Knitting cast-on methods part of the cast-on method series
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Cast-on knitting methods

If you are a new knitter, it can be quite confusing to follow a pattern that just says “cast-on xx number of stitches”, but they don’t tell you how to cast-on knitting. Not to worry, you aren’t missing something. There is not one single way to cast-on. In fact, there are many. And for the most part, you are free to choose whatever cast-on method you prefer, or that you think would look best for your project.

If you want to read my post about why cast-on methods are often not called for in a pattern, and check out a great cast-on method resource, click here for my How to Cast-on a Knit Project post.

But chances are, if you found yourself here it’s because you want to get your knit on. And in order to knit on you have to cast on first.

To help you decide what cast-on method to use, we are going to get into a little detail about the different categories of cast-on methods. Then I will place cast-on methods within those categories. As this series continues I will provide both photo and video tutorials for various cast-on methods.

Hopefully, you will find your favorite – your go to cast-on.

For me, it’s the long-tail. And you can view my tutorial for that over here.

Cast-on Knit on, a quick overview by category

As I said, there are many categories for cast-on. And you may be familiar with this, if your pattern said something along the lines of “using a stretchy cast-on”. Let me save you some time, there is no cast-on method called stretchy. I should know, as a newbie I searched for hours, days even thinking I was clearly stupid for not being able to find the “stretchy” cast-on method.

But nope, that’s a category. Not a method. And this can be said for “elastic” and “tubular” as well.

Let’s start by taking a look at the cast-on categories and the various cast-on methods that they include.

  1. Basic
    • Knit cast-on
    • Backward loop cast-on
    • Long tail cast-on
    • Double-twist loop
    • Long-tail (thumb)
    • Purled
    • Cable cast-on
    • Chained
    • Old Norwegian
  2. Stretchy (or elastic)
    • Long-tail cast-on
    • Old Norwegian cast-on
    • Jenny’s Stretchy cast-on
    • German twist cast-on
    • Double start cast-on
    • Alternating Cable
    • Chanel Island
    • Slip knot
    • Tillybuddy’s Very Stretchy
  3. Tubular
    • Tubular
    • Long-tail tubular cast-on
    • Provisional Tubular
    • Yarnover Tubular
    • Italian Tubular cast-on
  4. Provisional/Temporary
    • Provisional
    • Provisional Crochet
      • Method 1
      • Method 2
  5. Circular
    • Circular
    • Invisible Circular
  6. Double sided
    • Judy’s Magic cast-on
    • Turkish Cast-on
    • Figure 8 Cast-on
  7. Decorative
    • Lace cast-on
    • Picot cast-on
    • Two color braided cast-on
    • Tricolor braided cast-on
    • Twined cast-on

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, it’s ok. Yes, some of these cast-on methods overlap. And if you see a cast-on that you think should be in a different category – that’s ok! I think most cast-on methods can fit in anywhere between 2-3 categories. While that makes it more overwhelming for the beginner, it gives a lot of fun freedom once you feel more comfortable knitting.

If you see one I missed – comment below! I want to be sure to add it. 🙂

TIP! If you are a new knitter, focus on learning a basic and a stretchy cast-on method. The others you can learn as you go. But having those two in your knit arsenal will help you navigate most knit projects.

Knitting cast-on category descriptions

If you want to watch a quick video where I break down each category by description, you can hop over to my YouTube channel and check it out there.

But if you prefer to read, which sometimes I do. Then let’s dig in here.

Cast-on knitting category descriptions

Basic cast-on methods are those that are just that. Basic. You can cast-on and use them, they’re like your “all-purpose cleaners”. They are effective in most situations, and we all have one memorized which makes them super handy.

This is where a new knitter should begin. Learn, memorize, just practice casting on one of these basic methods. It’s good for muscle memory, and it will help you develop your skills.

Stretchy cast-ons can sometimes be called elastic cast-ons. These are most commonly used when you are knitting garments. So think about the cuff of your sleeve, the brim of a hat, anything that needs to be stretch to go on. They can also be used in other situations, but a good place to start is thinking about them needing to stretch.

If you’re a new knitter, this is the second type of cast-on method you want to learn. You want to have one basic and one stretchy cast-on method down, memorized. Again, practice, it will get better and better.

Tubular cast-ons sometimes get combined with stretchy. And, in fact, the tubular cast-on methods are generally stretchy. Though tubular cast-ons look and feel different than the regular stretchy cast-on methods. These basically look like the cast-on edge is a tube of some sort. Or that your knitting doesn’t have a cast-on edge as we would see like in a basic cast-on. I love to see a tubular cast-on as the brim of a hat or cuff of a sleeve. That sort of magic that knitting appeared from nothing.

If you’re a new knitter, you can hold off on learning these. Wait until you’re ready. Focus on developing your knit skills and honing in more of the basic and stretchy methods. But when you get a pattern that calls for a tubular method – give it a shot!

Provisional/Temporary cast-ons use waste yarn to get yarn on the needles. Then later on you will remove that waste yarn and seam your fabric together usually using some sort of invisible grafting technique like Kitcheners stitch. This type of cast-on is not replaceable by another category. If a provisional or temporary cast-on is called for, you gotta get the waste yarn out and do it up right.

Circular cast-ons are used when you are beginning your knitting at the center of the fabric and don’t want a hole to be visible. You can do this with and without a crochet hook. I rarely knit from the center out, but have from time to time.

Double-Sided cast-ons are used for anything that has an enclosed end, so like socks (toe-up), bags (bottom-up), mittens (fingers down), hats (crown down). They can also be used for double-knitting though this is sometimes done a little differently. And please note that for like hats, you can also use a circular cast-on method.

Decorative cast-ons are decorative. How clever! I think it’s important to note that just because some of the other cast-on methods don’t fall under the “decorative” category, they can still be used to add decoration to your knits. I find many cast-on methods to be very beautiful and I will substitute them so that I can enjoy their beauty 

Final Thoughts for cast-on knitting projects

The other thing to note is that with most things a lot of cast-on methods can fall under several different categories. Some people may classify tubular and stretchy as the same type of cast-on. So when you get to a pattern that gives you a descriptive word for the type of cast-on method, there is plenty of room for you to use your favorites, or learn some new ones.

And my favorite quote from Deborah Newton, who was not talking about cast-on methods at all, but I think it applies perfectly….

"finishing is not something that I wait to think about at the end of a project. For me, good finishing starts at the beginning of a project" Deborah Newton cast-on knit project

“… finishing is not something that I wait to think about at the end of a project. For me, good finishing starts at the beginning of a project…” Deborah Newton.


Next time we are going to dig into those Basic Cast-on methods and get to know them a little bit better.

Have a particular cast-on question? Leave me a comment below or email me lois@ozzylosiknitdesigns.com

hugs & Happy Knitting
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