What is Needle Play?
Before we dive into casting on knitting stitches, let’s first understand what needle play is. Needle play is a technique in which you use knitting needles to create a foundation row of stitches. This row serves as the starting point for your knitting project. There are different methods of needle play, and we will explore the most common ones in this post.
Long-Tail Cast On
The long-tail cast on is one of the most popular methods of needle play. To start, leave a long tail of yarn, approximately three times the width of your finished project. Make a slipknot at the end of the tail, leaving a small loop. Insert your needle through the loop, tightening it snugly around the needle. Now, begin casting on by intertwining the working yarn and the tail yarn.
Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand, and with your left hand, bring the working yarn over the thumb, while the tail yarn rests on the index finger. Use the needle to catch the working yarn from under your thumb and pull it through the slipknot. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle.
Knitted Cast On
The knitted cast on is an excellent technique for achieving a neat, stretchy edge. Start by making a slipknot and placing it on your needle. Insert your right-hand needle into the slipknot as if to knit one stitch.
Now, instead of just dropping off the old stitch, slip the new stitch onto the left-hand needle. The new stitch is essentially being knit and slipped at the same time. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle.
Cable Cast On
The cable cast on is a sturdy method that creates a firm and even edge. Begin by making a slipknot and placing it on your needle. Insert your right-hand needle into the slipknot as if to knit one stitch, but instead of slipping it onto the left-hand needle, place it between the two needles.
Now, insert your right-hand needle into the space between the first and second stitches on your left-hand needle. Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle from back to front, and pull it through the stitch, creating a new stitch. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle.
Casting on knitting stitches with needle play is an essential skill for every knitter. It lays the foundation for your project and determines the quality of the finished piece. By mastering different methods such as the long-tail cast on, knitted cast on, and cable cast on, you can choose the technique that best suits your project and achieve professional-looking results.
Now that you have learned these techniques, grab your knitting needles and yarn, and put your new skills to the test. Happy knitting!