Knitting cast on for beginners - Thee Art in Me cast on

The best knitting cast on – This cast on will get you far

There are sooo many ways to get your yarn on the needles! You name it, I think that it has been done, and I am sure that there are a few genius people who could come up with just one more way. But out of all those ways the method I use 98% of the time is the long-tail cast on. That’s why it is the Best knitting cast on for beginners.

It is a sturdy, functional, and versatile cast on; Sturdy, because it puts about a half of a row under your needle to stabilize your work (making it easier to start knitting -unlike the cast on that is a series of half-hitches), Functional, because it works well for a huge variety of projects, Versatile, because it matches well with many stitch patterns, ei. rib, straight knit, I even have used it for lace projects. So honestly unless the pattern calls for a certain cast on this can be your go-to.

Learn the best cast on first

This can seem a little tricky at first but you can do it. Let’s walk through it together. It is named long- tail cast on, because you are going to use a tail. Lol I know master of the obvious. But this is what you will carry though to make that stabilizing row I was telling you about. So how long is the guess that we are all trying to master. For the circular scarf that we are doing (if you have used the yarn and needles size that I talked about in Learning to knit) you are going to measure your yarn tail as 3 x ‘s the length of your needles, or three times the length of your knitting project. When you have that point we can begin the Cast On (CO- is the pattern abbreviation).

Disclaimer – I am not left handed, but hear me out. Knitting is done with both hands, and I feel a lot of the times my left hand is doing most of the work. Eventually I will be teaching you how to knit and purl with both hands so there is the possibility of Faire Isle knitting. This is an amazing form of art and you will be a better knitter for learning both ways. You can do it stick with me! While we knit let’s be ambidextrous!

As a little insight for your beginning knit cast on –

Before you get started I strongly suggest to keep your yarn loose around your needles. If you heed my warning about keeping your loops loose it will make your first knit row much easier to do. More experience will also give you a more consistent tension. The feeling of your first knit project will have you thinking that, I don’t remember anything about what it was like to learn, Oh but I do. You will feel like Ten thumbs and a tight control is what you will be trying to combat. Don’t worry it gets easier. These are your goals! Continually remind yourself that there is a constant readjustment of both yarns. Your last three fingers will always be playing push-me-pull-you with the yarn as you manipulate the way it works though your fingers. This is the game and with a great yarn it is a great game.

Lets begin this knitting cast on together

Did you bring your best yarn to this tactile sport? You will be so thankful you are using the good stuff. ~Especially on your first project. Please don’t “wait till you Get good”. Trust me on this one, and I know you will thank me when you are wearing something scrumptious around your neck. That you did yourself first try. Maybe another disclaimer – Once you start I cannot guarantee you will be able to stop.

There will be NO tying knots in knitting!

Beginning to cast on in knitting is no exception.

1. Starting with your left hand (you see?) make the shape of a gun or the H in sign language. Your thumb and finger are extended out and the bottom three fingers are tucked into your palm. Place the yarn tail over your thumb, and the yarn ball will lay over your pointer finger. Bring both yarns together and hold them with your bottom 3 fingers (this will be your tension- which you will try and keep LOOSE all the time.) It should look like an upside down triangle.

2. Introducing your needle. There will be NO tying knots in knitting. Point the tip of your needle into the middle of your triangle. While loosely holding your yarn you can point the needle up and bring the yarn toward you. (let the yarn slip over your thumb and pointer finger)

Continue, with the end of your needle, point it to the left (at about 9:00) to the big knuckle of your thumb.

Not to put tooo fine of a point on it, but point…..

Here quite literally, with the end or your needle draw a line up the middle of the inside of your thumb till it gets to the top. Now you should feel a bit like cats in the cradle with a stick.

Now your needle is pointing straight up again. At this point I tend to bring my pointer finger up. Then draw with the end of my needle clockwise the outline of my finger, catching the yarn. As you can see I am also using my right pointer finger to hold these yarns on the needle so they don’t slide off.

Again, use the tip of the needle to touch the tip of your thumb and draw a line down the middle of the inside your thumb. Now bring your thumb closer to your finger between the middle two seems, this will release that loop. With the back of your thumb catch the yarn directly in front of you. Move your thumb closer to you to pull the loop loosely around the needle. YAYYY you have your first 2 stitches on your needle. But don’t be too disappointed you will only get one at a time after this.
Then Repeat till you run out of tail. Finally, You did it you have just Cast on!!!

I would love to see what you have done!! Please let me know how you did. Leave a picture or note in the comments. I am also happy to help in any way I can. If you would like a one on one lesson or better yet a lesson with a friend we can do that.

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