How to CAST ON Knitting for Total Beginners, by Sheep & Stitch on YouTube. 8 min 18 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 18 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick chunky yarn and matching thick needles, around 8mm. Thick yarn is easier to grip and see, which helps when you are learning.
Pull about 20cm of yarn from the ball and tie a slip knot, leaving a short tail. Slide the loop onto one needle and pull the tail to snug it up.
Hold the needle with the slip knot in your left hand. Wrap the working yarn around your left thumb, then close your fingers around the yarn.
Slide the needle tip under the strand on the front of your thumb, from bottom to top. Keep the yarn fairly loose so the needle moves easily.
Swing the needle over the top strand and back down through the loop on your thumb. Let the loop slip off your thumb and pull the yarn gently to tighten the new stitch.
Repeat the wrap, slide and tighten for each stitch. Make the stitches even and not too tight, so the next row is easy to knit.
Count your stitches on the needle when you have enough for your pattern. For a beginner scarf, aim for around 20 stitches.
Start your first knit row, or watch the knit stitch and cast off videos in the same series to finish a simple scarf.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the stitches loose enough to slide on the needle, since tight cast on stitches are hard to knit into.
Use a slip knot first so the yarn stays on the needle and does not unravel.
Chunky yarn and 8mm needles are much easier for beginners than thin yarn.
Count your stitches before you start knitting so your scarf stays the same width.
Questions
Do I need to know how to knit before casting on?
No. Casting on is the first step, and the thumb method only needs a slip knot and a repeating wrap. You can learn it before you knit a single stitch.
What yarn and needles should a beginner use?
Chunky yarn with matching thick needles, such as 8mm, is easiest to grip and see. The video uses Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn and 8mm bamboo needles.
How many stitches should I cast on for a scarf?
It depends on your yarn and how wide you want the scarf. Around 20 stitches on chunky yarn makes a simple beginner scarf, but check your pattern if you have one.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
