Cast On Methods Find Your Favorite Technique

There are many different ways to get stitches on the needle so you can knit them, and it may seem like there are more methods than there really are because there are so many different names for the same thing.

This quick guide will run through some of the most popular methods for casting on, as well as some of their more popular names.

The wrap cast on is one of the easiest cast on methods to execute, but it's not the easiest to perform because it is somewhat difficult to keep and even tension when you knit with it.

Still, it is a good choice for beginners because it is quick and easy to cast on this way. It's also a stretchy cast on, making it good for sweaters and socks. You can also use it on lace projects and with other patterns where you don't want the cast on edge to detract attention from the knitting.

Also known as: loop cast on, e-wrap cast on, single cast on.

What If My Stitches Fall off My Needle?

First, take a deep breath and remember that this sort of thing happens to everyone. Don't panic and you'll be fine.

Next, think about the way stitches are supposed to sit on the needle. Look at the loop and notice that it has a right "leg" and a left "leg." The right leg should be on the front of the needle.

Slip the stitches back on the needle they fell off of one at a time. Make sure you put them back on in the same order they were in, so that no stitches are twisted, no stitches are left off the needle and the first stitch on your needle is the same stitch that was there before the knitting fell off the needle.

If you aren't sure you've got your stitches mounted on the needle correctly when you go to knit the next row, you might feel that the stitch is much tighter than normal if you try to knit a stitch that is twisted. To fix this, either take the stitch off the needle, untwist it and slide it back onto the needle, or knit into the back of the stitch, which will untwist it.

Binding Off the Work

So you're ready to call your project finished? First we have to get those stitches back off the needle in a way that will finish up that edge so all your hard work won't unravel.

This is known as binding off -- or sometimes as casting off -- and it's really simple to do. First you knit two stitches in the normal way, then use your left-hand needle tip to pick up the first stitch you knit and slide it up and over the second stitch you knit and the tip of the right knitting needle, leaving one stitch on the needle.

Continue in this manner until you're down to one stitch on the right needle and none on the left. Cut your yarn that's attached to the ball, leaving 6 inches or so. Slide that last loop off the knitting needle and thread the yarn through it. Pull tight and you're done!