Working out Kinks and Fingering Yarn

 Casting on is the term used in knitting for setting up your first row of stitches. There are many different ways to cast on. These instructions are for the first method I learned. I would recommend using slightly larger needles to learn how to cast on. Something in the size range of US 9 to 11 should be good. You’ll also need some scrap yarn to practice with. Any simple yarn such as Cascade 220, Red Heart or Simply Soft will do. Don’t use anything too fluffy or fuzzy for your first time. You will have plenty of time later to experiment with different yarns.

Knit On Cast On

Special trick for understanding step 3. Do this before beginning step 1. Especially for blind people.

Hold both needles together so that the points are facing up toward the ceiling. Place slip knot over both needles and hold your yarn coming from the ball to the right side of the needles. Pull the yarn so the slip knot is snug. Hold both needles in your right hand with your thumb holding the slip knot in place. Twist the needle on the left so that it crosses in front of the one on the right. You should have an X shape. This is the way your stitch should look after step 3. Take special note of how you would have to insert the right needle to achieve the same affect. Remove the slip knot and begin with step 1.

Step 1

Make a slip knot. To learn how to make a slip knot see Tutorial: Slip Knot

Step 2

Place slip knot on left hand needle and adjust to fit. This will be considered your first stitch. Do not tighten it too much. You need to be able to get your other needle through it too.

Step 3

Insert the point of the left hand needle through the stitch from front to back. The right needle should be underneath the left needle. See Special trick above. Needles should be crossed about 1 or 2 inches from the tips.

Step 4

Use your left index finger to hold the right needle in place and let go with your right hand.

Step 5

With your right hand wrap the yarn coming from the ball around the

Right hand needle tip in a counter clockwise direction. Imagine the clock is laying face up on your lap with the 12 on your knees and the 6 at your stomach. The end of the yarn should end up back on the right side of the needle. Then drop the yarn and put your right hand back on the right needle.

Step 6

Pull the wrapped yarn through the loop on the left needle with the right needle tip. It helps if you pull the needles apart just a wee bit so that your wrapped yarn can get in between them. Put the needles back together and then keep the right needle tip lightly touching the left needle continuously as you draw it through the stitch to keep from losing your yarn. Use your left index finger to hold the stitch on your left needle in place.

Step 7

Keep pulling the yarn until you have about 3 inches between the needles. Rotate the needles so that they are parallel to each other with both points pointing at the ceiling. This should not take a very big motion.  You should be able to hold them about 3 inches apart without much give in the yarn between the needles. Hold the needles so that your index fingers and thumbs are holding the stitches on each needle.

Step 8

Being sure to hold your loops in place turn the left needle clockwise so that it points straight to the right. You’ll need to hold the needles so that the yarn stays taught. Your left needle tip will be pointing at your right needle.

Step 9

Put the point of the left needle through the large loop on the right needle from the front. It helps if you press the loop open a little by pushing the yarn up with your right thumb while still holding the stitch in place from behind the needle with your index finger.

Step 10

Pull your right needle out of the loop while making sure the loop stays on the left needle. Snug up the stitch by pulling on the yarn coming from the ball. You should have 2 stitches on the left needle and none on the right needle.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You’ve made your first cast on stitch. Repeat steps 3 through 10 to cast on more stitches. Always be sure to insert the right needle into the last stitch from the front left side of the stitch.

To learn how to make a knit stitch check out the following link.