Learn how to work the knitted cast on in this quick and easy tutorial, complete with video! Great for a beginner knitter.

There are many different methods of cast ons in knitting, from the thumb method to a stretchy cast on to the long-tailed and cable cast on, but the knit cast on is a great one to learn at the beginning of your knitting journey.

The knitted cast on is a perfect method of casting on for new knitters – there’s no worry about a length of yarn to cast on and if you can work a knit stitch you can easily complete this cast on method.

Why Use a Knitted Cast On?

There are many great reasons to choose a knitted cast on when starting your next knitting pattern. Here are a few:

1. It’s easy enough for beginners. No complicated cast on here.

2. You don’t have to worry if your yarn tail is long enough. This is a problem with the long tail cast on method. Since you are using your working yarn to cast on you won’t run out.

3. It’s a solid yet slightly stretchy edge that is good for almost any project.

4. There’s no limit to how many stitches you can cast on.

5. You can use this technique to add stitches to an established row or in the middle of a row.

6. It is a great cast on for all types of knitting stitches and almost any knitting project.

Knitted Cast On Video Tutorial (Continental and English Methods)

In this video tutorial, I will teach you step by step how to work the knitted cast on in both English and continental knitting.  The skill level for this technique is beginner.

What You’ll Need

To work a knitted cast on you will need yarn of your choice and a knitting needle size appropriate for the yarn. If you’re unsure of the size needles you need, check the yarn label on your ball of yarn.

It will give a recommended size. Go with these, the size recommended on your pattern, or (preferably) the size to get gauge for your pattern.

Knitted Cast On English Photo Tutorial

Step One: Begin with a slip knot. If needed, hold yarn tail end out of your way while you get the first few stitches on your needle. This loop counts as the first stitch.

Step Two: Insert right needle into back of stitch as if to knit.

Step Three: Wrap yarn and pull loop through like you are making a knit stitch. This new loop is your next stitch.

Step Four: Loosen the loop and slide it on to the left needle.

One stitch made. Tighten gently (don’t make this too tight!) and repeat steps 2-4 for each stitch.

Once you have the required number of stitches, you are ready to continue ith the next row in the stitch pattern of choice.

Knitted Cast On Continental Photo Tutorial

Step One: Begin with a slip knot. If needed, hold yarn tail end out of your way while you get the first few stitches on your needle. This counts as the first stitch.

Step Two: Insert right hand needle into back of stitch as if to knit.

Step Three: Wrap yarn and pull loop through like you are making a knit stitch.

Step Four: Loosen the loop and slide it on to the left hand needle.

One stitch made. Tighten gently (don’t pull it too tight!) and repeat steps 2-4 for each stitch.

Just like with the English method, once you have the desired number of stitches on your needle, you are ready for the first row of knitting.

Common Problems with the Knitted Cast On

My stitches are too loose. Make sure you are gently pulling each stitch tight as you create it. If you feel that you are doing this correctly and your stitches still feel too loose, try going down a needle size or two to tighten up the first row.

My stitches are too tight. This could be caused by pulling each stitch too tightly as you work. If it’s hard to get your needle tip into the next stitch, then you pulling your work too tightly and need to loosed up a bit. If this isn’t the problem, try going up a needle size or two to loosed up the first row.

Final Thoughts on the Knitted Cast On

Today we learned how to work a regular knit stitch technique to work one of the fastest cast-on methods for new knitters. The end result is a firm edge that is an excellent choice for many different types of projects. If you’re struggling to work the long tail cast-on or most common methods of casting on, I hope you’ll give the knitted cast on a try.

It’s one of the basic techniques you’ll reach for again and again – I know I do! Even though I know many different ways of casting on, the knitted and the cable cast ons are still two of my favorites.

Happy Knitting!

Amanda