Casting On

Unless otherwise stated I always use a long tail cast on, and here are my favourite ways to work some particular cast ons:

Long tail cast on
The long tail cast on is a great multi-purpose knitting cast on and the perfect place for beginner knitters to start.

Provisional cast on
Any cast on done in waste yarn that can be unpicked so that the resulting live stitches can be placed on a needle and worked from or kitchener stitched. I like to work this by crocheting around the knitting needle with the waste yarn because it’s very easy to ‘unzip’ the crochet chain – but if you are not familiar with crocheting you may find a different method easier.

Tubular cast on
There are several ways to work a tubular cast on, which creates a very nice edge for ribbing, but this is the way I use most often. My Skelf, Gretel and Hendreary are a few patterns that feature this technique.

Figure of eight cast on
This cast on is more commonly used for toe up socks but I’ve used it in Almond Comfit, Roisin and  Sherilyn a tutorial can be found on  knitty.com about half way down the page.

Judy’s magic cast on
A good alternative to the figure of eight cast on mentioned above is the magic cast on, a pictorial guide can be found on knitty.com

Disappearing loop cast on
Learn how to work the disappearing loop cast-on with a clear step-by-step tutorial. This easy alternative to the pinhole cast on and Emily Ocker's cast on is perfect for top-down hats, centre-out shawls and blankets, seamless toys and toe-up socks.
I use it mostly for starting toys but recently hats as well. Two patterns that use this cast on method are  Elijah and Musselburgh.