Knitted Cast On
The knitted cast on uses two needles and the same motion as a regular knit stitch — making it the easiest cast on for absolute beginners and the easiest one to add stitches mid-row. It is moderately stretchy but slightly looser than long-tail.
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Mechanics
Make a slipknot on the left needle. Knit into that stitch as if it were a normal knit, but instead of dropping it, slip the new loop back onto the left needle. Repeat. Each new loop becomes a new stitch on the left needle, ready to be worked on the next row.
Edge characteristics
The knitted cast on creates a row of small, distinct bumps along the bottom edge that match a knit row. It is more elastic than the cable cast on but less elastic than long-tail. The edge can flare slightly under tension and benefits from a wet-block at the end.
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When to use
Use it when adding stitches at the end of a row (for example, casting on for an underarm at the bottom of a sleeve) or when teaching a new knitter who has not yet learned long-tail. It is also a good choice for buttonhole bands worked sideways.
Common mistakes
Inserting the right needle into the back of the loop instead of the front twists the resulting stitches. Pulling the working yarn too tight before slipping the new loop produces a stiff, hard-to-knit-into edge — keep the loops loose and loose-fitting.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CO | cast on |
| k | knit |
| LH/RH | left-hand / right-hand needle |
Tips
- Use a needle one size larger for the cast-on row, then switch back for the body.
- When adding stitches mid-row for an underarm, use this method on the WS row immediately before the next RS row.
- If the edge looks loose or sloppy, follow with a tighter ribbed border to disguise.
In depth
The knitted cast on is mechanically identical to working a knit stitch and slipping the result back to the left needle. This makes it the only cast on you ever need to add stitches in the middle of a project, which is why it is sometimes called the "backwards loop alternative" for adding underarm stitches.