.There are many different ways of casting on.  I do the 2 needle method because you don't have to measure out a length of yarn and I think it makes a tighter and straighter edge. Here's how:


1. Make a loop over the needle and tie it.  This will be your first stitch .
TIP: leave a long strand at the beginning end that you can use later to sew up the two sides of a sweater.

2. Hold the needle in your LEFT hand pointing to the RIGHT.

3. Place your left thumb on top of the needle and your left index finger below  the needle. (Your thumb should be closer to you and the index finger away from you.) Hold the dangling yarn taut over your right index and below your right ring  fingers.

 

 4.  With your right hand guide the right needle up through the loop on the left needle

 

  5. With your right hand put the yarn over the right needle, pull  that needle downward  while pulling the yarn with it under, pull it forward, twist it up onto left   needle.  You should now have 2 stitches on left needle.

 

Continue casting on  till you have  20 stitches on your needle, or more if you want to keep going for practice. 

 

Note: to see a demonstration of this method:Casting On

 

 

The Knit Stitch

The Purl Stitch

The Ribbing Stitch

More Stitches page 1