Knitting may appear complex at first glance, but its core techniques are actually straightforward: cast on, knit stitch, and cast off.
This article will focus on the long tail cast-on technique for beginners. While initially more challenging, this cast-on creates an edge which will make working easier later.
Cast On
Cast-on is the initial step to any hand-knitted project and it is essential that you understand how different cast on methods work. While it might be tempting to learn just one method (and many patterns only require single cast ons), becoming familiar with multiple techniques will enable you to become more versatile with your knitting projects as well as find which type best matches with their patterns.
There are various methods of casting on stitches; some can be loose and stretchy while others more firm and stable. Knitting requires repeated practice to become second nature, and familiarizing yourself with five cast on methods is highly recommended in order to select the most appropriate cast-on method for any given project and establish a foundation that ensures its success.
Knit Cast on
The Knit cast on is an easy and intuitive method designed for beginners that establishes a solid base from which you can work the basic knit stitch. Additionally, this cast on method provides an effective option for those beginning their knitting adventures at either head or feet – perfect if starting garments such as socks.
Long Tail Cast on is an efficient and secure method that is useful in many knitting projects, from sweaters and hats to beanies and blankets. This technique provides you with an edge less susceptible to stretching out of shape than its simpler counterpart, the loop cast on.
Judy’s Magic Cast on is ideal for knitters using circular needles. This unique cast on requires two strands of yarn – attached to the ball and the working yarn – with each thread alternately wrapping around needle 1 and needle 2, until all required stitches have been cast on. When completed, twist both strands over once more before tightening to lock your stitch in place.
Knit Stitch
Once you’ve assembled needles, yarn and a pattern to start knitting, it’s time to get casting on. Cast on involves placing stitches onto needles by casting on. There are numerous methods for casting on that can produce unique effects in fabric designs; we will demonstrate one such cast-on method called Long Tail Cast On that works well for most projects in this video.
Hold an empty (or working) needle in your right hand and insert the point of an additional (empty) needle from front to back into the first cast-on stitch in the back, moving from front to back. Now using your working yarn strand and wrapping it from back to front around this new (empty) needle from back to front in order to form a knit stitch! Once this stitch has formed, simply move off of your left needle so your new stitch is ready to be worked upon!
As you continue knitting, your stitches will increase until the number necessary for your project has been reached. When it’s time for the next row to start, cast-off must take place to prevent unraveling of stitches on needles – this also gives an excellent opportunity to inspect yarn quality and ensure enough supplies remain available!
Once you master the knit stitch and cast on, you can use any one of its basic patterns of knitted fabric – from garter stitch, which makes ideal scarves and baby blankets, through stocking stitch and rib stitch to create stretchy cuffs and hems – so much is possible using just two basic stitches!
So go ahead and start knitting – you won’t regret it! And don’t hesitate to ask questions; experienced knitters are available who want everyone to succeed at this rewarding hobby.
Cast Off
Knitting may be considered an art form, but it can also be an invaluable life skill. Crafting unique, one-of-a-kind items from scratch with just two hands is both therapeutic and fulfilling; plus you’re likely to make multiple things using this straightforward and flexible technique!
Start off by gathering yarn and needles. While you could buy some wool and an empty needle from any craft store, to ensure a high-quality finished piece that stands the test of time, get yarn that matches up well to what project you intend on knitting and soft and smooth fibers that allow for comfortable knitting experience.
No matter if you’re following a pattern or not, gauge swatches are an invaluable way to select an ideal needle size for your project. Doing so ensures an even tension across all stitches while preventing a sloppy edge from appearing and will give an idea of how long your project will take to complete and how many stitches should be cast on at the outset.
After finishing your gauge swatch, it’s time to begin your actual knitting. Depending on the project you’re undertaking, purl stitches or knit stitches may be involved; both require similar basic techniques but have some subtle distinctions between them.
In either instance, it is important to start off by creating a slip knot with the yarn before inserting your needle into the first stitch and knitting until your pattern specifies a certain number of stitches are complete.
As you continue knitting, make sure to switch the old stitches off of the left needle as soon as you create new ones on the right needle. Furthermore, keeping track of your stitches with a stitch counter or row counting app can be extremely useful as this will prevent accidental loss or ripping out which are both common among beginner knitters.
Getting Started
Knitting can be an engaging hobby that offers respite from everyday stressors while simultaneously giving you something beautiful to create for yourself or as gifts for others. Knitting also keeps hands active while helping reduce risk for mild cognitive impairment and memory loss according to one study. But before starting on any large projects, first learn the fundamentals. Master the cast-on and knit stitch techniques first before moving forward.
There are countless resources out there to help beginners get into knitting, with YouTube being an excellent place to begin. The Sheep & Stitch channel on YouTube features some fantastic beginner videos which will guide you through getting yarn onto needles, learning a basic knit stitch pattern and ending your knitting.
Once you have learned the fundamentals, it’s time to put them into practice. At first it may seem frustrating when starting a project but seeing nothing happen, but perseverance is essential if you want success. Goal-setting can also help; for instance instead of starting off by trying to knit a sweater your first time around try starting with something easier like knitting a hat; they take less time, are simpler to correct mistakes with and everyone loves wearing one!
Start knitting today – bamboo or wooden needles are recommended as beginner-friendly options to get you going. When selecting yarn balls for your project, always look at their recommended needle size on their label to select an appropriate ball of yarn! Most knitters suggest starting off with medium yarn on 4mm or 5mm needles – beginners might benefit from starting off using bamboo needles!
To learn the knit stitch, hold your yarn in your left hand with needles containing cast on stitches in your right. There are two methods of cast-on that you can choose from: slipknot and long tail cast on. In order to do a long tail cast-on successfully, push apart both strands that make up each stitch before inserting your needle between them.