The backwards loop cast on or single cast on is great for learning to knit, as it's very easy to learn and quick to use. It makes a nice stretchy edge, and can be used to add stitches onto a piece that has already been knit.
This article will use the hand method for casting on, but there are several other methods that might use the other knitting needles, fingers, or thumb.
Steps
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Pull out about ten inches (25cm) of yarn from your yarn ball .
- The yarn that is coming out of the skein/ball of yarn is referred to as the working yarn throughout this article.
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Make a slipknot with an approximate five inch (12.5cm) tail on one side.- Make a loop in the yarn.
- Place the loop on top of the yarn to the side of the loop.
- Pick up the yarn inside the loop and pull it through.
- Pull the knot tight, keeping the loop at the top open.
- Slip the knot onto a knitting needle.
- Pull the knot snug.
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Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand.
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Drape the working yarn, the yarn attached to your yarn ball, behind your left hand and over your palm. Keep the tail yarn, the short end of yarn attached to nothing, out of the way for now.
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Place the needle underneath the yarn across your palm.
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Pull out your palm from the yarn, and there should be a loop formed around the knitting needle.
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Pull that loop tight. You have successfully cast on your first stitch!
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Repeat this process with your hand and the yarn until you have cast on as many stitches as you would like. Try to keep the loops uniform.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat can cause a big space between each stitch?SarahBCommunity AnswerYour tension is too loose.
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QuestionAfter you do backward stitches, how do you knit off them?Community AnswerKnit them the same as you would any other cast on. They are usually a bit tight, so be patient.
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QuestionPlease explain following instructions: "Knit 2 M1 using backwards loop co."Community AnswerIf it's a backward loop, your next stitch is probably a purl, just wind it back to front, then do a normal yarn over.
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Tips
- You also want to make loose loops with this method; tight loops are very frustrating to knit from. However, don't make them too loose or your edge will look too loopy.Thanks
- Keep your loops facing upwards and uniform; don't allow them to become twisted or it will be difficult to knit from.Thanks
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Warnings
- If some of your loops fall off the needle, just cast on some more. No big deal.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Yarn
- Knitting needles
References
- Videos provided by Wollefein
About this article
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