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How to Cast On

To "cast on" means to add the required number of stitches to your knitting needle. Find out how many stitches you need by reading your pattern. Alternatively, if you are just experimenting, start with at least 15 stitches.

There are several different ways to add stitches, but I find the following method the easiest:

1. Take your needle with your first stitch on it (that you created by making a slip knot ) in your left hand. Then push the other needle behind it, through the back of the loop.

2. Holding the needles in your left hand, with your right hand, wind the yarn around the back of the rear needle and pull the yarn so it is taut.

3. Pull the rear (right) needle towards you, catching the wrapped yarn and hooking it through the first stitch.

4. Lift the right needle upwards so that you now have one loop on each needle.

5. Push the left hand needle into the middle of the loop on the right hand needle.

6. Now pull the loop across by removing the right hand needle, so that you have two stitches on the left hand needle.

Congratulations - you have now added your first 2 stitches!

Just repeat these steps until you have added as many stitches as you need. When you have finished, your stitches will look something like this

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