Knit Instructions - How to Cast On
I’m on my way! I used knit instructions found in the books Stitch ‘n Bitch and Getting Started Knitting and taught myself how to cast on. I also watched a great tutorial video at knittinghelp.com which gave me a tip on how to cast on without doing a slip knot (which seems to make your first stitch less lumpy.
How to Cast On - Video
Here is a video I made showing the technique I learned. I thought it would be fun for you to see me learning and maybe help someone else learn as well. And yes I’m in my pajamas, I do my knitting practice late at night when the kiddos are in bed.
Knit Instructions - with photos
In case it is easier for you to follow along with pictures, I photographed the casting on process as well:
Step 1: Measure out approximately three times the width of your project and hold the yarn at the point forming an upside-down “U” with the short end towards you.
Step 2: Slide your thumb and index finger between the two yarn ends and grasp the tails with your bottom fingers.
Step 3: Slide the knitting needle underneath the yarn and hold tight with your right hand index finger.
Step 4: Pull the yarn down leaving a loop by your thumb and a loop by your index finger.
Step 5: Bring the needle up through the inside of the loop on your thumb.
Step 6: Bring the needle down through the inside of the loop on your index finger.
Step 7: Pull the needle (with the new yarn loop on it) back through the loop on your thumb, going back out the way you came in.
Step 8: Slide your left thumb out of the loop.
Step 9: Pull the yarn end taut with your left thumb (not TOO tight though).
Step 10: Repeat for the # of stitches you need for your easy knitting project. Make sure you leave the cast-on stitches loose or you will have a hard time knitting the first row.
Tags: Easy Knitting, how to cast on, Knit Instructions
August 28th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Wow, this is an incredible post. I think that anyone could learn to knit with these easy knitting instructions and video. You certainly do make it look easy!
August 28th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
ok, here’s a fun link - a knitting personality test!
http://www.knittingbrain.com/personality.php
August 28th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Ok I took the bait and did the quiz. Here are my results:
“The Logical Knitter”
You approach knitting logically and methodically. You’ll enjoy reading knitting reference books and find satisfaction in using the best knitting techniques. You like to understand the logic behind how things work. You strive for perfection in your finished knitting.
Sounds like me (and not just in knitting). Thanks for the link!
October 17th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
This may a bit late, but I’ve got to leave a comment anyway!
Jodi, you’ve just saved my sanity! I first learned the (very basic) basics of knitting when I was about 10 — over 20 years ago — and recently decided to give it another go. But in spite of the illustrated instructions in the simple ste- by-step I found at the library, casting on completely defeated me. I tried and tried again, following every detail to the letter, but the thing unravelled each time I knit my first row. I was seriously starting to doubt my intelligence at that point…
There are many internet sites that explain various methods, but yours was the only one that worked for me (once I calmed down, stopped tearing my hair out and took a deep breath). Thank you for explaining it all very simply and even making it FUN! (BTW, love the pajamas!)