How to Cast On: Two Simple Methods Every Knitter Should Know

By Sofia | Last Updated September 11, 2026

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Learning how to cast on is the very first skill every knitter needs — before you can knit a single stitch, you need a row of loops on your needle. The cast on creates that foundation row, and every project you ever make will start exactly this way. Once you know how to cast on with just two methods, you can handle almost any knitting pattern you’ll ever pick up.

This guide covers everything you need — from making your very first slip knot to completing a full cast on edge with either the thumb method or the cable method. If you’re also interested in crochet, check out our complete guide to basic crochet stitches — many of the hand movements feel similar.

What You Need

Knitting needles — a pair of straight needles sized to your yarn (check the yarn label)
Yarn — smooth, light-coloured worsted weight (category 4) so you can see every stitch clearly
Scissors — for trimming yarn tails

Which Cast On Method Should You Use?

Knowing how to cast on with two different methods gives you options for every project:

Thumb method (one needle): produces a soft, stretchy edge — perfect before garter stitch or stocking stitch rows where elasticity matters.
Cable method (two needles): produces a firm, neat edge — the best choice before ribbing or any structured stitch pattern that needs a tidy start.

Step 1: How to Cast On — Making a Slip Knot

Before you can cast on using either method, you need a slip knot — the anchor that holds everything on the needle. Every knitting project starts here.

Fig 16 — Wind the yarn around two fingers, then wrap it around them a second time, bringing the second strand behind the first.

Fig 17 — Using a knitting needle, pull the back thread through the front loop to form a new loop on the needle.

Fig 18 — Gently pull both yarn ends to tighten the slip knot snugly onto the needle — not so tight it won’t slide. This is your first stitch.

Tip: The slip knot counts as your first cast-on stitch. When your pattern says “cast on 20 stitches,” your slip knot is stitch number 1.

Method 1: How to Cast On with the Thumb Method

The thumb cast on is the most popular way to learn how to cast on. It needs only one needle and produces a lovely soft, elastic edge that suits most beginner projects. Before you start, measure out a yarn tail roughly three times the width of the finished cast on edge.

Fig 19 — Place your slip knot on the needle. Hold the needle in your right hand with the ball yarn over your first finger. Wrap the loose tail end around your left thumb from front to back.

Fig 20 — Push the needle tip upward through the loop of yarn sitting around your left thumb.

Fig 21 — Using your right forefinger, bring the ball yarn over the point of the needle from right to left.

Fig 22 — Draw the ball yarn back through the thumb loop — this forms your new stitch on the needle.

Fig 23 — Slip your left thumb out of the yarn loop and gently pull the tail end downward to snug the new stitch onto the needle. Repeat from Fig 19 until you have the number of stitches your pattern requires.

Tip: Keep each stitch snug but not tight — you need to be able to insert the needle into it on the next row. If you’re finding it hard to work into your cast on stitches, your tension is too tight.

Method 2: How to Cast On with the Cable Method

The cable cast on (sometimes called the “between needles” method) gives a firm, structured edge that sits beautifully before ribbing or moss stitch. It uses two needles and creates a very neat, even edge.

Fig 24 — Place your slip knot on the left needle. Insert the right needle into the slip knot from front to back, as if to knit.

Fig 25 — Wrap the ball yarn over the right needle from right to left.

Fig 26 — Pull the new loop through the slip knot using the right needle — you now have a loop on the right needle.

Fig 27 — Slip this new loop from the right needle onto the left needle. You now have 2 stitches on the left needle.

Fig 28 — Insert the right needle between the two stitches on the left needle (not into the top stitch — between them), then wrap the yarn over the right needle.

Fig 29 — Draw a new loop through and place it onto the left needle. You now have one more stitch added. Repeat from Fig 28 until you have the required number of stitches.

Tip: The key move in the cable method is always inserting between the last two stitches (Fig 28), not into the top stitch. This creates the firm, defined edge that makes it ideal before ribbing.

Watch: How to Cast On for Beginners

Sometimes it helps to see the movements in action. This video walks through the cast on technique step by step — a great companion to the diagrams above:

How to Cast On: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Stitches too tight to work into: You pulled the yarn too firmly when securing each stitch. Try casting on over two needles held together, then pull one out — this automatically creates a little extra room.
Uneven stitch sizes: Your tension varied between stitches. This is extremely common when learning how to cast on — practice a few rows and it evens out quickly.
Running out of tail yarn (thumb method): You didn’t leave a long enough tail. Undo and start again with a tail at least three times the width of your cast on edge.
Losing count of stitches: Count every 10 stitches and place a stitch marker. Catching a miscount now saves unpicking later.

Tips for a Perfect Cast On Edge

Match method to stitch: thumb method for stocking stitch and garter, cable method for ribbing and moss stitch.
Count before you knit: always count your stitches after casting on, before working the first row.
Don’t worry about perfection: your cast on edge will look much neater after a few rows of knitting — the tension settles.
Practice on spare yarn: cast on 20 stitches, unravel, repeat. Ten minutes of practice makes a real difference. For more official guidance on knitting techniques, the Craft Yarn Council has excellent standard references.

What to Do After You Cast On

Now that you know how to cast on, you’re ready to start your first row of knitting. The next technique to learn is the knit stitch — the basic movement you’ll use in almost every project. Work a few rows of knit stitch across your cast on edge and you’ll have your first piece of knitted fabric.

If you’ve also been exploring crochet, our beginner’s guide to how to crochet is a great companion read — both crafts use yarn and loops, and many people enjoy learning both at the same time.