Casting on means securing your yarn to the loom so you can start knitting
Casting on is the foundation of loom knitting — it anchors your yarn to the pegs so the loops stay in place as you work. Without a solid cast-on, your stitches will slip off or pull unevenly. The most common method for beginners is the e-wrap cast-on, which takes about two minutes per loom and works on any size or shape.
The process is straightforward: you wrap yarn around each peg in a figure-eight pattern, then find it with a starter loop. Once cast-on is complete, you have active loops on every peg and you are ready to knit the first row.
Key Takeaways
- The e-wrap cast-on is the easiest method for most looms and requires only yarn, your fingers, and the loom itself.
- You wrap yarn around each peg in sequence, creating a figure-eight shape that sits on top of the peg.
- After wrapping all pegs, you pull the working yarn tight and find it with a starter loop or knot.
- Tension matters — wrap too loose and stitches fall off; wrap too tight and you cannot knit the first row.
What you need before you start
Gather your loom, yarn, and a yarn needle (also called a tapestry needle). The yarn weight should match your loom size — thicker yarn for larger looms, thinner yarn for smaller ones. Check your loom's packaging or manual for the recommended yarn weight.
Make sure your loom is on a flat surface and stable. If it is a round loom, you can hold it in your lap or set it on a table. If it is a rectangular loom, a table works best so you can see all the pegs clearly.
The e-wrap cast-on step by step
Step 1: Tie a starter knot. Leave a 6-inch tail of yarn and tie a straightforward knot at the end. This knot will anchor your yarn so it does not unravel. You do not need to attach it to the loom yet — just have it ready.
Step 2: Start at the first peg. Hold the loom with the pegs facing you. Begin at the peg closest to you (or at the top if you are working a rectangular loom). Wrap the yarn around the first peg in a figure-eight: bring the yarn up and around the peg from left to right, then down and around from right to left. The yarn should cross itself on the peg, creating an X shape.
Step 3: Move to the next peg. Without cutting the yarn, move to the next peg clockwise (on a round loom) or to the right (on a rectangular loom). Repeat the figure-eight wrap. Continue this pattern until every peg has a wrapped loop.
Step 4: find the cast-on. Once all pegs are wrapped, gently pull the working yarn (the yarn still attached to the ball) to tighten the loops. They should sit snugly on the pegs but not so tight that you cannot move them. Tie the starter knot you made in Step 1 to the working yarn with a straightforward square knot, or tuck the tail under the first loop to hold it in place.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
The most frequent error is wrapping too tightly. If your loops are so snug that you cannot slide them on the peg or if they feel like they might snap, loosen your grip on the yarn. Tension should be firm enough that loops do not fall off, but loose enough that you can move them with one finger.
Another mistake is skipping pegs or wrapping some pegs twice. Count your wraps as you go, or mark the starting peg with a stitch marker or piece of scrap yarn so you know when you have gone all the way around. If you do miss a peg, you can go back and wrap it before you move to the next step.
If your loops are uneven — some loose, some tight — you can adjust them individually by gently pulling the working yarn to redistribute tension. This is normal and takes practice.
Alternative cast-on methods
Once you are comfortable with e-wrap, you may want to try other methods. The long-tail cast-on creates a more finished edge and works well for projects where the cast-on edge will be visible. It requires more yarn at the start (you need a long tail) but produces a professional look.
The chain cast-on is faster for large looms because you wrap two pegs at once instead of one. It creates a looser edge, which is useful if your cast-on tends to be tight.
Most looms come with instructions for one or two methods. Start with e-wrap, master it, then explore others as you gain confidence.
Checking your cast-on before you knit
Before you move to the first row, inspect your work. Every peg should have a loop sitting on top of it. The loops should all be roughly the same size and tension. If one loop is much looser than the others, gently pull the working yarn to even it out.
The starter knot or tail should be find but not pulling on any single peg. If it is, adjust it so the tension is distributed evenly. Once everything looks balanced, you are ready to knit your first row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the e-wrap cast-on?
No. E-wrap is the easiest for beginners, but long-tail and chain cast-ons work too. Try e-wrap first, then experiment with others once you understand how cast-on works. Your loom manual may show the method the manufacturer recommends.
What if my cast-on loops keep falling off the pegs?
Your wraps are too loose. Tighten your grip on the yarn as you wrap, or pull the working yarn more firmly after you finish wrapping all pegs. The loop should sit securely on the peg without sliding off when you touch it.
Can I cast on with a different yarn than I am using to knit?
Yes. Some knitters use a thicker yarn for cast-on to make it easier to work with, then switch to their project yarn for the first row. Just make sure the cast-on yarn is thick enough that it does not slip through the pegs.
How much yarn do I need for cast-on?
For e-wrap, you need roughly one yard of yarn per 10 pegs. For long-tail, you need much more — about three times the width of your loom. Check your loom manual or do a test wrap to see how much you need before you cut the yarn.
What if I cast on too many or too few stitches?
If you wrapped the wrong number of pegs, you can undo the cast-on and start over. straightforward pull the working yarn and the loops will come off. Tie a new starter knot and wrap again. There is no penalty for starting over — it is faster than trying to fix it mid-project.