The Knitted Cast-On was the first CO that I successfully learned when I started knitting. It’s perfect for beginners, as the process mimics the act of knitting itself; each new stitch is knit from the stitch before.
Here’s a video to guide you through the process of how to cast on using the knitted cast-on.
The Knitted Cast-On, step-by-step
Step 1. Make a slipknot and place it on your left-hand needle. This is your first stitch.
Step 2. Using your right-hand needle, poke the tip into the slipknot as if to knit, wrap the yarn and pull through, as if to knit, and then place the new loop on the left needle. You’ve just created your second stitch.
Step 3. Using your right-hand needle, poke the tip into the new stitch as if to knit, wrap the yarn and pull through, as if to knit, and then place the new loop on the left needle. You’ve just created another stitch.
Repeat step 3 until you have all of the required stitches for your cast-on.
Poof. Done. That’s it!
About the Knitted Cast-On
The knitted cast-on is great for teaching to beginner knitters, especially those who are easily frustrated. (I’m raising my hand here!). I’ve seen new knitters give up quickly after being unable to recreate the cast-on they were taught (longtail, typically) in class or by a well-meaning friend. With the knitted CO, as long as they know how to make a slipknot and can remember the basics of a knit stitch, they’re good to go!
Full disclosure: I’ve been knitting for more than 25 years and have never voluntarily used the longtail cast-on, even after having been taught it repeatedly. This was before YouTube and Google, and I didn’t live close to a local yarn shop. My aunt taught me the knitted CO, and I was off and running!
The knitted cast-on is in the middle range of stretchiness – it has enough body that it won’t overstretch, and enough give to stretch with the stitches of a hat or the neck of a sweater. It creates an almost-invisible edge for stockinette (knit the right side and purl the wrong side when knitting back and forth) and garter stitch (knit on the right side and the wrong side when knitting back and forth).
Many patterns don’t require a specific cast-on, but rather allow you to defer to your own preference. The knitted cast-on is good to have in your yarn bag of techniques for situations like this, when you’re left to fend for yourself.
Thanks so much for reading!
xo
Melissa
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Have you ever used the knitted cast-on?
What is your go-to cast-on when a pattern isn’t specific?
5 Comments. Leave new
The ONLY cast on I have ever is the knitted cast on, the only one I have ever taught, in over 60 + years of teaching knitting. Thank you for finally covering Nevada, as a native of that state, I look forward to seeing the ideas.
It’s so versatile, and underappreciated. As I wrote the blog, I realized that I should incorporate into my knitting more often. I’ve ventured into the cable and alternate cable COs and have gotten myself firmly planted there lately.
On knitted cast on, it was the first one I was taught all those many years ago (79 to be exact! Yes, I am a lifelong knitter and I love all knitters!); as soon as I learned the long tail, that became my favorite, especially when I learned that by using two balls of yarn I would never run out of yarn. But, maybe 25 years or so ago, I found the cable cast on and have used it extensively since. The crochet hook cast on is also a favorite, I like the nice edge it leaves–looks just like a cast off! Neat! Thanks for the memories of knitted cast on, I still use it when appropriate and am eternally grateful to the lovely lady who taught me that knitting on is just like knitting. Imagine that! Bless you all as you fit knitting into your busy lives—-at 87 I’m still going strong and I WILL finish the 5 sweaters and a throw by the end of summer. My Yarn Stash (always capitalize this) is slowly dwindling. Until next time–Gail Solomon
Thanks for this tutorial! I am new to knitting (the BEST thing that happened to me during the pandemic) and am constantly amazed at all the different ways to cast on!
What a beautiful thing to come out of such a challenging time! Welcome to the wonderful world of knitting!!💕