For someone who has very little spare time on her hands, I had the sudden itch to start a few knitting projects. It’s probably the cooler weather that sparked the urge, or perhaps the creative bug has hit. Whatever the reason, I’m enjoying my projects so very much, and I have decided to share my knitting knowledge with you all – perhaps you have been wanting to learn this skill for a while? Well, let me enlighten you, step by step, post by post.
This is my third entry into the Learn How To Knit Series. If you are a complete beginner, you might want to read:
01 - Learn To Knit: Matching Yarn And Needle Sizes
02 - Learn To Knit: That First Stitch
This addition demonstrates how to cast on your first row of stitches.
I have put together a short video to walk you through the steps, I hope I explain what you need to do in a clear and understanding manner. I have also written the steps below the video to further demonstrate the process of casting on your first row.
Steps On How To Cast On Your First Row Of Stitches:
- Have your two needles and wool ready.
- Tie on your first stitch or Slip Knot.
- Slide your right needle into the first stitch, keeping it behind the left needle, forming an X.
- Make sure the tail end of your wool is kept to the left, out of the way.
- Take your wool, using your right hand, and move it behind the back needle, and then around it, so that it sits in between the two needles, at the center of the X.
- Move your right needle slightly down, and over the wool you have place in between the needles.
- This action will create a stitch, if you move this latched on piece slightly towards you.
- Move this stitch upwards, and slip it on to the left needle, creating a new stitch.
- Repeat this action as necessary.
* If you are left handed you would swap the right hand/needle for the left hand/needle.
And there you have your very first row of knitting! The amount of stitches you cast on will depend on what it is you are knitting. If you are following a pattern, it will indicate at the beginning how many stitches to add.
Stay tuned for my next entry, which will teach you how to knit a knit stitch!