How to cast on knitting - 10 methods from easy to advanced [+tips, tricks & many variations]

A step-by-step tutorial on how to cast on knitting stitches no matter your project. Important tips, tricks, variations, plus pros and cons.

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With this tutorial, I wanted to create a resource that compares all the major cast-on methods in knitting and puts it into perspective. How stretchy are they, how do they look, what projects can you use them, and of course how do you cast on stitches with the various methods. Because this tutorial is already quite long, there was not too much time to go slow, so kindly check out the tutorials on my blog for further details:

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to casting on knitting
1:07 The single cast-on
8:42 The knitted cast-on
12:46 The longtail cast-on
20:02 The Italian cast-on
25:59 The provisional cast-on
32:24 The cable cast-on
33:56 The Turkish cast-on
36:48 Judy's magic cast-on
40:15 The I-cord cast-on
44:46 The picot cast-on

[NimbleNeedles]

Believe it or not, but the first cast-on i learned was the longtail cast-on and it's still my favorite and go to method.
It has short & crisp slow-motion videos for almost all important knitting techniques.

[tatyanaviznyak]

Until recently, I thought there was only one cast-on method, the longtail cast-on, as that's the one my mother taught me. It's amazing how many there are. Thank you for the tutorial! I love how simple you make everything sound, no unnecessary complications. I'm sure I'll reference this one often in the future.

[merkinidgit]

My grandmother taught me over 50 years ago—she did a series of slip knots to cast on. Even she complained about how tedious it was but never let on there were better ways, so I’m sure she was unaware. I think back to my childhood and regret not knitting more only because I hated the casting on! Now I mostly do longtail—a real game-changer!

[zumschnoor]

Absolute best cast-on tutorial I've ever seen. Concise, efficient, no waffle, and somehow managed to thoroughly show 10 methods in about the time other tutorials show 1 or 2! Thank you!

[tracyvision]

I suspect I’ll be revisiting this video often - what a treasure trove of information! I love how you break down and simplify things Norman, you’re a gifted teacher. I’m a new knitter and first learned the Long Tail Cast On but I never use it. I don’t like the long tail, I usually end up wasting yarn so that I don’t run short, and I just don’t like the way it looks, on ribbing projects especially. One of my go-to’s is the Crochet Cast On. I was a first a crocheter so I find it very familiar to reach for a hook and start casting on, but I also like that I don’t need a long tail, and it makes a pretty edge. I like the German Twisted Cast On for ribbing but you just taught me the tubular cast on - which I know now is based on the Italian Cast On - and I LOVE it!

[trumpetmom]

My mother taught me the knit cast on and I never used anything else. I had heard and seen in my knitting books other techniques, especially the single cast on, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it without a live demonstration & explaination to follow. I am hoping to teach a beginner knitting elective to 7th and 8th graders next semester where I teach, so I came here to learn at least one other cast on method. Now I can teach the students both single and knit cast on, so they will have a stretchy and a solid technique to use. And now I do too! Thank you! 😊

[helanesteinmuller]

I am a half German half Scottish Australian. I learned continental knitting from a German cousin when l was about 5, (62 years ago) but she always cast on for me. A Scottish cousin taught me the English method of knitting and the cable method of casting on soon after, but with twisting the new stitch as I put it on the needle. I’ve tried various other methods for various projects and will try some new ones from your wonderful video; but generally l cast on cable in English and knit the rest in German. 😂

[Midnitescarlett]

I was 4 or 5 when I started learning how to knit and crochet (I am 47 now). My Nana taught me the long tail cast on, but a much simpler method. Now I use the slingshot method without a long tail, and sometimes the one with two needles. I first learned English knitting, bur while checking out all the knitting tutorials I could find, I followed you, Norman, to learn continental. It is way easier and faster, especially for anyone with issues with their hands/fingers. I find it to be closer to the way I would crochet using my left hand for the tension and holding the yarn. I love the way you make these so easy.

I am also really happy that knitting qnd crocheting have not become lost art forms. It is very encouraging to see so many people of different ages doing these tutorials! Thank you for all the work you put in to this amazing series.

[swedishjazz]

I actually let out a surprised "ooh~" out loud when you showed the knitted cast-on. Every one of your videos I've seen feels like an entire class' worth of knowledge!

My first cast-on, and the one I've been using all my lif, e is long-tail - I learned it at school when I was 7, and I didn't even know there were other cast-ons until I seriously got back into knitting about five years ago. I've had to rip out my starting stitches because of miscalculating how much of a tail I need more times than I care to count, but on the other hand, my muscle memory for it is unparalelled.

[TheSuzberry]

I learned the knitted cast on first. That way I didn’t have something to learn that I only used once in a project and I didn’t have to calculate a ‘long tail’. My favorite cast on is the Chinese Waitress cast on, it gives you a cast on that looks crocheted on both sides. There is no wrong side, so it works for patterns that start with a right side as well as a wrong side.

[heathergutman]

You do an excellent job of explaining how to do things. I've been knitting for more than 60 years and learned several new techniques from this video. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
My grandmother taught me the long-tail cast on and that's the one I've been using most of my life. Now I have some "new" methods to try.

[spookynoctua]

I never knew that how you casted on was important for the basis of the next row of stitches! I've been knitting for almost a year now and I've always used single cast on or German twisted cast on for stretchy knits. Just goes to show you learn something new every day :) Thank you for another wonderful tutorial, Norman!

[bsfbar]

I used the German cast on the most for years until recently I bought several of Kutovakika Finish pattern and she used all Single cast on.. You are right the first row is a little difficult to start. You are the very best teacher on line . What Admired you the most is how even your finishes products almost like a machine knits.

[migueldesoledad]

The single cast-on was my first and then I learned (as you have shown) that every cast-on has its own characteristic (i.e. firm or stretchy); so, now I am able to carefully choose the cast-on perfect for each project.

I LOVE the provisional cast-on which is currently my new favorite. I tend to 'design on the needle' as I knit along and so being able to grow the work from both ends is appealing to me and magical! And the picot cast-on using the provisional yarn is such a beautiful effect...again, like magic!

I will come back to this vlog again and again...what a great resource it is...thank you, thank you!

[patElfpat]

I learned the long tailed cast on. I still use it for almost everything. I often run out of tail yarn and need to start all over again. I knew there were substitutes but I haven’t used them much. When
I teach kids to knit I teach them the e cast on with the thumb. I hope this is the right name. It gives them an easier start than the long tail. I also teach them my first rule of knitting ( math, spelling, reading, playing a musical instrument and just about anything else) “Don’t say anything about yourself you wouldn’t say to your best friend.” It works for grownups too except adults are used to saying things inside their heads.

[carolbarakat]

My mum taught me the knitted cast-on when I was small. Around 50 years later, I started knitting again using the thumb cast-on method, as all the other methods seemed so complicated. Your wonderful video has de-mystified the cast-on techniques, and I'll definitely be using it to help me start using some different methods.

[ritab]

I learned to cast on by wrapping yarn around left thumb, inserting needle
throwing yarn around it. This was about 55 years ago. Things have improved!

[emmeline]

I just started seriously knitting after trying to learn and giving up several times, and your videos are so helpful and easy to understand! Definitely the best channel I’ve stumbled upon, thank you for making these tutorials :)

[aliekremyesilkanal]

This is wonderful Norman! You know what would also be wonderful? If you did an Ultimate Guide version of all the "cast off" methods that you know :) I usually struggle to figure out what cast off to do for a stiff bind off vs. stretchy one, how to bind off brioche knitting or double knitting? I know you already have a series of individual videos for this, but a single video that we can go to everytime (like this one) would be amazing :)

[MariaTamaria]

I started with long-tail cast on and had been using it for decades, until I learned to crochet. Then I found a cast on using a crochet needle, loved the simplicity and am now using it for all projects, unless the pattern requires something else. Thank you for your videos, I've learned so much from you 🌻