Support my work and become a patron: www.patreon.com/nimbleneedlez Believe it or not, but the first cast-on i learned was the longtail cast-on and it's still my favorite and go to method. And check out my second channel as well: th-cam.com/channels/DUgpVfqgFHcFGq-AkhktoQ.html It has short & crisp slow-motion videos for almost all important knitting techniques.
hello i started knitting about 4 years ago i am now 16 and love it. im trying ot make a busniss out of my hobby. i have made around $100. do you have any tips for me also just subbed thanks for the cool videos
@@rjsyarnbarn4596 I'm sorry. For many reasons, some of them legal, I can't give business advice here in the comments. thank you for your understanding.
Until recently, I thought there was only one cast-on method, the longtail cast-on, as that's the one my mother taught me. It's amazing how many there are. Thank you for the tutorial! I love how simple you make everything sound, no unnecessary complications. I'm sure I'll reference this one often in the future.
My grandmother taught me over 50 years ago-she did a series of slip knots to cast on. Even she complained about how tedious it was but never let on there were better ways, so I’m sure she was unaware. I think back to my childhood and regret not knitting more only because I hated the casting on! Now I mostly do longtail-a real game-changer!
Absolute best cast-on tutorial I've ever seen. Concise, efficient, no waffle, and somehow managed to thoroughly show 10 methods in about the time other tutorials show 1 or 2! Thank you!
I am a half German half Scottish Australian. I learned continental knitting from a German cousin when l was about 5, (62 years ago) but she always cast on for me. A Scottish cousin taught me the English method of knitting and the cable method of casting on soon after, but with twisting the new stitch as I put it on the needle. I’ve tried various other methods for various projects and will try some new ones from your wonderful video; but generally l cast on cable in English and knit the rest in German. 😂
I never knew that how you casted on was important for the basis of the next row of stitches! I've been knitting for almost a year now and I've always used single cast on or German twisted cast on for stretchy knits. Just goes to show you learn something new every day :) Thank you for another wonderful tutorial, Norman!
I suspect I’ll be revisiting this video often - what a treasure trove of information! I love how you break down and simplify things Norman, you’re a gifted teacher. I’m a new knitter and first learned the Long Tail Cast On but I never use it. I don’t like the long tail, I usually end up wasting yarn so that I don’t run short, and I just don’t like the way it looks, on ribbing projects especially. One of my go-to’s is the Crochet Cast On. I was a first a crocheter so I find it very familiar to reach for a hook and start casting on, but I also like that I don’t need a long tail, and it makes a pretty edge. I like the German Twisted Cast On for ribbing but you just taught me the tubular cast on - which I know now is based on the Italian Cast On - and I LOVE it!
I was 4 or 5 when I started learning how to knit and crochet (I am 47 now). My Nana taught me the long tail cast on, but a much simpler method. Now I use the slingshot method without a long tail, and sometimes the one with two needles. I first learned English knitting, bur while checking out all the knitting tutorials I could find, I followed you, Norman, to learn continental. It is way easier and faster, especially for anyone with issues with their hands/fingers. I find it to be closer to the way I would crochet using my left hand for the tension and holding the yarn. I love the way you make these so easy. I am also really happy that knitting qnd crocheting have not become lost art forms. It is very encouraging to see so many people of different ages doing these tutorials! Thank you for all the work you put in to this amazing series.
I decided to knit a scarf for my outdoor metal garden goat sculpture who lives in a tree by my porch. I used 1" red plastic survey tape from the hardware store, so the scarf would be weather resistant. It had been 30 years since I picked up needles, and couldn't even remember how to cast on, or bind off. Thank you Norman for such clear tutorials. My project turned out splendidly. I used only a knit stitch, on 10mm needles, and the scarf turned out chunky and nubby. Thanks so much for getting me back into knitting, with this fun project.
I learned the long tailed cast on. I still use it for almost everything. I often run out of tail yarn and need to start all over again. I knew there were substitutes but I haven’t used them much. When I teach kids to knit I teach them the e cast on with the thumb. I hope this is the right name. It gives them an easier start than the long tail. I also teach them my first rule of knitting ( math, spelling, reading, playing a musical instrument and just about anything else) “Don’t say anything about yourself you wouldn’t say to your best friend.” It works for grownups too except adults are used to saying things inside their heads.
Fantastic tutorial, and yes please do continue to sprinkle in tidbits for advanced knitters! As for favourites: I love the i-cord Cast on, which I do a little differently from your second version. I think of it as 'working the edging' as the same time as 'creating the foundation for the body', and recognise that you are essentially knitting in two directions at once - perpendicular. You make-one each time, EITHER at the end or the beginning of the work - so the edging can 'run' in either direction, which is nice if you want two fronts of a jacket or cardigan to mirror each other. Then you 'knit your edging' with the ongoing stitches that you keep slipping back without turning and 'purling back'. The secret, for those who are new to it, is that because you don't purl back but simply slip, the yarn goes directly from the last stitch to the first each row. That means it pulls the last and first stitch together insstead of them staying flat. So it rolls this group of stitches around the bottom of the piece and forms a rolled edge, a kind of self-facing on the wrong side. It looks nice on both sides but slightly different on each side. It can work well with 2, 3 or 4 stitches in the 'edging' stitches. I find that a 4-stitch edging (cast on 5 to start, for the initial 'make one', and keep slipping 4 edging stitches) is enough to be flat for a stocking stitch garment. It can continue nicely as a front edging from an open-front garment like a cardigan or jacket, though you might need to compensate for the 'more stitches to rows' problem you mention (like discreetly work a small decrease on the first row). I like it for garments that I want to be 'less casual' and so don't want ribbing at the bottom. Very nice if you mirror it with an i-cord cast-off at the top.
KUDOs! You are an excellent teacher! Every one of these techniques are explained so well that even a beginner will be able to learn these! I was taught knitting by my neighbor at the age of 4... that was 67 years ago! I am still learning new techniques! Thank you!🤩
You do an excellent job of explaining how to do things. I've been knitting for more than 60 years and learned several new techniques from this video. Thank you for sharing your expertise. My grandmother taught me the long-tail cast on and that's the one I've been using most of my life. Now I have some "new" methods to try.
I just started seriously knitting after trying to learn and giving up several times, and your videos are so helpful and easy to understand! Definitely the best channel I’ve stumbled upon, thank you for making these tutorials :)
I was taught the easy single cast on and still use it to this day, decades later. I didn’t know about the various ways to do it and am excited to give them a try. Fantastic video!
I actually let out a surprised "ooh~" out loud when you showed the knitted cast-on. Every one of your videos I've seen feels like an entire class' worth of knowledge! My first cast-on, and the one I've been using all my lif,e is long-tail - I learned it at school when I was 7, and I didn't even know there were other cast-ons until I seriously got back into knitting about five years ago. I've had to rip out my starting stitches because of miscalculating how much of a tail I need more times than I care to count, but on the other hand, my muscle memory for it is unparalelled.
I usually always use the Longtail CO because it's so easy I can do it without even thinking lol...... I can't afford to waste ANY yarn so I've done the same as you,ripped off my CO to shorten the tail 😄And yeah,,muscle memory is an awesome gift~!!
My mum taught me the knitted cast-on when I was small. Around 50 years later, I started knitting again using the thumb cast-on method, as all the other methods seemed so complicated. Your wonderful video has de-mystified the cast-on techniques, and I'll definitely be using it to help me start using some different methods.
My mother taught me the knit cast on and I never used anything else. I had heard and seen in my knitting books other techniques, especially the single cast on, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it without a live demonstration & explaination to follow. I am hoping to teach a beginner knitting elective to 7th and 8th graders next semester where I teach, so I came here to learn at least one other cast on method. Now I can teach the students both single and knit cast on, so they will have a stretchy and a solid technique to use. And now I do too! Thank you! 😊
“I love you Norman”, is my response whenever I start to watch one of your videos. The first time I said it my husband turned and said “Who’s Norman?” 20 years ago I owned a knitting shop and taught knitting. What I wouldn’t have given to have had your videos. I would have sat my customers down, had them watch your video on the skill in question and THEN worked with them to perfect it. What a great thing that would have been. I have been knitting for sixty years and still learn something every time I watch. Keep it coming.
hope he is not of the jealous type *smirk* And yeah..i can totally udnerstand that sentiment. i learned knitting with books and the basic from my relatives..that definitely was harder!
The single cast-on was my first and then I learned (as you have shown) that every cast-on has its own characteristic (i.e. firm or stretchy); so, now I am able to carefully choose the cast-on perfect for each project. I LOVE the provisional cast-on which is currently my new favorite. I tend to 'design on the needle' as I knit along and so being able to grow the work from both ends is appealing to me and magical! And the picot cast-on using the provisional yarn is such a beautiful effect...again, like magic! I will come back to this vlog again and again...what a great resource it is...thank you, thank you!
you are most welcome Michael. And I too love provisional cast-on projects. It's a bit of a pain in the.... but the outcome more than makes up for it ^^
I learned the knitted cast on first. That way I didn’t have something to learn that I only used once in a project and I didn’t have to calculate a ‘long tail’. My favorite cast on is the Chinese Waitress cast on, it gives you a cast on that looks crocheted on both sides. There is no wrong side, so it works for patterns that start with a right side as well as a wrong side.
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you. I was taught to knit by my gran when I was a child but never had the patience for it until 30+ years later. She taught me the knitted cast on using 2 needles. I've recently found the long tail cast on method which had become my favourite, but now after watching this I am going to experiment with some of these methods. I never knew there were so many different cast on methods. I have only recently found your YT channel and love it. Your explanations are perfect. Thank you for all the time you spend on it
I'm a lifelong crocheter and I taught myself to knit about 15 years ago. At that time I did a very simple single needle cast-on. Currently I start all my projects with a two needle knitted cast-on.
I started knitting two months ago and crocheting a week ago and I learned the knitted cast on and always used that, and the tubular cast on for working in circular with straight needles (I still have to buy circular needles!) Thank you for explaining very well all the differences between these cast on!
First method my mother taught me was the cable cast on, as we knit the British way it's a bit easier for us. Love the picot edge, I'll use it for socks. You are an inspiration!
Fascinating tutorial! My mom taught me the long tail cast on over 2 needles almost 60 years ago. Then, learning how to relax in the process, I only used one needle. This method lasted me over 50 years until I began knitting socks. Toe up with Turkish cast on, then top down. I soon realized I needed a stretchier cast on. I chose the twisted German cast on. After knitting close to 500 baby hats with the long tail, I very recently discovered the knit & purl twisted German cast on which is simply stunning on baby hats ~ both visually & in stretchiness. Thank you, Norman for your inspiring YT tutorials!
I really appreciate how you make such an effort to actually *teach* instead of just showing us how to do it. Your skill is truly inspiring and every time I see a video of yours I'm itching to pick up my needles
I started with long-tail cast on and had been using it for decades, until I learned to crochet. Then I found a cast on using a crochet needle, loved the simplicity and am now using it for all projects, unless the pattern requires something else. Thank you for your videos, I've learned so much from you 🌻
This is wonderful Norman! You know what would also be wonderful? If you did an Ultimate Guide version of all the "cast off" methods that you know :) I usually struggle to figure out what cast off to do for a stiff bind off vs. stretchy one, how to bind off brioche knitting or double knitting? I know you already have a series of individual videos for this, but a single video that we can go to everytime (like this one) would be amazing :)
I used the German cast on the most for years until recently I bought several of Kutovakika Finish pattern and she used all Single cast on.. You are right the first row is a little difficult to start. You are the very best teacher on line . What Admired you the most is how even your finishes products almost like a machine knits.
This is the most amazing knit guide/tutorial I’ve ever found. I’m glad it was only made 10 months by this point so I wouldn’t feel bad about missing it for years 😆 I’m so SO appreciative about the notes on the stretchiness, the variations, and warnings. It’s all I could want in a lesson!! I’m grateful to have this knowledge. Now onward into figuring out how to make my cast-off end of my scarves match my cast-ons
Thank you so much for this and all of your tutorials. I have recommended them to so many of my friends. Your tutorials are so easy to follow and explain that there are many ways to get the same result. I particularly appreciate the suggestions on making my knitting neater and more finished looking.
I've been knitting for a year and the long tail method has been my go-to so far unless I need something specific, but the purled knitted cast-on you show here is just beautiful! I'd never seen it by purling before and I'm definitely going to start implementing it from now on.
When I was a child, probably 7 years old, I was given a little beginner kit by my eldest sister. She was learning to knit from her new friend who was an expert continental knitter. So my sister taught me the long-tail cast on and that’s all I ever knew existed until You Tube captured my inquisitive exploration. Nowadays I am only knitting prayer shawls and I can’t tell you how many times I have had to unravel my cast-on because I ran out of yarn before reaching the required number of stitches. 😠 So I went searching for alternatives. I appreciate this video with so many variations in one place. I will definitely be trying those cast-on methods that use the working yarn only, leaving just that short tail at the beginning. I also used the two-ball method once but forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder!
Wow! So many new ways of casting on! I first learned the wrap around a single needle (similar to Turkish cast-on) with the first row in knit stitch. I was 7 years old, and was taught it in elementary school in England. When I came home and showed my mother how I cast on, she was horrified! She then proceeded to teach me the longtail cast-on (2 needle method). It was rather arduous, as she had been taught to knit in Poland, plus I was left-handed (she was right-handed). A lot of tears and frustration but we both managed to survive (!!) and that's the way I've been casting on ever since (60+ years!). I've only recently discovered your videos, but thank you so much! You've given me a renewed love for knitting!
I learn at 7 the single cast on....I started knitting again a few years ago and with TH-cam a learn so much.....the long tail casting is what i use now....almost finished my second sweater.....🤗🤗🤗
Thank you so much Norman! I used to hate casting on but this slingshot technique combined with the two-skeins trick is brilliant! Will never have to worry about a too short tail again. Thank you
I started with long tail, then picked up knitting cast on. I now knit socks and use Judy’s magic cast in. I will try the Turkish cast on. This is a wonderful tutorial. Thank you
Learned the German method, but mostly use the longtail cast on. It realy depends on the project. For caps I now single crochet the number of stitches I need, connect them and then I pick up my stiches through the backbump of that crocheted string. I just like the braided look on the edge. I used the provision cast on like you did, to make the cuffs on a sweater I did for my niece.
Thank you for your tutorial. I found some of your little films two years ago. Now I’m starting a new project and I knew I had to be able to knit two ways. I wasn’t familiar with the term provisional cast on. But I thought let’s look at your cast on techniques. And yes, exactly what I needed. Thank you, you made my day! What I learned first is the long tail method. Bye, Hilke
Thank you Norman, this was an informative video and I appreciate having the different options all in one video! When I started to knit, I learned the single cast-on. Now, my go-to cast-on is the longtail cast-on.
I first learned the knitted cast on. I am now using the long tail cast on, switching between knit and purl stitches as per pattern, which is a technique I learned from one of your videos. Thank you so much for sharing all of your knowledge. I'm an advanced beginner, and every time I find myself getting frustrated or confused I look up what you have to say on the subject and you get me right back on track! BTW, sooo happy I found your Patreon!!
I learned to knit from a booklet I bought in a yarn shop(40 or so years ago). It only showed the single cast on. I somehow learned the long-tail cast on later on, but I do admit, I have played 'yarn chicken' with the tail and have frogged a cast on that was just a few stitches lacking. Thanks so much for explaining and demonstrating, I look forward to trying some of these.
My Grandma taught me single cast on with throw style (or English...not completely sure) back when I was in my teens. I got so frustrated with how "SLOW" knitting was that I set it aside and haven't touched it again for a VERY LONG time! I've become an avid crocheter instead. However, I recently saw a video on YT where it showed someone knitting. As I watched it, I realized that he wasn't knitting the way I was taught! "WAIT.....there's more than one way to knit????!!!" After doing some more research, I tried Continental style and (with minor personal adjustments) I LOVE it!!! It is SOOOO much faster for me! It has given me hope that I may actually be able to learn how to knit now as well. I stumbled on your channel(s) through my research and I LOVE what you are teaching! This video especially, I was like, "wait....you can cast on purl-wise as well??!!" I will DEFINITELY be going back to this video LOTS in the future to try new things! I'm currently working on a simple stockinette shawl that I will crochet an edge around when I get done, but I already am debating which of the several projects I've found I want to start next! I'm leaning towards a pair of socks, but I don't have any circular needles, so we'll see. I'm hoping maybe Santa will assist with that. ;) ;) Keep up the GREAT videos and know that there is someone "across the pond" who is eagerly learning new things from you. :) --Trudi in Mid-Missouri, USA
yeah, a lot of "hookers" (:p) say the same thing...continental is so much easier for them as they can hold the yarn the same way. Keeping my fingers crossed santa brings the right thing..and you know..a little nudge might help *grin*
I learnt the cable cast-on first when I was about 8, though I didn't know what it was called - it's just the way Nana showed me. The only difference between "my" cable cast-on and yours is that I twist the stitch as I'm putting it on the needle. I knit English style so this is a very easy cast-on for me. Fifty-two years later, it's still my most used cast-on and my favourite. I didn't even know there were other ways until 10 or so years ago when I started using the internet. I do use many others, but this is my favourite.
I too learnt cable cast on first. My Mother taught me and also at school. Now I use lon tail cast on because it is a bit more stretchy. However, when I use the long tail cast on, the tail end starts to un-twist and the ball end gets tighter. On a long piece of work this becomes a problem. Have you a solution?
@@beckysherman2987 you have to stop every couple of stitches and let the yarn balance itself, then pick the yarn up again. Or be very careful not to twist it as you wrapit around your thumb.
I read Cheryl's comment and thought she was talking about me! My mum taught me how to knit, about 53 years ago and snap! Cable cast on and still my go to method.
Same here. 62 yo. Taught the cable cast on by my mother in England. She had been taught by her mother and never knew there was another way. I wish she had, because our sweater necks were always so hard to get our heads through when we were kids! 😁
Thank you for such an interesting and enlightening video, it's the first time I've viewed your channel (but it won't be the last). I've spent many years machine knitting and whilst the techniques are different, the end result often looks the same. I'm just starting to get back to hand knitting, I can do this sitting on the sofa 😉, so I'm brushing up on methods etc. I'm an 'awkward' but neat hand knitter but impatient so I like chunky yarns. With severe arthritis in my hands (the joys of aging) and a upper limb disability some of the methods you show would be too difficult for me but I was fascinated watching techniques I've never seen before. When I learned to knit, I used the 'thumb' method to cast on but now use the cable one; I'm English so for me, it's easy & neat.
frustrated with the tightness of the single cast on, and never confident in determining a length for a long-tail cast on, i came here only in search of a new method that would avoid these problems. you are supremely knowledgeable and your talent for teaching in such a clear, understandable manner is so admirable. i learned far more than i came here for! thank you for this wonderful video :)
A very interesting and informative tutorial. Thank you. I first learned to knit at school (age 5), Scottish style with long straight needles, one tucked under the armpit. We were taught the knitted cast on and I hated it because it always looked loopy and loose and I thought I was a bad knitter. Then my mother showed me how to cast on using the thumb method, but the stitch was knitted off the thumb, not just placed on the needle as in the backward loop. I’m 72 now and still learning new things. I knit a lot of socks nowadays, and always use the German twisted cast on which I learned through tutorials such as yours. Incidentally, I only recently discovered that the knitted cast on is used in Shetland for the knitting of fine lace shawls, and now I see that there is a purpose for that loopy edge!
I am an avid crocheter and have been trying to learn how to knit for a while now--this video helps a lot and for some reasons makes me very happy when I see how you do the different methods of casting on. thank you very much for this!
I learned the long tail cast on as 8 yo from my grandmother, I still use it almost every time I start a knitting project. This way I can mirror the stitches to get the purl or knit cast on stitch for rib edges as needed. Just so simple. I always hold the tail around my thumb, but I don’t know if it really makes any difference. Also when I cast on more than 40-50 stitches I start with 10 stitches, then undo them and measure the yarn length used to multiply to get a sufficient tail length for my total number of cast on stitches. Also I always cast on on either bigger or two needles. Thank you Norman for another brilliant video 🤩 you rock! 🤟
I learnt cable cast on as a child from a book - Mum knitted too fast to teach me her cast on which she said was better. I absolutely love this video! You have solved my biggest problem with long tail cast on. I never thought to use another ball. Also, I am AMAZED at the stretchiness of the Italian cast on. I have been showing my partner my little swatch - "See how stretchy it is! And I didn't use a double needle!" They're not impressed but their next pair of socks should slip over their heel like a bought one.
single cast-on was the first I ever learned but you've absolutely given me a brand-new appreciation -- both for how versatile it is but also how to do it properly! also I want to try some of these more complex ones as well. thank you so much for the marvelous video!
I began with the single cast on, shown to me by my grandmother. However, instead of using my thumb, I'd use my 1st finger. Now, I typically use the knitted cast on or the German tail cast on. This being said, I was thrilled to discover that I've actually learned all of these cast on stitches with the various lessons and projects I've taken over the past few years. Thank you for the video, so helpful! ❤
Getting back into knitting for the first time in a while and I've been binging your video series. Your stich marker tips and tricks video has been a lifesaver, I love threading my lightbulb markers though my circular needles instead of putting on stoppers every time. I learned the knit on methods from my grandmother. She tried to teach me another method when I was a kid, but the knit on was what stuck. I make a lot of scarves and such (I live in a cold area so everyone needs them) and I love the eyelets it creates for when it comes time to add a fringe. It also looks good with a feather and fan or anything with nice big open stitches.
I'm a knew knitter, and I love all of this different cast on. I think you're AWESOME taking your time to show us all this Wonderful cast on. Thank you.
Best Cast on video ever!!! At the begging I was using Single Cast on and now a variation of the Long Tail Cast on. Many thanks for sharing !! I cannot wait to try different variations!!!
Wonderful video! Such good explanations! After much elementary knitting, I’m curious about all these different cast ones I’ve been avoiding for so long! I was taught long tail cast on as a child by just using one thumb. I guess I also learned knit & purl around that same time - probably when living in Kansas. No one in my family knitted, so I promptly forgot it & took up sewing instead. In my late 60’s, I wandered into a yarn shop in Vermont & was blown away by the beautiful wool. I bought some yarn & was astonished to find that my fingers remembered how to do the English-style long tail cast on! 🧶
I am a self taught knitter and for years have been unable to figure out the German cast on method from the illustrations in books. At last I'll be able to use it! Thank you for your excellent instructions. I'm so glad I found your channel!
Being from the UK I learned everything knitting the UK way. I don't know what it would be called. I'm opening an Etsy Store with handmade gifts. On the pair of baby mittens the cast on had a huge knot which was the slip knot and it was all loopy. The cast on itself looked ugly. So now I'm looking for a better alternative. I found a nice stretchy method which I've been using but it produces almost a double row of cast on stitches which I think would be too bulky for these tiny baby mittens. I love your technical explanations. I'm somewhat dyslexic and struggle to maintain correct stitch/pattern placement. You taught me to learn how to 'read' my work and it has made such a big difference to my accuracy and the quality of my finished products. But perfection is hard and if you are going to sell your projects they need to be perfect. Thank you for your incredible teaching!!!
i am an absolute novice but I feel that soon I'll be picking up the needles again. This is the boost I need, the inspiration to kick me in the seat. Thank you so much.
My mom & school taught me English knitting. Cable cast on is the first technique I was taught and I use it to this day. I want to expand my horizons though which is why I am watching this video. Thanks for your detailed explanations Norman.😊
I was taught the long tail cast-on 55 years ago. So interesting to see all the other ways to cast on. I am teaching one of my granddaughters to knit so the easier method of casting on will be so much better for her!
Coming back to knitting afters 10 years of giving it up. I found I just could not learn from thos diagrams in books. I need to see someone doing it! These videos are perfect for me. Thanks. Also, started with thumb cast on, then learned knitted cast on. A few days ago I learned the German long tail cast on, but I never knew which one I should use with which project. Again, thanks!
Thank you for clearly showing the different appearance from all angles for these different techniques! A lot of videos show how to do something, but they don't give a good view of the finished product so we can decide if it's appropriate for our project.
I'm an Australian and knit using the English method and learned to cast on using the cable cast on. Thanks for this great tutorial. I loved learning some of the different methods to cast on
Oh my god…. I am a seasoned knitter and I’ve tried almost all weird (or not))) ways of casting on to find the perfect way, but the idea of creating picot and then proceed with a rib… this is simply genius
I've been Crocheting for 45 years and * finally * learned to Knit this last year! Of course, my favorite Cast-on is with the crochet hook. But I 😘 be the idea of some of these!
Sorry I am new to making comments here as well, hit enter by mistake a second ago. I did want to say that I have learned what I do know about knitting from videos and books as I do not know anyone in my circle of friends who knits. Norman you and your videos are my favorite!! You make it clear, I like your attitude and you are easy to listen to. Thank you for sharing so much with all of us!!
I learnt with the knitted cast on method, but after finishing my most recent project, I wasn't happy with how stiff the top was, nor how difficult the first row is to knit. So I saw the single cast on and I fell for it. So I tried it with my current project. It's PER-FECT! But then I realised that I don't knit "normally". haha I'm left-handed, but I knit as a right-handed person in the way I hold my needles, but all the while holding the yarn like a left-hander. Still, I was able to manage the single cast on perfectly and I love it. It makes the top of the project (in this case, a shirt) so much more flexible! Thank you for your fantastic tutorials, Norman! :)
Mind is blown!! This excites me to pick up my needles again... I have been devoting my spare time to crochet but have been missing my circulars! Thanks for the inspiration and amazing tips and techniques!
Norman, you are the answer to my knitting dreams! Because of you and your videos I have gone back to knitting after *many* years (I am a crocheter because knitting was frustrating) . I started out with the simple cast on but it didn't have enough structure. I went to the long tail and love it, but have frogged my cast on SO many times because I mis-judged the length. I am getting pretty good practice! Even wrapping the needle with the # of stitches didn't work! I am looking forward to trying the knitted and Turkish cast ons. They didn't make sense before, but I feel confident I can do them now with your help. I have subscribed to your channel and learn many new things with each of your videos. Thank you!!!
I started knitting over 50 years ago and learned the single cast on from a book. And that is what I still use! I am watching this video to learn a better way.
The first method I learnt was the single cast one, when I was about 7. I then learnt the long tail cast on and that has been my go to ever since. I'm here to learn other versions.
I oiginally learned with the knitted cast-on now I always use the cable cast-on, I'm an english knitter. I love your provisional cast-on method! How good is you tube to help us find people like you!!
My mom taught me the long tail cast on with the twisted loop of the italian cast on at the beginning so it kinda feels like you're doing two loops at the same time with the first slingshot movement. Thank you for the guide, it's perfectly explained and clear. I even learned the long tail cast on makes knits, i was surprised and amazed about all the variations. You're an amazing teacher!
I was taught, and have always used, the cable cast on BUT with a twisted stitch transfer. And yes, I use the English throw technique when knitting. I'm Australia so it was the way I was taught by my mother and Scottish grandmother. I'm loving learning more, and better, ways to cast on for different stitches and projects. Thank you Norman.
Thank you very much for posting your videos. My husband is trying to learn to knit to have something to do while confined to our home from COVID and his recent diagnosis. I do truly appreciate the simplicity in which you describe how to knit.
Since I do Portuguese style knitting, I learned the Portuguese cast-on first. I love it because it's based on the Portuguese style purl, which is so super easy (we prefer purling over knitting!), and the cast-on is also super easy.
Norman you are an excellent knitter. I am very new to knitting. Watching you I know I will learn a lot. I am so glad I found you. I am from San Diego. Thank you I will continue to watch you and will update you of my progress. ❤
I was so engrossed with this video I forgot to take notes! It's a good thing I can save it as I will be watching it many times over! You have excellent speaking skills! I've watched many others lately as I'm trying to teach myself how to knit. You stayed on target: named the stitch, taught us how to achieve it, and showed the end result for each one! I'll definitely be looking for more of your videos! I just want to make a simple sweater and a pair of socks. I can crochet, but I've never made those items. Knitting has always looked difficult to me, but I'm able to make a knit stitch and just started the purl stitch yesterday! Trying to find my comfort zone with my hands. Watching you work the thread through your hands definitely made a difference for me!💙
I was taught the cable and knitted cast ons as a child in the 50s, when I returned to hand knitting a few years ago I learnt loads of other cast ons and use the one most appropriate to my project, I enjoy using different techniques.
Learned the single cast on from my Mother but she used her index finger. I knit mostly socks and use the old Norwegian cast on. Great video. Thank you.
Support my work and become a patron: www.patreon.com/nimbleneedlez
Believe it or not, but the first cast-on i learned was the longtail cast-on and it's still my favorite and go to method.
And check out my second channel as well: th-cam.com/channels/DUgpVfqgFHcFGq-AkhktoQ.html
It has short & crisp slow-motion videos for almost all important knitting techniques.
hello i started knitting about 4 years ago i am now 16 and love it. im trying ot make a busniss out of my hobby. i have made around $100. do you have any tips for me
also just subbed thanks for the cool videos
@@rjsyarnbarn4596 I'm sorry. For many reasons, some of them legal, I can't give business advice here in the comments. thank you for your understanding.
@@NimbleNeedles i understand!
Are you going to do a video like this one about binding off as well?
@@shannongwiazda4678 possibly yeah. it's on my list at least :)
Until recently, I thought there was only one cast-on method, the longtail cast-on, as that's the one my mother taught me. It's amazing how many there are. Thank you for the tutorial! I love how simple you make everything sound, no unnecessary complications. I'm sure I'll reference this one often in the future.
please do...that's why I sort of created it!.
same here only ever used long-tail but I knew that there were other. just not how to do them.
A great book with tons of different ways is Cast On, Bind Off. I bought all kinds of books because I only learned about 10 years ago.
@@NimbleNeedles Thank you soooooo much!🙏❤ I found your Etsy shop. I will send the picture there. Thanks again!🙏😊
@@tlojewelrylove hmm..my etsy store is for buying stuff. It's not meant as a conversion channel.
My grandmother taught me over 50 years ago-she did a series of slip knots to cast on. Even she complained about how tedious it was but never let on there were better ways, so I’m sure she was unaware. I think back to my childhood and regret not knitting more only because I hated the casting on! Now I mostly do longtail-a real game-changer!
Absolute best cast-on tutorial I've ever seen. Concise, efficient, no waffle, and somehow managed to thoroughly show 10 methods in about the time other tutorials show 1 or 2! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your experience with the lovely tips and techniques.
I use the different techniques depending on project.
I am a half German half Scottish Australian. I learned continental knitting from a German cousin when l was about 5, (62 years ago) but she always cast on for me. A Scottish cousin taught me the English method of knitting and the cable method of casting on soon after, but with twisting the new stitch as I put it on the needle. I’ve tried various other methods for various projects and will try some new ones from your wonderful video; but generally l cast on cable in English and knit the rest in German. 😂
I never knew that how you casted on was important for the basis of the next row of stitches! I've been knitting for almost a year now and I've always used single cast on or German twisted cast on for stretchy knits. Just goes to show you learn something new every day :) Thank you for another wonderful tutorial, Norman!
I suspect I’ll be revisiting this video often - what a treasure trove of information! I love how you break down and simplify things Norman, you’re a gifted teacher. I’m a new knitter and first learned the Long Tail Cast On but I never use it. I don’t like the long tail, I usually end up wasting yarn so that I don’t run short, and I just don’t like the way it looks, on ribbing projects especially. One of my go-to’s is the Crochet Cast On. I was a first a crocheter so I find it very familiar to reach for a hook and start casting on, but I also like that I don’t need a long tail, and it makes a pretty edge. I like the German Twisted Cast On for ribbing but you just taught me the tubular cast on - which I know now is based on the Italian Cast On - and I LOVE it!
it's truly perfect for ribbing and looks sooooo neat!
How come it’s all blokes who are the best knitting tutors?
😂 Woolly mansplainers!
@@Threemore650 Norman is great, but there are some wonderful women teachers too, like Roxanne Richardson.
@@tracyvision I like mansplain.
As someone who is back here for like the fifth time now, this checks out!
I was 4 or 5 when I started learning how to knit and crochet (I am 47 now). My Nana taught me the long tail cast on, but a much simpler method. Now I use the slingshot method without a long tail, and sometimes the one with two needles. I first learned English knitting, bur while checking out all the knitting tutorials I could find, I followed you, Norman, to learn continental. It is way easier and faster, especially for anyone with issues with their hands/fingers. I find it to be closer to the way I would crochet using my left hand for the tension and holding the yarn. I love the way you make these so easy.
I am also really happy that knitting qnd crocheting have not become lost art forms. It is very encouraging to see so many people of different ages doing these tutorials! Thank you for all the work you put in to this amazing series.
I decided to knit a scarf for my outdoor metal garden goat sculpture who lives in a tree by my porch. I used 1" red plastic survey tape from the hardware store, so the scarf would be weather resistant. It had been 30 years since I picked up needles, and couldn't even remember how to cast on, or bind off. Thank you Norman for such clear tutorials. My project turned out splendidly. I used only a knit stitch, on 10mm needles, and the scarf turned out chunky and nubby. Thanks so much for getting me back into knitting, with this fun project.
I learned the long tailed cast on. I still use it for almost everything. I often run out of tail yarn and need to start all over again. I knew there were substitutes but I haven’t used them much. When
I teach kids to knit I teach them the e cast on with the thumb. I hope this is the right name. It gives them an easier start than the long tail. I also teach them my first rule of knitting ( math, spelling, reading, playing a musical instrument and just about anything else) “Don’t say anything about yourself you wouldn’t say to your best friend.” It works for grownups too except adults are used to saying things inside their heads.
Fantastic tutorial, and yes please do continue to sprinkle in tidbits for advanced knitters!
As for favourites: I love the i-cord Cast on, which I do a little differently from your second version. I think of it as 'working the edging' as the same time as 'creating the foundation for the body', and recognise that you are essentially knitting in two directions at once - perpendicular. You make-one each time, EITHER at the end or the beginning of the work - so the edging can 'run' in either direction, which is nice if you want two fronts of a jacket or cardigan to mirror each other. Then you 'knit your edging' with the ongoing stitches that you keep slipping back without turning and 'purling back'. The secret, for those who are new to it, is that because you don't purl back but simply slip, the yarn goes directly from the last stitch to the first each row. That means it pulls the last and first stitch together insstead of them staying flat. So it rolls this group of stitches around the bottom of the piece and forms a rolled edge, a kind of self-facing on the wrong side. It looks nice on both sides but slightly different on each side.
It can work well with 2, 3 or 4 stitches in the 'edging' stitches. I find that a 4-stitch edging (cast on 5 to start, for the initial 'make one', and keep slipping 4 edging stitches) is enough to be flat for a stocking stitch garment. It can continue nicely as a front edging from an open-front garment like a cardigan or jacket, though you might need to compensate for the 'more stitches to rows' problem you mention (like discreetly work a small decrease on the first row).
I like it for garments that I want to be 'less casual' and so don't want ribbing at the bottom.
Very nice if you mirror it with an i-cord cast-off at the top.
KUDOs! You are an excellent teacher! Every one of these techniques are explained so well that even a beginner will be able to learn these! I was taught knitting by my neighbor at the age of 4...
that was 67 years ago!
I am still learning new techniques! Thank you!🤩
You're very welcome!
You do an excellent job of explaining how to do things. I've been knitting for more than 60 years and learned several new techniques from this video. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
My grandmother taught me the long-tail cast on and that's the one I've been using most of my life. Now I have some "new" methods to try.
I just started seriously knitting after trying to learn and giving up several times, and your videos are so helpful and easy to understand! Definitely the best channel I’ve stumbled upon, thank you for making these tutorials :)
aww..thank you so much Emmeline
I was taught the easy single cast on and still use it to this day, decades later. I didn’t know about the various ways to do it and am excited to give them a try. Fantastic video!
I actually let out a surprised "ooh~" out loud when you showed the knitted cast-on. Every one of your videos I've seen feels like an entire class' worth of knowledge!
My first cast-on, and the one I've been using all my lif,e is long-tail - I learned it at school when I was 7, and I didn't even know there were other cast-ons until I seriously got back into knitting about five years ago. I've had to rip out my starting stitches because of miscalculating how much of a tail I need more times than I care to count, but on the other hand, my muscle memory for it is unparalelled.
ha..that's the spirit. Always look at the bright side of things!
I usually always use the Longtail CO because it's so easy I can do it without even thinking lol......
I can't afford to waste ANY yarn so I've done the same as you,ripped off my CO to shorten the tail 😄And yeah,,muscle memory is an awesome gift~!!
Wrap the yarn around your needle as many times as the number of stitches you want to cast on (then unwrap it 😅), that will be the length you need
@@isabelg6841 an interesting tip, thank you.🧶
My mum taught me the knitted cast-on when I was small. Around 50 years later, I started knitting again using the thumb cast-on method, as all the other methods seemed so complicated. Your wonderful video has de-mystified the cast-on techniques, and I'll definitely be using it to help me start using some different methods.
My mother taught me the knit cast on and I never used anything else. I had heard and seen in my knitting books other techniques, especially the single cast on, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it without a live demonstration & explaination to follow. I am hoping to teach a beginner knitting elective to 7th and 8th graders next semester where I teach, so I came here to learn at least one other cast on method. Now I can teach the students both single and knit cast on, so they will have a stretchy and a solid technique to use. And now I do too! Thank you! 😊
“I love you Norman”, is my response whenever I start to watch one of your videos. The first time I said it my husband turned and said “Who’s Norman?” 20 years ago I owned a knitting shop and taught knitting. What I wouldn’t have given to have had your videos. I would have sat my customers down, had them watch your video on the skill in question and THEN worked with them to perfect it. What a great thing that would have been. I have been knitting for sixty years and still learn something every time I watch. Keep it coming.
hope he is not of the jealous type *smirk*
And yeah..i can totally udnerstand that sentiment. i learned knitting with books and the basic from my relatives..that definitely was harder!
The single cast-on was my first and then I learned (as you have shown) that every cast-on has its own characteristic (i.e. firm or stretchy); so, now I am able to carefully choose the cast-on perfect for each project.
I LOVE the provisional cast-on which is currently my new favorite. I tend to 'design on the needle' as I knit along and so being able to grow the work from both ends is appealing to me and magical! And the picot cast-on using the provisional yarn is such a beautiful effect...again, like magic!
I will come back to this vlog again and again...what a great resource it is...thank you, thank you!
you are most welcome Michael. And I too love provisional cast-on projects. It's a bit of a pain in the.... but the outcome more than makes up for it ^^
I learned to cast on by wrapping yarn around left thumb, inserting needle
throwing yarn around it. This was about 55 years ago. Things have improved!
I learned the knitted cast on first. That way I didn’t have something to learn that I only used once in a project and I didn’t have to calculate a ‘long tail’. My favorite cast on is the Chinese Waitress cast on, it gives you a cast on that looks crocheted on both sides. There is no wrong side, so it works for patterns that start with a right side as well as a wrong side.
Oh, thanks for mentioning the Chinese Waitress cast on! I just looked it up and I love it already!
I love the Chinese waitress cast on as well. It makes a beautiful cast on edge. Very neat and clean.
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you. I was taught to knit by my gran when I was a child but never had the patience for it until 30+ years later. She taught me the knitted cast on using 2 needles. I've recently found the long tail cast on method which had become my favourite, but now after watching this I am going to experiment with some of these methods. I never knew there were so many different cast on methods. I have only recently found your YT channel and love it. Your explanations are perfect. Thank you for all the time you spend on it
a somewhat belated welcome to my channel then. glad my explanations work so well for you.
I'm a lifelong crocheter and I taught myself to knit about 15 years ago. At that time I did a very simple single needle cast-on. Currently I start all my projects with a two needle knitted cast-on.
I started knitting two months ago and crocheting a week ago and I learned the knitted cast on and always used that, and the tubular cast on for working in circular with straight needles (I still have to buy circular needles!)
Thank you for explaining very well all the differences between these cast on!
First method my mother taught me was the cable cast on, as we knit the British way it's a bit easier for us. Love the picot edge, I'll use it for socks. You are an inspiration!
Fascinating tutorial! My mom taught me the long tail cast on over 2 needles almost 60 years ago. Then, learning how to relax in the process, I only used one needle. This method lasted me over 50 years until I began knitting socks. Toe up with Turkish cast on, then top down. I soon realized I needed a stretchier cast on. I chose the twisted German cast on. After knitting close to 500 baby hats with the long tail, I very recently discovered the knit & purl twisted German cast on which is simply stunning on baby hats ~ both visually & in stretchiness. Thank you, Norman for your inspiring YT tutorials!
This is such an unique channel! Thank you sooo much for all the free information!! - Crocheter here learning to knit 🙋🏼♀
I really appreciate how you make such an effort to actually *teach* instead of just showing us how to do it. Your skill is truly inspiring and every time I see a video of yours I'm itching to pick up my needles
I started with long-tail cast on and had been using it for decades, until I learned to crochet. Then I found a cast on using a crochet needle, loved the simplicity and am now using it for all projects, unless the pattern requires something else. Thank you for your videos, I've learned so much from you 🌻
This is wonderful Norman! You know what would also be wonderful? If you did an Ultimate Guide version of all the "cast off" methods that you know :) I usually struggle to figure out what cast off to do for a stiff bind off vs. stretchy one, how to bind off brioche knitting or double knitting? I know you already have a series of individual videos for this, but a single video that we can go to everytime (like this one) would be amazing :)
other's have already expressed this need. I'll see what I can do :)
Yes, I agree, that would be awesome🤗🤗
Truly casting off has so many ways I’ve forgotten! I’d love an “Ultimate” compilation video.
I used the German cast on the most for years until recently I bought several of Kutovakika Finish pattern and she used all Single cast on.. You are right the first row is a little difficult to start. You are the very best teacher on line . What Admired you the most is how even your finishes products almost like a machine knits.
This is the most amazing knit guide/tutorial I’ve ever found. I’m glad it was only made 10 months by this point so I wouldn’t feel bad about missing it for years 😆 I’m so SO appreciative about the notes on the stretchiness, the variations, and warnings. It’s all I could want in a lesson!! I’m grateful to have this knowledge. Now onward into figuring out how to make my cast-off end of my scarves match my cast-ons
Thank you so much for this and all of your tutorials. I have recommended them to so many of my friends. Your tutorials are so easy to follow and explain that there are many ways to get the same result. I particularly appreciate the suggestions on making my knitting neater and more finished looking.
I've been knitting for a year and the long tail method has been my go-to so far unless I need something specific, but the purled knitted cast-on you show here is just beautiful! I'd never seen it by purling before and I'm definitely going to start implementing it from now on.
When I was a child, probably 7 years old, I was given a little beginner kit by my eldest sister. She was learning to knit from her new friend who was an expert continental knitter. So my sister taught me the long-tail cast on and that’s all I ever knew existed until You Tube captured my inquisitive exploration. Nowadays I am only knitting prayer shawls and I can’t tell you how many times I have had to unravel my cast-on because I ran out of yarn before reaching the required number of stitches. 😠 So I went searching for alternatives. I appreciate this video with so many variations in one place. I will definitely be trying those cast-on methods that use the working yarn only, leaving just that short tail at the beginning. I also used the two-ball method once but forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder!
Wow! So many new ways of casting on! I first learned the wrap around a single needle (similar to Turkish cast-on) with the first row in knit stitch. I was 7 years old, and was taught it in elementary school in England. When I came home and showed my mother how I cast on, she was horrified! She then proceeded to teach me the longtail cast-on (2 needle method). It was rather arduous, as she had been taught to knit in Poland, plus I was left-handed (she was right-handed). A lot of tears and frustration but we both managed to survive (!!) and that's the way I've been casting on ever since (60+ years!). I've only recently discovered your videos, but thank you so much! You've given me a renewed love for knitting!
I learn at 7 the single cast on....I started knitting again a few years ago and with TH-cam a learn so much.....the long tail casting is what i use now....almost finished my second sweater.....🤗🤗🤗
Thank you so much Norman! I used to hate casting on but this slingshot technique combined with the two-skeins trick is brilliant! Will never have to worry about a too short tail again. Thank you
Likewise! So many times I would come up short. Now, no worries.
I started with long tail, then picked up knitting cast on. I now knit socks and use Judy’s magic cast in. I will try the Turkish cast on. This is a wonderful tutorial. Thank you
Learned the German method, but mostly use the longtail cast on. It realy depends on the project.
For caps I now single crochet the number of stitches I need, connect them and then I pick up my stiches through the backbump of that crocheted string. I just like the braided look on the edge.
I used the provision cast on like you did, to make the cuffs on a sweater I did for my niece.
Thank you for your tutorial. I found some of your little films two years ago. Now I’m starting a new project and I knew I had to be able to knit two ways. I wasn’t familiar with the term provisional cast on. But I thought let’s look at your cast on techniques. And yes, exactly what I needed. Thank you, you made my day!
What I learned first is the long tail method. Bye, Hilke
Thank you Norman, this was an informative video and I appreciate having the different options all in one video! When I started to knit, I learned the single cast-on. Now, my go-to cast-on is the longtail cast-on.
Thank you so much 😘 knitting techniques are much easier today than 50+ years ago. Thank you for all that you do.🌺🌹🇵🇷🇺🇲🙋🏽🥰❤️
I first learned the knitted cast on. I am now using the long tail cast on, switching between knit and purl stitches as per pattern, which is a technique I learned from one of your videos. Thank you so much for sharing all of your knowledge. I'm an advanced beginner, and every time I find myself getting frustrated or confused I look up what you have to say on the subject and you get me right back on track! BTW, sooo happy I found your Patreon!!
and i am happy to have you. i always feel so humbled that I can be part of so many fellow knitters' knitting journey!
Love all your videos. When I get asked how to do something, I find your video and share it with them. Thank you so much
I learned to knit from a booklet I bought in a yarn shop(40 or so years ago). It only showed the single cast on. I somehow learned the long-tail cast on later on, but I do admit, I have played 'yarn chicken' with the tail and have frogged a cast on that was just a few stitches lacking. Thanks so much for explaining and demonstrating, I look forward to trying some of these.
My Grandma taught me single cast on with throw style (or English...not completely sure) back when I was in my teens. I got so frustrated with how "SLOW" knitting was that I set it aside and haven't touched it again for a VERY LONG time! I've become an avid crocheter instead. However, I recently saw a video on YT where it showed someone knitting. As I watched it, I realized that he wasn't knitting the way I was taught! "WAIT.....there's more than one way to knit????!!!" After doing some more research, I tried Continental style and (with minor personal adjustments) I LOVE it!!! It is SOOOO much faster for me! It has given me hope that I may actually be able to learn how to knit now as well. I stumbled on your channel(s) through my research and I LOVE what you are teaching! This video especially, I was like, "wait....you can cast on purl-wise as well??!!" I will DEFINITELY be going back to this video LOTS in the future to try new things! I'm currently working on a simple stockinette shawl that I will crochet an edge around when I get done, but I already am debating which of the several projects I've found I want to start next! I'm leaning towards a pair of socks, but I don't have any circular needles, so we'll see. I'm hoping maybe Santa will assist with that. ;) ;)
Keep up the GREAT videos and know that there is someone "across the pond" who is eagerly learning new things from you. :) --Trudi in Mid-Missouri, USA
yeah, a lot of "hookers" (:p) say the same thing...continental is so much easier for them as they can hold the yarn the same way.
Keeping my fingers crossed santa brings the right thing..and you know..a little nudge might help *grin*
I learnt the cable cast-on first when I was about 8, though I didn't know what it was called - it's just the way Nana showed me. The only difference between "my" cable cast-on and yours is that I twist the stitch as I'm putting it on the needle. I knit English style so this is a very easy cast-on for me. Fifty-two years later, it's still my most used cast-on and my favourite. I didn't even know there were other ways until 10 or so years ago when I started using the internet. I do use many others, but this is my favourite.
interesting. I thought it would be one of the rarer cast-ons that's not taught to beginners.
I too learnt cable cast on first. My Mother taught me and also at school. Now I use lon tail cast on because it is a bit more stretchy. However, when I use the long tail cast on, the tail end starts to un-twist and the ball end gets tighter. On a long piece of work this becomes a problem. Have you a solution?
@@beckysherman2987 you have to stop every couple of stitches and let the yarn balance itself, then pick the yarn up again. Or be very careful not to twist it as you wrapit around your thumb.
I read Cheryl's comment and thought she was talking about me! My mum taught me how to knit, about 53 years ago and snap! Cable cast on and still my go to method.
Same here. 62 yo. Taught the cable cast on by my mother in England. She had been taught by her mother and never knew there was another way. I wish she had, because our sweater necks were always so hard to get our heads through when we were kids! 😁
Thank you for such an interesting and enlightening video, it's the first time I've viewed your channel (but it won't be the last). I've spent many years machine knitting and whilst the techniques are different, the end result often looks the same. I'm just starting to get back to hand knitting, I can do this sitting on the sofa 😉, so I'm brushing up on methods etc.
I'm an 'awkward' but neat hand knitter but impatient so I like chunky yarns. With severe arthritis in my hands (the joys of aging) and a upper limb disability some of the methods you show would be too difficult for me but I was fascinated watching techniques I've never seen before.
When I learned to knit, I used the 'thumb' method to cast on but now use the cable one; I'm English so for me, it's easy & neat.
I’ve always been doing the long tail cast-on but hopefully I can expand my repertoire after this video! Great video as always Norman 😊
Thanks. I love your instructions.
You are so welcome!
frustrated with the tightness of the single cast on, and never confident in determining a length for a long-tail cast on, i came here only in search of a new method that would avoid these problems. you are supremely knowledgeable and your talent for teaching in such a clear, understandable manner is so admirable. i learned far more than i came here for! thank you for this wonderful video :)
Dude, you rule. I love your teaching technique. My first cast on was a disaster.
A very interesting and informative tutorial. Thank you. I first learned to knit at school (age 5), Scottish style with long straight needles, one tucked under the armpit. We were taught the knitted cast on and I hated it because it always looked loopy and loose and I thought I was a bad knitter. Then my mother showed me how to cast on using the thumb method, but the stitch was knitted off the thumb, not just placed on the needle as in the backward loop. I’m 72 now and still learning new things. I knit a lot of socks nowadays, and always use the German twisted cast on which I learned through tutorials such as yours. Incidentally, I only recently discovered that the knitted cast on is used in Shetland for the knitting of fine lace shawls, and now I see that there is a purpose for that loopy edge!
I am an avid crocheter and have been trying to learn how to knit for a while now--this video helps a lot and for some reasons makes me very happy when I see how you do the different methods of casting on. thank you very much for this!
I learned the long tail cast on as 8 yo from my grandmother, I still use it almost every time I start a knitting project. This way I can mirror the stitches to get the purl or knit cast on stitch for rib edges as needed. Just so simple.
I always hold the tail around my thumb, but I don’t know if it really makes any difference. Also when I cast on more than 40-50 stitches I start with 10 stitches, then undo them and measure the yarn length used to multiply to get a sufficient tail length for my total number of cast on stitches. Also I always cast on on either bigger or two needles.
Thank you Norman for another brilliant video 🤩 you rock! 🤟
I am a new knitter, crocheted for 50 years. I learned the long-tail cast on, and and knitted cast on and probably use the long-tail the most.
I learnt cable cast on as a child from a book - Mum knitted too fast to teach me her cast on which she said was better.
I absolutely love this video! You have solved my biggest problem with long tail cast on. I never thought to use another ball. Also, I am AMAZED at the stretchiness of the Italian cast on. I have been showing my partner my little swatch - "See how stretchy it is! And I didn't use a double needle!" They're not impressed but their next pair of socks should slip over their heel like a bought one.
single cast-on was the first I ever learned but you've absolutely given me a brand-new appreciation -- both for how versatile it is but also how to do it properly! also I want to try some of these more complex ones as well. thank you so much for the marvelous video!
I began with the single cast on, shown to me by my grandmother. However, instead of using my thumb, I'd use my 1st finger.
Now, I typically use the knitted cast on or the German tail cast on. This being said, I was thrilled to discover that I've actually learned all of these cast on stitches with the various lessons and projects I've taken over the past few years.
Thank you for the video, so helpful! ❤
Thank you for your tutorials. I just started knitting three days ago and I’ve made so much progress because of you.
Thank you!!!
This video is a gold mine of information. I have already recommended it to several of my knitting friends!
Getting back into knitting for the first time in a while and I've been binging your video series. Your stich marker tips and tricks video has been a lifesaver, I love threading my lightbulb markers though my circular needles instead of putting on stoppers every time. I learned the knit on methods from my grandmother. She tried to teach me another method when I was a kid, but the knit on was what stuck. I make a lot of scarves and such (I live in a cold area so everyone needs them) and I love the eyelets it creates for when it comes time to add a fringe. It also looks good with a feather and fan or anything with nice big open stitches.
I'm a knew knitter, and I love all of this different cast on. I think you're AWESOME taking your time to show us all this Wonderful cast on. Thank you.
Best Cast on video ever!!! At the begging I was using Single Cast on and now a variation of the Long Tail Cast on. Many thanks for sharing !! I cannot wait to try different variations!!!
Wonderful video! Such good explanations! After much elementary knitting, I’m curious about all these different cast ones I’ve been avoiding for so long! I was taught long tail cast on as a child by just using one thumb. I guess I also learned knit & purl around that same time - probably when living in Kansas. No one in my family knitted, so I promptly forgot it & took up sewing instead. In my late 60’s, I wandered into a yarn shop in Vermont & was blown away by the beautiful wool. I bought some yarn & was astonished to find that my fingers remembered how to do the English-style long tail cast on! 🧶
I am a self taught knitter and for years have been unable to figure out the German cast on method from the illustrations in books. At last I'll be able to use it! Thank you for your excellent instructions. I'm so glad I found your channel!
Being from the UK I learned everything knitting the UK way. I don't know what it would be called. I'm opening an Etsy Store with handmade gifts. On the pair of baby mittens the cast on had a huge knot which was the slip knot and it was all loopy. The cast on itself looked ugly. So now I'm looking for a better alternative. I found a nice stretchy method which I've been using but it produces almost a double row of cast on stitches which I think would be too bulky for these tiny baby mittens. I love your technical explanations. I'm somewhat dyslexic and struggle to maintain correct stitch/pattern placement. You taught me to learn how to 'read' my work and it has made such a big difference to my accuracy and the quality of my finished products. But perfection is hard and if you are going to sell your projects they need to be perfect. Thank you for your incredible teaching!!!
Great teacher. Can't say enough how much I've learn watching this episode.
i am an absolute novice but I feel that soon I'll be picking up the needles again. This is the boost I need, the inspiration to kick me in the seat. Thank you so much.
Hi, Norman! I am a beginner, learning with your excellent videos. Right now, I’m using a long-tail method.
My mom & school taught me English knitting. Cable cast on is the first technique I was taught and I use it to this day. I want to expand my horizons though which is why I am watching this video. Thanks for your detailed explanations Norman.😊
I was taught the long tail cast-on 55 years ago. So interesting to see all the other ways to cast on. I am teaching one of my granddaughters to knit so the easier method of casting on will be so much better for her!
Coming back to knitting afters 10 years of giving it up. I found I just could not learn from thos diagrams in books. I need to see someone doing it! These videos are perfect for me. Thanks. Also, started with thumb cast on, then learned knitted cast on. A few days ago I learned the German long tail cast on, but I never knew which one I should use with which project. Again, thanks!
Thank you for clearly showing the different appearance from all angles for these different techniques! A lot of videos show how to do something, but they don't give a good view of the finished product so we can decide if it's appropriate for our project.
I'm an Australian and knit using the English method and learned to cast on using the cable cast on. Thanks for this great tutorial. I loved learning some of the different methods to cast on
Oh my god…. I am a seasoned knitter and I’ve tried almost all weird (or not))) ways of casting on to find the perfect way, but the idea of creating picot and then proceed with a rib… this is simply genius
I've been Crocheting for 45 years and * finally * learned to Knit this last year! Of course, my favorite Cast-on is with the crochet hook. But I 😘 be the idea of some of these!
ha..nothing wrong with that. :)
You’re an excellent teacher. I seem to be able to follow your directions very easily. Thank you.
this makes me very happy, Bonnie :)
Sorry I am new to making comments here as well, hit enter by mistake a second ago. I did want to say that I have learned what I do know about knitting from videos and books as I do not know anyone in my circle of friends who knits.
Norman you and your videos are my favorite!! You make it clear, I like your attitude and you are easy to listen to. Thank you for sharing so much with all of us!!
it's my pleasure, Judy! Thank you for sharing your feedback with me.
I learnt with the knitted cast on method, but after finishing my most recent project, I wasn't happy with how stiff the top was, nor how difficult the first row is to knit. So I saw the single cast on and I fell for it. So I tried it with my current project. It's PER-FECT!
But then I realised that I don't knit "normally". haha I'm left-handed, but I knit as a right-handed person in the way I hold my needles, but all the while holding the yarn like a left-hander. Still, I was able to manage the single cast on perfectly and I love it. It makes the top of the project (in this case, a shirt) so much more flexible!
Thank you for your fantastic tutorials, Norman! :)
Glad u were able to adapt
Mind is blown!! This excites me to pick up my needles again... I have been devoting my spare time to crochet but have been missing my circulars! Thanks for the inspiration and amazing tips and techniques!
Norman, you are the answer to my knitting dreams! Because of you and your videos I have gone back to knitting after *many* years (I am a crocheter because knitting was frustrating) . I started out with the simple cast on but it didn't have enough structure. I went to the long tail and love it, but have frogged my cast on SO many times because I mis-judged the length. I am getting pretty good practice! Even wrapping the needle with the # of stitches didn't work! I am looking forward to trying the knitted and Turkish cast ons. They didn't make sense before, but I feel confident I can do them now with your help. I have subscribed to your channel and learn many new things with each of your videos. Thank you!!!
oh wow! thx for sharing this lovely feedback and your story with me & welcome to my channel, Sally!
Cast on that I use the most is the slip over the thumb. I'm thankful for your video as it has taught me how to have some quiet time to myself. 😊
I started knitting over 50 years ago and learned the single cast on from a book. And that is what I still use! I am watching this video to learn a better way.
The first method I learnt was the single cast one, when I was about 7. I then learnt the long tail cast on and that has been my go to ever since. I'm here to learn other versions.
Learned the single cast on when I was five. 50+ years later I mostly use long tail. You added to the possibilities!
I oiginally learned with the knitted cast-on now I always use the cable cast-on, I'm an english knitter. I love your provisional cast-on method! How good is you tube to help us find people like you!!
yeah..it's such a great place to connect with other knitters
My first cast on was the. long tail taught by my Grandma!! Yes my go to cast on !!! Thx for your tutorial
You are so welcome, Daisy :) (my grandma taught me the longtail as well)
My mom taught me the long tail cast on with the twisted loop of the italian cast on at the beginning so it kinda feels like you're doing two loops at the same time with the first slingshot movement.
Thank you for the guide, it's perfectly explained and clear. I even learned the long tail cast on makes knits, i was surprised and amazed about all the variations. You're an amazing teacher!
I was taught, and have always used, the cable cast on BUT with a twisted stitch transfer. And yes, I use the English throw technique when knitting. I'm Australia so it was the way I was taught by my mother and Scottish grandmother. I'm loving learning more, and better, ways to cast on for different stitches and projects. Thank you Norman.
oh yeah, you can twist the stitches. I think I didn'T mention that there specifically. thx for adding it.
Many years ago I learned the backwards thumb cast on. Now, Norwegian CO is my go to. Ty for this video!
Thank you very much for posting your videos. My husband is trying to learn to knit to have something to do while confined to our home from COVID and his recent diagnosis. I do truly appreciate the simplicity in which you describe how to knit.
oh how awesome that you teach your husband knitting...always lovely if a couple can share a hobby!
Since I do Portuguese style knitting, I learned the Portuguese cast-on first. I love it because it's based on the Portuguese style purl, which is so super easy (we prefer purling over knitting!), and the cast-on is also super easy.
Norman you are an excellent knitter. I am very new to knitting. Watching you I know I will learn a lot. I am so glad I found you. I am from San Diego. Thank you I will continue to watch you and will update you of my progress. ❤
I was so engrossed with this video I forgot to take notes! It's a good thing I can save it as I will be watching it many times over! You have excellent speaking skills! I've watched many others lately as I'm trying to teach myself how to knit. You stayed on target: named the stitch, taught us how to achieve it, and showed the end result for each one! I'll definitely be looking for more of your videos! I just want to make a simple sweater and a pair of socks. I can crochet, but I've never made those items. Knitting has always looked difficult to me, but I'm able to make a knit stitch and just started the purl stitch yesterday! Trying to find my comfort zone with my hands. Watching you work the thread through your hands definitely made a difference for me!💙
welcome to my channel then! I do have a beginner video here on my channel as well, just in case, right?
Norman its great tutorial as usual. I can't thank you enough for helping us beginners love knitting. God bless you
I was taught the cable and knitted cast ons as a child in the 50s, when I returned to hand knitting a few years ago I learnt loads of other cast ons and use the one most appropriate to my project, I enjoy using different techniques.
Learned the single cast on from my Mother but she used her index finger. I knit mostly socks and use the old Norwegian cast on. Great video. Thank you.
you're welcome & thx for sharing, Marie