often best for small projects.

If you are a visual learner, searching for "Long Tail Cast On tutorial" on a video platform is a great way to see the finger movements in real time. Take it slow—your tension will naturally even out with a little practice!