The two things you need before you knit your first stitch
Before you can knit, you need yarn on your needles. That process is called casting on, and it creates a row of loops that your working yarn will pull through. You cannot start knitting without it — casting on is the foundation every knitted piece sits on.
You will need two things: yarn and needles in a size that matches your yarn weight. Thicker yarn pairs with thicker needles; thinner yarn with thinner needles. Your yarn label tells you the recommended needle size. If you do not have yarn yet, buy a worsted-weight yarn in a light solid color — it is easier to see your stitches and mistakes.
Casting on takes about five minutes once you know the motion. The most common method is called the long-tail cast-on, and it creates a neat, flexible edge that works for almost any project. It is the method most knitters learn first.
Key Takeaways
- Casting on creates the first row of loops on your needles, and you cannot knit without it.
- The long-tail cast-on is the most common method and works for nearly every knitting project.
- You need a length of yarn roughly three times the width of your finished piece to cast on successfully.
- The first stitch you cast on is a slip knot, which anchors your yarn to the needle.
- Once your cast-on row is complete, you are ready to knit your first stitch into the second loop from the needle tip.
How to measure and prepare your yarn tail
The long-tail cast-on requires a length of yarn before your working yarn — this is called the tail. If your tail is too short, you will run out of yarn before you finish casting on. If it is too long, you waste yarn.
A reliable rule: measure a length roughly three times the width of your finished piece. If you are casting on 40 stitches and your needles are half an inch wide, your tail should be about 18 inches long. For a beginner, it is safer to cut a tail that is slightly too long than too short — you can always weave the extra into your finished piece.
Hold the needle in your right hand. Make a loop with your yarn, leaving the tail hanging on the left side. This loop will become your first stitch.
Creating your slip knot and anchoring the yarn
A slip knot is the knot that holds your yarn to the needle. It is not counted as one of your cast-on stitches — it is the anchor point.
Take the loop you made and pull the working yarn (the yarn attached to the ball) through it from front to back. You now have two loops. Pull the working yarn to tighten the loop around the needle, but leave it loose enough that you can slide the needle through it easily. This is your slip knot.
Slide the needle into the slip knot so the knot sits about an inch from the needle tip. You are now ready to cast on your stitches.
The long-tail cast-on method, step by step
Hold the needle with the slip knot in your right hand. With your left hand, hold both the tail and the working yarn. Separate them so the tail runs over your left index finger and the working yarn runs over your left middle finger. Your thumb and middle finger should hold both strands taut.
Insert the needle under the loop on your thumb (the tail side), then over the loop on your index finger (the working yarn side), then back under the thumb loop. You have now created one stitch. Gently pull the tail to tighten this stitch onto the needle.
Repeat this motion — under the thumb loop, over the index finger loop, back under the thumb loop — until you have cast on the number of stitches your pattern calls for. Each completed stitch should sit on the needle with a small loop of tail yarn visible on the left side of the stitch.
Once you finish casting on, cut the tail, leaving about a 4-inch length. You will weave this tail into your finished piece later to hide it.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
The most common mistake is casting on too tightly. If your stitches are hard to slide on the needle or difficult to knit into, your tension is too tight. Loosen your grip on the tail and working yarn, and try again on a new needle. Tight cast-on edges are stiff and uncomfortable to wear.
Another frequent error is running out of tail before you finish casting on. If this happens, cut a new length of yarn, tie it to the end of your tail with a square knot, and keep going. You will have a knot to hide later, but the cast-on will be complete. To avoid this, always cut a tail longer than you think you need.
Some knitters accidentally cast on too many or too few stitches. Count your stitches on the needle before you start knitting. If the count is wrong, pull the needle out, unravel back to the slip knot, and cast on again. It is faster than ripping out an entire row of knitting.
What to do once your cast-on row is complete
After you cast on, your needle holds a row of loops. The slip knot is on the left end, and your working yarn hangs from the right end. You are now ready to knit your first row.
Insert your empty needle into the first stitch (the one closest to the needle tip on your left needle), from left to right. Wrap the working yarn around the right needle and pull it through the stitch. You have just made your first knit stitch. Slide the old stitch off the left needle.
Repeat this motion into every stitch on the left needle until all stitches have moved to the right needle. You have completed your first row. Turn the needles around so the full needle is now in your left hand, and knit the next row the same way.
Alternative cast-on methods for different projects
The long-tail cast-on works for most projects, but other methods exist for specific situations. The cable cast-on creates a thicker, more textured edge and is often used for projects that need extra structure, like blankets or bags. The provisional cast-on uses a temporary yarn that you remove later, which is useful when you plan to pick up stitches from the cast-on edge.
For now, master the long-tail cast-on. Once you are comfortable with it, you can explore other methods. Most knitters use long-tail for 80 percent of their projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I cast on too many stitches?
Your finished piece will be wider than intended. If you notice the mistake before you knit more than a few rows, pull the needle out and unravel back to the slip knot, then cast on the correct number. If you have already knitted several rows, you can cut the yarn and start over — it is faster than trying to fix it.
Can I use a different cast-on method if I do not like long-tail?
Yes. The cable cast-on and thumb cast-on are simpler methods that many beginners find easier, though they create less flexible edges. Try long-tail a few times first, because the extra practice builds muscle memory. If it still feels awkward, switch to another method.
How tight should my cast-on stitches be?
Tight enough that they do not slide off the needle, but loose enough that you can slide the needle through them easily. Your first few cast-on rows will probably be too tight — this is normal. As your hands relax, your tension will improve.
Do I count the slip knot as a stitch?
No. The slip knot is the anchor, not a stitch. If your pattern says to cast on 20 stitches, you cast on 20 stitches plus the slip knot. After you knit your first row, the slip knot disappears into the edge of your piece.
What if my yarn tail is too short and I run out?
Stop casting on, tie a new length of yarn to the end of your tail with a square knot, and continue. You will have a knot to weave in later, but your cast-on will be complete. To prevent this, always cut a tail longer than you estimate you need.