Video Knitting Course: Guide to Cast-Ons
You might have noticed that using just one basic cast-on for every project sometimes doesn't leave the best, strongest, or stretchiest edge on your knitting. Learn to begin each project with the perfect cast-on for a professional finish - from the start.
Featured Videos
The Long-Tail Cast-On
Old Norwegian (Twisted German) Cast-On
Chinese Waitress Cast-On
Garter Tab Cast-On for Triangular Shawls
Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO)
Judy’s Magic Cast-On is a fantastic cast-on for toe-up socks. Not only is it the sturdiest of the double-sided cast-ons, in my opinion it is also the easiest to knit into, which is when it really counts.
Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO) for Two-at-a-Time Knitting
Two-at-a-time toe-up socks are one of my favorite uses of Judy’s Magic Cast-On. Combine JMCO with Magic Loop to cast on for two-at-a-time socks.
Two-at-a-Time Cast-On
To cast on for two-at-a-time top-down socks, mittens, or sweater sleeves, you need two tubes that are open at the end. This cast-on shows you how to set up your stitches perfectly for two-at-a-time knitting.
Blog Post: Chinese Waitress Cast-On and Cast-Off
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons / July 17, 2021 / 210 CommentsOrdinary cast-ons are not reversible and don’t look great with every fabric. This tutorial teaches you how to correctly do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On so you can have a go-to stretchy, reversible cast-on that looks great on garter stitch, blankets, Brioche stitch, and more. UPDATED POST
Read Post »Blog Post: Short-Tail or Long-Tail? The Fundamental Difference Between Cast-Ons
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons / April 25, 2013 / 101 CommentsAll the cast-ons in the world can be divided into two categories: short-tail and long-tail. You can ONLY use a long-tail cast-on to START a knitting project. If you want to cast on in the middle of a project, you’ll need to use a short-tail cast-on.
Read Post »Blog Post: A Perfect Detail: The Italian Cast-On
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons, World Travels / July 14, 2012 / 94 CommentsThe Italian cast-on makes a stretchy invisible edge that blends perfectly into 1×1 ribbing. You can use it to start any ribbed project, like the cuff of a mitten or the brim of a hat. It’s a beautiful detail that will change and refresh your (otherwise possibly boring) ribbed cuffs.
Read Post »Blog Post: The Garter Tab Cast-On for Triangular Shawls
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons, Center-Start Cast-Ons / April 29, 2013 / 86 CommentsThe Garter Tab Cast-On is an ingenious way to invisibly start a triangular shawl. Since most triangular shawls have a small garter-stitch border, you can use this cast-on to invisibly set up your stitches for knitting the triangle from the center-out.
Read Post »Blog Post: Never Run Out Of Tail Casting On – The Infinite-Tail Method
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-On Tips and Tricks, Cast-Ons / May 6, 2013 / 82 CommentsIf you have to cast on a lot of stitches, you might have trouble estimating the amount of tail you will need. Instead of risking either running out of tail or wasting a bunch of yarn, you can use both ends of your ball of yarn to do the cast-on.
Read Post »Blog Post: How To Knit Emily Ocker’s Circular Cast-On
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons, Center-Start Cast-Ons / April 9, 2013 / 80 CommentsEmily Ocker’s Circular Cast-On is an easy and invisible way to cast on in the center of a circular project. It creates a drawstring-like circle that you can pull tight so that there’s no hole in the center of your project.
Read Post »Blog Post: Liat’s Limitless Cast-On… for Two-at-a-Time ANYTHING
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons, Top-Down Socks, Two-at-a-Time Cast-Ons, Two-at-a-Time Knitting / January 11, 2011 / 74 CommentsTo knit two-at-a-time top-down (think socks, mittens, or sweater sleeves), you’ll need to set up your stitches correctly. This cast-on sets you up for knitting two tubes at once on one long circular needle. Invented by Yours Truly.
Read Post »Blog Post: Why Your Cast-On Is Too Tight… And How To Fix It
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons, Fix Knitting Mistakes / April 22, 2013 / 64 CommentsIf your cast-on is too tight, you are probably pulling the wrong yarn as you make each cast-on stitch. When you are doing a Long-Tail Cast-On, tug with your thumb, not your index finger, to tighten the stitches.
Read Post »Blog Post: Fixing a Dropped Long-Tail Cast-On Stitch
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons / May 7, 2013 / 51 Comments“You are simply amazing. In five-plus years of knitting, I have never even considered replicating a dropped cast-on stitch; I would always just start over. This video makes the actual construction of the stitch so clear and simple that all I can say is, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?!’ ” – Brian M.
Read Post »Blog Post: Knitting a Provisional Cast-on
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons / December 21, 2010 / 22 CommentsA provisional cast-on is a cast-on that you take out later. It preserves your stitches as “live stitches” – loops ready to be placed on a needle and knitted at any time. The Crochet Provisional Cast-On is easy to do and as easy to remove when the time comes.
Read Post »Blog Post: How to Knit a Hemmed Edge
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons, Knitting for Men, World Travels / July 22, 2011 / 19 CommentsThe hemmed edge is a way of casting on that makes your project look completely professional and seamless. Especially flattering on men’s hats, this cast-on is simple yet elegant. A row of purl bumps helps the garment “fold” over the edge.
Read Post »Blog Post: When You Run Out Of Tail – Tricks For Casting On And Weaving In Short Ends
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons, Finishing, Tips and Tricks / October 3, 2010 / 15 CommentsSometimes, when casting on tons of stitches you run out of tail right before end. Don’t worry – you do not have to start your long-tail cast-on over. Use the backwards-loop cast-on or any short-tail cast-on to add the last few stitches.
Read Post »Blog Post: Edge Treatments: How to Knit a Picot Hem
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons / December 2, 2011 / 15 CommentsCreate a decorative hemmed edge at the beginning of your project: a clever row of k2togs and yarnovers creates “picots” where the fabric folds. This makes a decorative, finished edge where you would normally see the raw cast-on. Great for top-down socks.
Read Post »Blog Post: How To Do The Knitted Cast-On
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons / April 9, 2011 / 8 CommentsThe knitted cast-on is a cast-on to use in an emergency. It requires just one strand of yarn, so it’s perfect for adding stitches mid-project. To do the knitted cast-on, you simply knit a stitch and then pass it back to your left-hand needle.
Read Post »Blog Post: When to Start Your Fleegle Heel, Based On Shoe Size
By Liat Gat – Founder / Cast-Ons, Heels, New Patterns, News, Socks / December 31, 2021 / 5 CommentsHow to knit a Fleegle Heel toe-up sock using just shoe size, new child’s sizes for many popular KnitFreedom patterns, and a new, easy cast-on video for KnitFreedom members: “My Grandma’s Cast-On.” Plus, left-handed knitters get mirror-image videos!
Read Post »Blog Post: Tips for Knitting: Habitation Throw by Helen Stewart
By Liat Gat – Founder / Center-Start Cast-Ons / June 8, 2021 / 3 CommentsThe way to start this throw, and almost any lace shawl, is with the Garter-Tab cast-on. It starts the lace completely invisibly and gets your stitches set up correctly to knit the rest of the shawl. Here’s a free video on the Garter Tab Cast-On so you can start any lace shawl perfectly and with confidence.
Read Post »Blog Post: Tips for Knitting: STRIPES! by Andrea Mowry
By Liat Gat – Founder / Stretchy Cast-Ons/Cast-Ons for Ribbing / June 1, 2021 / No CommentsThis lovely STRIPES! pattern suggests you use the Twisted German Cast-On as a way to start your ribbing. Here’s a free video on the Twisted German Cast-On so you can start any stretchy ribbed project perfectly and with confidence.
Read Post »
Free and Premium Videos
Provisional Cast-On
Free VideoThe standard provisional cast-on uses a circular needle or a piece of waste yarn to hold the stitches until you are ready to work them.
I love the idea of using a circular needle to hold the stitches because when you are ready to knit them they are already on the needle and ready to go.
However, if you’re going to be turning your work a lot and don’t want a circular needle hanging down and banging around, you can use a piece of waste yarn.
How to Knit a Hemmed Edge
Free VideoTo knit a hemmed edge, knit 11 rows and fold work, knitting the purl bump from the first cast-on stitch together with the stitch on the needle.
Italian Cast-On in the Round – Perfect Invisible 1×1 Rib Cast-On
Free VideoThe Italian cast-on makes a stretchy invisible edge that blends perfectly into 1×1 ribbing. The trick is the stitches that are used in the cast-on.
Grandma’s Cast-On
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Grandma’s Cast-On is a stretchy long-tail cast-on that is easy, durable, and makes great edges for mittens, sleeves, and sweater collars.
Chinese Waitress Cast-On Crochet Version
Free VideoChinese Waitress Cast-On – Shortcut
Free VideoUn-twisting each stitch on the Chinese Waitress Cast-On takes time. This video shows how to twist the needle so you can continue casting on without having to remove it and un-twist each stitch with your fingers.
Use Chinese Waitress Cast-On to Cast On in the Middle of a Project
Casting on more stitches in the middle of a project can feel strange if you’ve never done it before. This video shows you how to cast on extra stitches using the Chinese Waitress cast-on so you can have a stretchy, reversible edge in the middle of your project.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Chinese Waitress Cast On
Most tutorials don’t teach you how to un-twist each Chinese Waitress Cast-On stitch correctly, which leads to a less-stretchy cast-on. This video shows you how to do it the right way, so that your Chinese Waitress Cast-On is as stretchy as it should be.
Chinese Waitress Cast-On in the Round
If you’re new to Magic Loop, doing the Chinese Waitress Cast-On in the round can seem overwhelming. This video shows you every step so you can cast on for your next hat with confidence.
Chinese Waitress Cast On OFFICIAL VIDEO
Most tutorials teach the Chinese Waitress Cast-On wrong. This officially sanctioned video shows the correct technique so you can create a beautiful, reversible, stretchy cast-on.
Chinese Waitress Cast On Continental Style
When you do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On Continental-style, the stitches can tend to slip off your needles. Here’s how to stabilize your stitches so that you can do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On without having to tension the yarn in your right hand.
Difference Between Chinese Waitress Cast-On Edge – Right and Wrong Way
The Chinese Waitress Cast-On done the way you normally see it taught leaves a twisted, less-stretchy edge than the author intended. This video shows the difference between the Chinese Cast-On edge when done the right way and the wrong way so that you can know why it’s important to knit it the right way.
Chinese Waitress – the Perfect Cast-On for Garter Stitch
Ordinary cast-ons are not reversible and don’t look amazing on Garter stitch. This video compares the Chinese Waitress Cast-On and the Long-Tail Cast-On on Garter stitch so you can see why the Chinese Waitress Cast-On should be your go-to cast-on for Garter stitch.
Estimating How Much Tail You’ll Need
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How to Make a Slipknot
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Casting On – Slingshot Position
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The Infinite-Tail Method of Casting On
Free VideoCasting On Without a Slipknot
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Count Cast-On Stitches Fast
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Casting Onto Two Needles
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Adding More Stitches If You Run Out of Tail
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Fix a Dropped Long-Tail Cast-On Stitch
Free VideoHow many times have you dropped a stitch out of your cast-on as you are knitting the first row? And started over, right? Well, now you don’t have to. Just carefully re-work the dropped stitch, following the technique in the video.
Why Your Cast-On Is Too Tight or Too Loose
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The Long-Tail Cast-On
Free VideoThe long-tail cast-on is a beginner cast-on.
It is fast and easy to do and is moderately stretchy and sturdy.
To prepare for the long-tail cast-on, estimate how much tail you’ll need and make a slipknot that far into the working yarn.
Put the slipknot on your right-hand needle, stabilize the slipknot with your right index finger, and position the yarn in slingshot position.
Long-Tail Cast-On: Thumb Method
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The Thumb Method is another way to create the Long-Tail Cast-On. I think it’s slower and more difficult than the standard way, but if you prefer this method, here’s how to do it:
Old Norwegian (Twisted German) Cast-On
Free VideoThe Old Norwegian Cast-On is a slightly complicated long-tail cast on that is very sturdy and stretchy and has a pretty, double-twisted edge.
The Old Norwegian Cast-On can be used for stockinette stitch as well as ribbing.
To use it for stockinette stitch as shown in the picture, just do the knit version. To use the Old Norwegian Cast-On for ribbing, see the Alternating Old Norwegian Cast-On.
Purled Cast-On
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The Purled Cast-On is the exact opposite of the Knitted Cast-On and is used to add stitches when you’re on the purl side of your work.
It looks exactly the same as the knitted cast-on, only viewed from the back.
Cable Cast-On
Free VideoThe Cable Cast-On is an easy short-tail cast-on with a beautiful and firm twisted edge. I recommend this cast-on for adding stitches in the middle of a project.
Chain (Crochet) Cast-On
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The special thing about the chain cast-on is that it’s the only cast-on that exactly matches the Standard Bind-Off, so you can use it to create perfectly matching cast-on and bind-off edges.
However, because it creates a rather obvious edge, this wouldn’t be a great choice for adding stitches in the middle of a project.
Backwards Loop (Child’s) Cast-On
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The Backwards Loop Cast-On is the easiest of them all.
It’s great for teaching to children and beginning knitters. However, it’s not very sturdy or stretchy, and it’s also difficult to knit into.
The stitches act like a Chinese finger trap and tighten as you knit each one – not very desirable.
Learn this cast-on so you can teach it to your kids and your beginning-knitter friends, then learn a better short-tail cast-on as soon as possible.
Double-Twist Loop Cast-On
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The Double-Twist Loop Cast-On is an attractive short-tail cast-on that is relatively fast to do.
It has a sturdy double-twisted edge and, like all short-tail cast-ons, it can be used to add stitches in the middle of any project.
Knitted Cast-On
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The Knitted Cast-On is a very easy short-tail cast-on based on the knit stitch. It is moderately stretchy and only semi-durable- it tends to get stretched-out with use.
Avoid using this cast-on on high-wear items like kids’ hat brims or mitten cuffs.
Alternating Long-Tail Cast-On
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The Alternating Long-Tail Cast-On is an easy cast-on for any combination of knit and purl stitches.
The “knit version” is the regular Long-Tail Cast-On you’ve already learned. The “purl version” is the opposite movement, and creates a purl cast-on stitch.
You can alternate 1 knit and 1 purl to prepare for 1×1 rib, or you can alternate 2 knits and 3 purls to prepare for 2×3 rib, etc.
Alternating Old Norwegian (Twisted German) Cast-On
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The Old Norwegian cast-on is a slightly complicated long-tail cast on that is very sturdy and stretchy and has a pretty, double-twisted edge.
It can be used for stockinette stitch as well as ribbing. To use it for stockinette stitch, just do the knit version.
Double-Start (Estonian/Latvian) Cast-On
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The Double-Start Cast-On is a relatively fast and easy way to cast on for 1×1 rib.
It is based on the long-tail cast-on and creates pairs of stitches as you cast on. This cast-on works best for 1×1 rib only, not other combinations of ribbing.
Channel Island Cast-On
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The Channel Island cast-on is decorative cast-on for stockinette or ribbing.
It creates a small knot every other stitch and, because it is created with a double strand of yarn, the edge is very sturdy and won’t get stretched-out. It is traditionally used to cast on for gansey sweaters.
Italian Tubular (Invisible Ribbed) Cast-On for 1×1 Rib
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The Italian Tubular Cast-On creates a true invisible ribbed cast-on edge for 1×1 rib. The stitches flow from the front to the back with no discernible edge.
There are two steps to this cast-on: the Italian cast-on and 2 or 4 tubular set-up rows.
Doing 4 set-up rows makes the cast-on edge a little more rounded.
Italian Tubular Cast-On for 2×2 Rib
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To do the Italian Tubular Cast-On For 2×2 Rib, use the Italian cast-on for 1×1 rib to cast on the number of stitches your pattern calls for and then complete the two tubular set-up rows.
Once you have done the cast-on and tubular set-up rows, you will rearrange the knit and purl stitches as you work your first row to create the k2, p2 pattern.
Alternating Cable Cast-On
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The Alternating Cable Cast-On is a very stretchy and almost invisible cast-on for any combination of knit and purl stitches.
As with the alternating long-tail cast-on, the “knit version” of the alternating cable cast-on is the regular cable cast-on you’ve learned, and the “purl version” is the opposite movement.
You can alternate 1 knit and 1 purl to prepare for 1×1 rib, or you can alternate 2 knits and 3 purls to prepare for 2×3 rib, etc.
Slipknot (Buttonhole/Jeny’s Stretchy Slipknot) Cast-On
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The Slipknot Cast-On is a reversible and very elastic short-tail cast-on that can be used to add stitches to stockinette or ribbing.
This cast-on is simply a series of slipknots done with the working yarn.
Tillybuddy’s Cast-On
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Tillybuddy’s Cast-On (invented by Tillybuddy on Ravelry) is a very sturdy and stretchy short-tail cast-on that can be used for 1×1 or 2×2 rib.
The cast-on uses loops and twists to create pairs of stitches on the needle.
Chinese Waitress Cast-On
Free VideoThe Chinese Waitress Cast-On is a beautiful, reversible, and stretchy short-tail cast-on.
It was taught to knitting author Cap Sease’s friend by a waitress in a Beijing restaurant, hence the great name.
Not only is this cast-on very stretchy, it also doesn’t curl on stockinette, and it creates a reversible double-chain effect along the bottom edge that is very pretty.
I recommend this cast-on for Garter stitch as well.
For an in-depth guide to this great cast-on, including shortcuts, crochet and continental versions, and matching bind-off, see the {REAL} Chinese Waitress Cast-On Masterclass.
Emily Ocker’s Circular Cast-On
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Emily Ocker’s Circular Cast-On, made popular by Elizabeth Zimmerman, is the easiest circular center-start cast on. It uses a crochet hook to create the number of cast-on stitches needed, and the stitches are then slipped onto a long circular needle or double-points.
Invisible Circular Cast-On
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The invisible Circular Cast-On is used to start in the center of a project that is knit in the round.
Casting on into a ring of yarn places the stitches on your long circular needle. When you arrange your needle for knitting in the round, you pull the tail tight and the circle zips up and closes completely.
Garter Tab Cast-On for Triangular Shawls
Free VideoThe Garter Tab Cast-On is an ingenious way to invisibly start a triangular shawl.
A provisional cast-on is used to cast on two or three stitches, then the working yarn is used to knit in garter stitch until you have a little strip of fabric – the “garter tab.”
Picking up stitches along the edge of the tab and in the provisional cast-on places the stitches in such a way that you are ready to start the triangular shawl and it is impossible to tell where you started.
Lace Cast-On
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The Lace Cast-On is a decorative short-tail cast-on that looks good with garter stitch, seed stitch, and ribbing.
Wrapping the yarn around your left-hand needle before doing a knitted cast-on stitch creates an extra loop of yarn on the edge of your project.
Picot Cast-On
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The Picot Cast-On uses a combination of the knitted cast-on and binding off to create a picot edge.
You can use this cast-on to start top-down socks or any project where you’d like a scalloped edge. This cast-on is special in that it has a matching bind-off: the Picot Point Bind-Off #1.
Hemmed Edge Cast-On – Purl or Picot
Free VideoThe Hemmed Edge Cast-On creates a smooth, folded edge. The purl variation adds a row of purl bumps at the fold, and the picot hemmed edge has tiny picot bumps at the fold.
Hemmed edge cast-ons are created by folding a length of stockinette-stitch fabric in half and tacking the cast-on edge down on the wrong side of the work.
I-Cord Cast-On
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The I-Cord Cast-On creates an I-cord along the edge of your knitting.
Passing stitches back and forth between the needle-tips as you work a knitted cast-on causes the edge to form an I-cord.
Use sharp lace needles for this cast-on to make manipulating the stitches easier.
Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO)
Free VideoJudy’s Magic Cast-On is a fantastic cast-on for toe-up socks. Not only is it the sturdiest of the double-sided cast-ons, in my opinion it is also the easiest to knit into, which is when it really counts.
Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO) for Two-at-a-Time Knitting
Free VideoTwo-at-a-time toe-up socks are one of my favorite uses of Judy’s Magic Cast-On. Combine JMCO with Magic Loop to cast on for two-at-a-time socks.
Turkish Cast-On
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The Turkish Cast-On is a double-sided cast-on that is even and sturdy. It’s easy because all it entails is just wrapping the yarn around both of your needle tips held together.
However, what it gains in easiness at the cast-on stage causes more difficulty when it’s time to knit into the cast-on. You’ll need to be proficient in Magic Loop in order to make this cast-on work without dropping stitches.
Figure-8 Cast-On
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The Figure-8 Cast-On is my least-favorite double-sided cast-on.
The cast-on row of stitches can be loose and have a noticeable kink, instead of curving smoothly.
Like the Turkish cast-on, the figure-8 cast-on is easy to do but hard to knit into. You’ll need to be proficient in Magic Loop in order to make this cast-on work without dropping stitches.
Contrasting-Color Cast-On with Corded or Braided Edge
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The easiest way to create a contrasting-color edge is to tie two colors of yarn together in a slipknot and use them to do any kind of long-tail cast-on.
The yarn that goes over your thumb will be the color that creates the contrasting edge.
Two-Color Cast-On with Corded or Braided Edge
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To make a two-color edge, two colors of yarn are used together in a Long-Tail Cast-On and the strands are rotated between each cast-on stitch.
Three-Color Cast-On with Corded or Braided Edge
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To make a three-color edge, three colors of yarn are used together in a Long-Tail Cast-On and all three strands are rotated between each cast-on stitch.
Twined Cast-On for Two-Color Ribbing with Contrasting Edge
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The twined cast-on sets you up for two-color ribbing and creates a contrasting edge in a third color.
Crochet Provisional Cast-On
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The crochet provisional cast-on is very convenient because it’s so easy to remove.
It works the same way as the Chain Cast-On, only you’ll be using a piece of waste yarn to cast on the first row . After you cast on, work the stitches in your working yarn according to your pattern.
When it’s time to remove the cast-on, simply pull the tail – the chain will unravel easily.
To do a provisional cast-on for ribbing, work the first row after the cast-on in all knits or all purls. Then start the ribbing. This ensures the chain of provisional yarn unravels easily.
Moebius Cast-On
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The moebius cast-on was invented by Cat Bordhi as a way to start a loop with one twist in it.
The cast-on itself is similar to a provisional cast-on, but then setting up the moebius and checking it to find the twist make the endeavor more complicated.
Working the first round can be a little slow and confusing – I’ve demonstrated the cast-on all the way through knitting the first round so that you won’t get stuck.
Two-at-a-Time Cast-On
Free VideoTo cast on for two-at-a-time top-down socks, mittens, or sweater sleeves, you need two tubes that are open at the end. This cast-on shows you how to set up your stitches perfectly for two-at-a-time knitting.
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Wow, you have just saved my knitting career! I can't tell you how many cast ons I have had to redo all because of a dropped stitch.
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