How to do the Knitted Cast On - Two Needle Cast On

Cast-on is one of the most crucial aspects of any knitting project.  Whether you're a beginner or an experienced knitter, the cast-on sets the foundation for your entire project.

There are different cast-on techniques in knitting, each with its own unique benefits and disadvantages - long-tail cast-on, single cast-on, cable cast-on, German twisted cast-on, wrap cast-on, to name a few.

Today, I will share my favorite cast-on. It's the way I was taught when I first started knitting.  My way is called TWO NEEDLE CAST-ON also known as the KNITTED CAST-ON method.  I like this two-needle method because you don't have to guess the amount of yarn needed for the cast-on at the beginning.

As the name suggests, the knitted cast-on (two-needle cast-on) is worked with two knitting needles along with one strand of yarn.

The knit cast-on is a perfect cast-on for new knitters who have just learned the knit stitch because the cast-on stitches are made in much the same manner.

Learn how to cast on knitting stitches with two needles by watching our video or keep reading this post for a step-by-step guide on how to do the two needle cast on.

two needle cast-on (aka knitted cast-on) INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: make a slip knot

To start the knit cast-on, create a standard slip knot made so that the tail end tightens the knot of the stitch and the ball end tightens the loop that is the stitch itself.

Slide the slip knot loop onto needle and tighten it.  Hold this needle in your left hand.

There are different ways to make a slip knot, so you may want to check out this tutorial.

The slip knot counts as your first stitch and should be included in the final number of cast-on stitches before starting your project.

STEP 2: make the first knit cast-on stitch

To make the first knit cast-on stitch, insert the tip of the right knitting needle into the slip knot from front to back making sure the right-hand needle is under and in the back of the left needle.

Step 3: wrap the working yarn around the needle

Next, wrap the working yarn (the yarn coming from the ball) over the tip of the right needle and toward the front. The yarn goes around the back, over the top and toward the front of the knitting needle.

Step 4: bring the loop through to the front

With the tip of the right needle, carefully bring the right needle under the left needle and through to the front, pulling a loop through the slip knot stitch. The goal in this step is to keep the loop you just made on the right-hand needle while bringing it to the front of the work.

Keep pulling the loop toward you to make a slightly larger loop.

Step 5: transfer stitch to left needle

Transfer the stitch to the left needle by twisting the right-hand needle up

and carefully place the loop onto the left needle next to the slip knot.

Slip the right needle out of your new stitch and tug on the yarn to tighten it.

You've cast on your first stitch. You now have two stitches on the left needle.

Step 6: Continue casting on

Continue casting on by making another stitch. Insert your right-hand needle into the newest stitch on your left-hand needle from front to back.

Hold the yarn behind your needles, wrap the yarn over the right-hand needle and use your right-hand needle to pull a loop through the stitch.

Keep pulling this loop out; then twist the right-hand needle up and carefully place the loop onto the left needle next to the last stitch.

Pull on the yarn to tighten the stitch. You now have three stitches on the needle.

And repeat!

Repeat step 6 over and over again until you have the desired cast-on stitches.

And that's how you cast on using two needles.

The knit cast-on is a simple but one of the essential techniques in knitting.  With these step-by-step instructions (along with our video tutorial) you'll be able to cast on with ease in no time.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the hang of it.

Once you feel comfortable with the knit cast-on method, try other cast-on knitting techniques

• Long-Tail Cast On
• Cable Cast On
• Backward Loop Cast On
• German Twisted Cast On