How to Cast On Stitches, Part 2
Published by JoAnn on Tagged How to Cast On, Uncategorized
Thumb Cast On (Continental) Method
This cast on method is very similar to the no name cast on that I have explained. Form a slipknot and put it on the needle. Holding the needle in your right hand, you form a loop using your thumb and first finger, slip the needle under the loop and draw it onto the needle; it will automatically form a knot as you pull the yarn tight to the needle. Continue repeating these steps until you have the number of stitches you need.
Thumb Cast On (English) Method
For this method, you need to leave a long length of yarn before starting your stitches, this length of yarn will form the “tail” when your stitches are finished. My mother used this method and miraculously, she always had just the right length of yarn to form her stitches. I, however, never quite got it right, hence my decision to learn another way. Generally about 39 inches of yarn will give you 100 stitches, this will vary with the thickness of the yarn and how loosely or tightly you form your stitches. Trial and error will help you figure out what works best for you.
Holding the needle and yarn you have measured off in your right hand, form a loop over your left thumb and insert the tip of the needle into the loop. Using yarn from the ball of wool, wrap this yarn over the tip of the needle. Use the needle to draw the length of yarn through the loop to form a stitch, once this stitch is formed, let it slip off your thumb onto the needle and pull on the “tail” or length of yarn you have measured off to tighten the stitch. Repeat this action until you have created all of your stitches.
To learn a simple cast on method, just watch this video.
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