Lesson 3

Knitting Techniques


Casting On

 

Putting the first stitches on the needle is called casting on.


Left Hand Casting On
Right Hand Casting On

View the video above and/or click on the + sign below to read and see pictures of how to cast on left handed.


  1. To cast on 20 stitches, it will be necessary to measure off approximately 40 cm of yarn.



  2. Make a slip loop 40 cm from the end of the yarn.



  3. Place the loop on the needle and gently pull the ends of the yarn (not too tight). The ball end of the yarn is to the right and the free end of the yarn is to the left.


  1. Place the needle between the thumb and first finger, as if you were holding a pencil.

  2. Be sure that the loop is near the pointed end of the needle.

  3. Using the ball end of the yarn, place the yarn loosely over the first finger, under the second, over the third, under the fourth above middle joint. The second and third fingers are very important because they keep the flow of yarn even not too tight or not too loose, that is, they regulate the correct tension.


  1. Grasp the free end of the yarn lightly against the right hand with the second, third and fourth fingers.



  2. Place the yarn near the needle around and under the thumb.


  1. Bring the hands close together and adjust the yarn. Notice that the yarn makes a loop around the right thumb.



  2. Insert your needle through the underside of the loop.



  3. Bring the yarn in the left hand over the point of the needle from the back.



  4. Draw it through the loop.



  5. Gently pull the free end of the yarn with the right hand to tighten the stitch.



  6. Place the yarn around the thumb as directed before and repeat steps 1 to 6.

View the video above and/or click on the + sign below to read and see pictures of how to cast on right handed.


  1. To cast on 20 stitches, it will be necessary to measure off approximately 40 cm of yarn.



  2. Make a slip loop 40 cm from the end of the yarn.



  3. Place the loop on the needle and gently pull the ends of the yarn (not too tight). The ball end of the yarn is to the right and the free end of the yarn is to the left.


  1. Place the needle between the thumb and first finger, as if you were holding a pencil.

  2. Be sure that the loop is near the pointed end of the needle.

  3. Using the ball end of the yarn, place the yarn loosely over the first finger, under the second, over the third, under the fourth above middle joint. The second and third fingers are very important because they keep the flow of yarn even not too tight or not too loose, that is, they regulate the correct tension.


  1. Grasp the free end of the yarn lightly against the left hand with the second, third and fourth fingers.



  2. Place the yarn near the needle around and under the thumb.


  1. Bring the hands close together and adjust the yarn. Notice that the yarn makes a loop around the left thumb.



  2. Insert your needle through the underside of the loop.



  3. Bring the yarn in the right hand over the point of the needle from the back.



  4. Draw it through the loop.



  5. Gently pull the free end of the yarn with the left hand to tighten the stitch.



  6. Place the yarn around the thumb as directed before and repeat steps 1 to 6.