A cast-on is the first step of a knitting project and it is very important to get it right. There are several ways to cast on stitches. In this blog, let us introduce you to cast-on stitches for your knitting project with a crochet hook. A crochet cast-on provides a neat edge for knitting projects that mirror most regular bind-off edges. It can be useful when adding stitches in the middle of a project. It can be also used to create a provisional cast-on if the pattern demands so. Also, if you have been a crocheter you will find cast-on with crochet come to you naturally.
While you might be comfortable with your own method, any extra information never hurts! In addition, the more methods of the cast on you know the better knitter you become. You can use your knowledge for knitting projects in the future. So, let’s take a look.
Supplies You Need:
- Yarn. If you are following a pattern, then you will have information on the yarn fiber and weight. If you want to experiment, you can choose as you have planned your knitting project.
- A crochet hook that matches your yarn weight. If you are following a pattern, check the instructions or if you want to experiment with yarn, check the label if you’re not sure what size to use). You can also refer to our previous blog on what crochet hook to use with what yarn to give you a better idea.
- One knitting needle of the pair or set (in the case of working with DPNs). It should be the one you’re going to use for your project. You can work with any knitting needle you prefer whether it’s the classic single-pointed needles for flat projects or double-pointed needles for round projects or circular knitting needles such as fixed circular or interchangeable needles.
Take a look at our step-by-step tutorial:
Step 1 – Holding the yarn, needles and crochet hook
Hold the crochet hook with your dominant hand and with working yarn, create a slip knot loop around the crochet hook.
Use a crochet hook one or two sizes larger than the knitting needle to get the best results for a crochet cast-on, ensuring an edge that is firm, but not too tight.
Now hold the hook in the right hand and the knitting needle in the left hand. If you are left-handed, change the position of the needle and hook.
Bring them close, parallel to each other.
Step 2 – Cast on stitches
To cast stitches, bring the yarn behind the needle and over the hook.
Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook and you will have 1 stitch cast on your knitting needle.
Repeat bringing the yarn over till you have cast on one less than the desired number of stitches. For example, if you need 36 stitches, cast only 35 stitches. This is because you will have one loop on the crochet hook.
Transfer the last loop from the hook to the needle. Pull the working end of the yarn to tighten the loop around the needle.
Step 3- Crochet cast-on complete
Now you neat cast-on stitches on your knitting needle.
Keep your crochet hook aside.
Begin knitting as instructed in the pattern or as you have planned your knitting project.
Crochet Cast on Knitting in the Round
When you are working in the round you can cast on with the crochet hook the same way as you do on straight needles.
Once you cast on the stitches on one needle you can divide equally on the three or four different double-pointed needles and start knitting like normal. And, if you are using a circular needle to knit in the round cast on and transfer to the cable.
Crochet Provisional Cast-On
The crochet cast-on is a quick and convenient provisional cast-on method. The provisional variation is worked in the same way as the crochet cast-on, but only using waste yarn. You just need to do the following:
- Before casting stitches onto the knitting needle, chain a few stitches with the crochet hook to make the waste yarn easier to manage.
- Cast on the desired number of stitches, then chain a few stitches on the crochet hook. Break yarn and pull through the final loop.
- Join working yarn and continue as instructed.
It is easy to pick any kind of crochet hook and start with cast on of your knitting project, and you won’t go far wrong with any of the above options.
We hope that you enjoyed our tutorial on crochet cast-on. With KnitPro knitting needles and crochet hooks, you can start with the cast on. Try this out on your new knitting project and maybe this becomes your favourite method to cast on stitches. Besides, cast on you can keep your crochet hook handy for your knitting projects for many other reasons. You can also fix mistakes without unravelling stitches, pick a dropped stitch easily, bind off and add fringe or edge to your projects.
