Knitting Cast On: 3 Simple Methods to Get You Started
Casting on is the very first step in any knitting project — and often the one that feels the most unfamiliar. It's also the least practiced. For all the knitting in your project, you only cast on once.
If you’re new to knitting, it can feel a bit awkward. You’re holding the yarn in a new way, trying to form stitches that don’t quite make sense yet, and it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing it “right”.
The good news is: there isn’t just one way to cast on.
Different methods suit different people and projects, and finding one that feels comfortable in your hands makes a big difference.
In this guide, I’ll walk through three simple cast on methods (including my favourite) along with practical tips to help you get started with confidence.
What Is Casting On?
Casting on is how you create the first row of stitches on your needle.
These stitches form the foundation of your knitting and giving you something to work into for your first row.
Everything else builds from here.
And while it might feel like a big step at the beginning, it’s really just a starting point — it doesn’t need to be perfect.
Three Cast On Methods to Know
There are many different ways to cast on, but you only need a few to get started.
Here are three of the most useful methods for beginners:
Knitted Cast On
This is often the easiest method to start with.
It uses a movement very similar to the knit stitch, which makes it feel more natural when you’re learning.
Cable Cast On
This builds on the knitted cast on and creates a slightly firmer, neater edge.
It still feels quite similar in movement, so it’s a good next step once you’re comfortable.
Long Tail Cast On
This is one of the most commonly used methods.
It creates a neat, flexible edge and becomes very quick once you get used to it — but it can feel a little awkward at first.
Which One Should You Start With?
If you’re completely new to knitting, it helps to start with the method that feels most natural in your hands.
A simple way to approach it:
- Start with the knitted cast on → it uses the same motion as the knit stitch, so it often feels the easiest to understand
- Move to the cable cast on → very similar, but creates a slightly firmer, neater edge
- Then try the long tail cast on → a bit less intuitive at first, but much quicker once it clicks
Personally, I use long tail most of the time now, but I didn’t start there. The knitted cast on is often the one that helps everything make sense in the beginning.
If one method feels awkward, it’s absolutely fine to switch.
How to Work the Knitted Cast On
This is a good place to begin because it mirrors the knit stitch.
Step-by-step
- Slip Knot: Make a slip knot and place it on your left needle.
- Insert: Insert your right needle into that stitch from left to right (as if to knit). Your right needle will sit to the back and look like they are crossed.
- Wrap: Wrap the yarn counter-clockwise around the right needle.
- Pull Through: Use the right needle tip to pull that wrap through, creating a new loop.
- Transfer: Pull the new loop out a little to give it some slack. With the needle tips facing, place it onto the left needle by inserting the needle tip into the loop from the front.
- Repeat: To add the next stitch, you don't use the slip knot anymore. You insert your right needle into the newest stitch you just placed on the left needle and repeat the process until you have the number of stitches you need.
Video Tutorial: Knitted Cast On
Cable Cast On (Next Step)
Once the knitted cast on feels comfortable, this is a natural progression.
Why use it
- creates a firmer, more structured edge
- looks slightly neater
- good for projects that need stability
Step-by-step
-
- Slip Knot: Make a slip knot and place it on your left needle.
- Insert: Insert your right needle into that stitch from left to right (as if to knit). Your right needle will sit to the back and look like they are crossed.
- Wrap: Wrap the yarn counter-clockwise around the right needle.
- Pull Through: Use the right needle tip to pull that wrap through, creating a new loop.
- Transfer: Pull the new loop out a little to give it some slack. With the needle tips facing, place it onto the left needle by inserting the needle tip into the loop from the front.
- Insert: Insert your right needle between the last 2 stitches from front to back. Your right needle will again sit to the back.
- Wrap: Wrap the yarn counter-clockwise around the right needle.
- Pull Through: Use the right needle tip to pull that wrap through to the front, creating a new loop.
- Transfer: Pull the new loop out a little to give it some slack and place it onto the left needle by inserting the needle tip into the loop from the front.
- Repeat: Continue from step 6 inserting between the stitches until you have the number of stitches you need.
Video Tutorial: Cable Cast On
Long Tail Cast On (When You’re Ready)
This is the method many knitters come back to.
A helpful note
This is often the method people find least intuitive at first — that’s completely normal. It tends to click quite suddenly, and once it does, it becomes much quicker than the others.
Before you start
Leave a length of yarn before your slip knot.
A simple guide:
- around 2cm per stitch, depending on yarn and needle size
- or a little extra to be safe
- When working flat, your first row will likely be a wrong side row
Video Tutorial: Long Tail Cast On
Real-Life Tips
A few things that make a real difference when you’re starting out:
- if it feels awkward, don't worry — it settles quickly with a bit of practice
- don’t rush — slower movements help your hands learn the motion
- your stitches don’t need to be perfectly even at this stage
- stop and reset if your yarn gets tangled — it’s easier than trying to fix it mid-way
- try a different method if one feels frustrating — it’s not a step backwards
Most of knitting becomes easier once your hands get used to the movement — that just takes a little time.
Getting the Tension Right
Tension is one of the biggest things that affects how your cast on feels — but it’s also one of the easiest to adjust. Tension refers to how tightly or loosely you knit, dictated mainly by how tightly you hold the yarn.
If your cast on is too tight
You might notice:
- it’s difficult to insert the needle into the first row
- the stitches feel stiff and don’t move easily
How to fix it:
- use a slightly larger needle just for casting on
- keep your stitches a little looser as you form them
- avoid pulling the yarn tight after each stitch
- loosen your grip slightly as you form each stitch
If your cast on feels too loose
You might notice:
- stitches look uneven or floppy
- the edge doesn’t hold its shape
What helps:
- gently tighten each stitch as you go
- keep your yarn under light, consistent tension
- check that stitches sit neatly against the needle (not stretched away from it)
- pause every few stitches to adjust if needed
A simple guide
Your stitches should:
- sit neatly on the needle
- slide easily without stretching out
If they can slide but don’t feel loose, you’re in a good place.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
This is where most beginners get stuck — and all of these are completely normal.
Casting on too tightly
What happens:
Your first row is difficult to knit into.
Fix:
Loosen your tension slightly and focus on making each stitch a little larger before tightening. Casting on over two needles can help straight away.
Uneven stitches
What happens:
Some stitches are tight, others loose.
Fix:
Slow down your movements and try to keep your yarn tension consistent. This improves quickly with a bit of practice.
Running out of yarn (long tail)
What happens:
You don’t have enough yarn left to finish casting on.
Fix:
Start again with a longer tail — a rough guide is 2–3cm per stitch, plus a little extra. It doesn’t need to be exact.
Stitches twisting or looking unusual
What happens:
The stitches don’t sit neatly on the needle.
Fix:
Check that each stitch is sitting the same way on the needle. If something looks off early on, it’s usually easiest to restart rather than trying to correct it later.
Not knowing which method to use
What happens:
You feel stuck before you even begin.
Fix:
Start with the knitted cast on. If that feels comfortable, you’re on the right track. You can always try another method later.
Final Thoughts
Casting on is simply the starting point of your knitting.
It might feel unfamiliar at first, but it doesn’t take long before it starts to feel more natural.
Whether you choose long tail, knitted, or cable cast on, the most important thing is finding a method that works for you.
From there, everything else builds step by step.
FAQ
Which cast on method is best for beginners?
Knitted cast on often feels the most intuitive, but long tail is the most versatile once you get used to it.
Is long tail cast on difficult?
It can feel awkward at first, but it becomes much easier with practice — and is one of the quickest methods.
What’s the difference between knitted and cable cast on?
Knitted cast on uses the knit stitch to add stitches, while cable cast on creates a firmer edge by working between stitches.
How long should the yarn tail be?
A rough guide is 2–3cm per stitch, but it doesn’t need to be exact.
Why is my cast on too tight?
This usually happens when the yarn is pulled too firmly as each stitch is made.
Can I use different cast on methods for different projects?
Yes — different methods suit different finishes, and it’s completely normal to switch between them.