Casting on is the first step in any knitting project. It is essential in knitting because nothing can be done until after this task is completed. Before learning how to cast on, it’s important to know which type of needle to use for which project.
Straight Needles:
The straight needles are used in pairs and are shown in the header image above. These needles have a point on one end and a ball or square piece on the other end to prevent your stitches from falling off. These are typically used for flat projects, such as blankets and scarves.
Circular Needles:
Circular needles consist of two needles tied together by some sort of cord. These are considered to be incredibly versatile as they can be used for flat and round projects, such as hats, mittens, scarves, blankets and many, many more. These tend to be recommended for beginners because it is much more difficult to accidentally drop a stitch while using these needles.
Double Point Needles:
These needles can really only be used for round projects such as hats, mittens, sweaters, etc. This requires the use of three or four needles rather than the two. This tends to be for more advanced knitters and is not typically a style encouraged for beginners. I have found that it is incredibly easy to drop a stitch without noticing while using these needles.
How do I know how many stitches to cast on?
This will be entirely dependent on the type of project, yarn and pattern you choose. Likewise, it will depend on the needle size and the girth of the yarn. Research on stitch types/patterns will give you ample information on how many stitches to cast on, what size of needle is best and what type of yarn. Nowadays, yarn purchased from a craft store – or a common store such as Target or Walmart – comes with project ideas, patterns, directions and dimensions on the yarn packaging. Some may seem useless, but I’ve gathered a few good ideas from them!
Casting on Tutorials:
Straight Needles
Circular Needles
Double Point Needles
I was hoping to include my own tutorials, but I don’t currently have any needles free from a project. Hope these were helpful. Enjoy!
