Casting on with a hook and a needle
The crochet cast-on method creates a really neat edge that resembles a chain cast-off edge. Because of this, this cast-on method is sometimes known as the cast-off cast-on method.
If you already crochet, then you should find this method fairly straightforward; if you don’t crochet, be brave because this is a really useful cast-on method.
The following explanations and images are for those who knit right-handed, that is, your working hand is your right hand (regardless of which hand you use to hold the yarn) and the stitches move from the left to right needle as you knit. Alternatively, take a look at this blog post: Crochet cast-on method – a left-handed knitting tutorial.
Casting on, one chain at a time
Make a slipknot and place it on the crochet hook; hold the crochet hook in your right hand. Wrap the yarn around your left hand as if to crochet and hold a knitting needle in the same hand. Place the knitting needle over the ball end of the yarn.
Pass your crochet hook over the knitting needle.
Grab the yarn with the hook (move the hook back under the yarn, then forward over it), so the yarn is round the hook.
Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook, thus creating a stitch on the knitting needle.
Pass the yarn backwards between the hook and needle; this is the tricky bit, but once you know what you’re doing it’ll be fine!
You’re ready to cast on your second stitch. So, repeat the following: pass your crochet hook over the knitting needle; grab the yarn with the hook; pull the yarn through the loop on the hook and pass the yarn backwards between the hook and needle.
Carry on casting on stitches in this manner until you have one stitch fewer than required on the knitting needle. For example, if you want 10 stitches, you need to cast on nine.
Transfer the stitch on the crochet hook to the needle. This is important; if you don’t do this your cast on edge will unravel!
You now have the correct number of stitches, with a beautiful cast-on edge.
When should you use a crochet cast-on?
- Edges where you want to add a crochet edging.
- Edges where you want to add a fringe.
- When you want the cast-on and cast-off edges to match.
Hi! This great and like it’s easy enough but how do you finish off when you get to the other end? Is there a crochet hook finish?
Thank you!
Hi Pat!
By the other end, do you mean cast off? The standard cast-off is a perfect match for the crochet cast-on method. That’s where you knit two stitches, * pass first stitch over second, knit one stitch and repeat from *.
I always use a crochet hook in my right hand to cast off using this method. Usually a size or so up from the needles, to make sure it is not too tight.
Hi François! The standard chain cast-off and the crochet cast-off produce identical cast-off edges, but are worked differently.
Right-handed people who can crochet or pick the yarn when knitting should find the crochet cast-off relatively straight forward, since they are already used to holding the yarn in their left hand. Right-handed people who can’t crochet or throw the yarn when knitting might find it a bit harder, since they are not used to holding the yarn in their left hand.
It’s a good tip to use a hook a size bigger than the needles, so that the cast off edge is not too tight!
Thank you for this, it was really interesting and helpful:)
Hi Angel, I’m glad you found it useful!
Nicki, this is awesome! I have used a number of different cast-ons but always come back to my favourite, the long-tail. The only problem is that long tail . . . This method makes a lovely edge without any waste.
I learned one thing. When I started to knit the first row on my test swatch, things looked sloppy. I was knitting through the front leg. I changed to knitting through the back (twisting the stitch) and tada! The stitches tightened right up and the fabric laid flat. It’s lovely. I do believe this will now be my go-to cast on.
Thankyou 🙂
Hi Elly,
So glad you like this tutorial!
It’s good to know a variety of cast-on methods so you can use the best one for each project. I’ve not had a problem with the first row, after a crochet cast-on, being too loose, but you’re right knitting through the back leg will always tighten stitches. You could try using a smaller crochet hook when casting on. That way the cast-on stitches will be smaller and therefore tighter and hopefully the first row will be fine! Have a go and let me know how you get on. 🙂
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Thank you MUCH!!!! I just love this. Great job!
Thank you Linda! So glad you find this tutorial useful.
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Thank you for for the helpful Tutorial. the knitting cast-on is GREAT, love the web site, Thank you so much.
Thank you Emilie, you made my day! 🙂
Thank you so much for this!! I’m a crocheter attempting to teach myself to knit and couldn’t figure out how to even get started with a cast on. This is perfect and I understood it immediately!!! Amazing!!
Thank you Kelli, I’m glad this tutorial was helpful. And in future when I’m teaching a crocheter to knit I’ll show them this cast-on method.
A way to never run out of ‘tail’ of yarn.
Thank you!
Now all I have to do is remember this technique for my next CO.
I’m glad you like this cast-on method. The cable cast-on method and knitted cast-on method don’t use a tail either.
Brilliant, thank you for sharing
Glad you found this tutorial useful, Anne!
Hi, am ‘calling’ from Sylvania, Ohio. Great technic. Have 200+ sts to CO for a shawl. Learned recently to read a chart. Starting at the top w/the little tab thing – – – Pembrook Wrap came together beautifully. This CO will be fun to do for my 200 + sts. (Just so my needle is long enough). Bye for now, Ceejay
Hi Ceejay, if you are going to cast on for a lace shawl the knitted cast-on method would be better because it is looser. If you use a normal cast on for a lace shawl the cast-on edge will gather up.
What size hooks do you use.
Hi Gail, use a hook the same size as your knitting needle. The new stitches will formed over the knitting needle, so this will control the size of your stitches.
I liked this cast on, but my initial stitch always seems to be very loose. How could I tighten it up? Thanks.
Hi Tony, I’m not sure whether you mean the first stitch the crochet hook (in which case you need to tighten the slip knot after you have made the second stitch) or the first stitch that you knit (in which case you could try pulling on the yarn after you’ve knitted the second stitch). The reason that I suggest tightening after making the second stitch is that it is more likely to stay how you want it; for the first stitch to become loose again, two stitches have to loosen, not one.
Alternatively, you could try a different yarn. It could be that a slippy yarn makes loose stitches more likely. Try a non-superwash wool.
This is mind-blowing. Thank you so much! This was extremely helpful. I HATE casting on, and this just made my life so much easier. I’ll never go back to the standard way again! You’re a true hero.
Hi Casey, I’m glad you like this cast-on method. It’s pretty cool!
Can you expound on “Pass the yarn backwards between the hook and needle.”
I’m really excited about this cast on method but I don’t understand this part.
Thank you.
Hi Anna, in the previous step when you make a stitch on the knitting needle, the yarn will end up at the front. You need to move it to the back ready to make the next stitch. You will need to move the yarn back between the needle and hook (similar to when you want to change from purling to knitting you have move the yarn back between the needles).
This is also the easiest way to make a provional cast-on!
Yes, here’s the link to my tutorial on the crochet provisional cast-on:
This is my favourite cast-on, also known as the Chinese Waitress cast-on. Chinese Waitress can be done on 2 needles, but it’s definitely easiest using a crochet hook. I do my cast-on with a circular needle, and ALWAYS cast on an extra stitch. When done casting, I slide the stitches to the other end (i.e.,the beginning) and remove the slipknot (1st) stitch.
That name is new to me! I like your idea of casting on an extra stitch and removing the slip knot; I shall be trying that soon.
I’ve been meaning to try this for a while but also wondering quite how I’ll do it. I’m left handed, but I knit right handed. I crochet left handed. So I’m going to have to do some real right-brain / left-brain exercise to overcome the bias one way or another to make this work!
The benefits are obvious though – it creates such a beautiful edge…
I think that you should do this left-handed because you crochet left-handed. You will find that the stitches are sitting backwards (lagging leg forward) when you start knitting right-handed. Just knit into the back loop to correct this and you will be fine
Hi there I have been knitting when ever for many years, I wish I had known this before
Such a nice touch & makes a change from the normal one I do, I would like to share if I
may. I crochet my seams, it leaves a nice chain pattern, but you do use more wool this way,
I’m glad you like this cast-on method Christine!
You might like to try mattress stitch for knitwear seams: it makes a neat seam which is not as bulky as crocheting seams.
Thank you so much I’ve been knitting for many years and am delighted to learn something new
Thankyou Anne, I hope you find this cast-on method useful.
Thank you for the feed back on sewing knitted item’s up, is the mattress stitch the same as back stitch,. Look forward to your reply when you get chance, thank you, have a pleasant evening,
From Christine
Hi Christine, mattress stitch and back stitch are not the same. When you do mattress stitch you have both pieces of fabric with the right sides facing you, which makes it easier to match stripes and patterns. Mattress stitch is sometimes known as ladder stitch.
HI
Awesome knowledge, thankyou! Just wondering if this method of cast on is stretchy enough for socks? I usually use the long tail cast-on method.
Many thanks, Lorraine x
Hi Lorraine, I’ve not tried the crochet cast-on for socks, so I do not know if it is stretchy enough. I usually use a tubular cast-on method: How to knit tutorial: the tubular cast-on method for 1 x 1 rib (for knitting right-handed) or How to knit tutorial: the tubular cast-on method for 2 x 2 rib (for knitting right-handed)
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