casting on

All projects start with getting the first stitches onto the knitting needles – in other words casting them on. There are various methods of casting on, but I find the knitting-on method is simple and versatile. Of course, if you have a favourite method, use that.

1 Make a slipknot in the working end of your yarn, leaving an end of about 12in (30cm). Place the slipknot on the left-hand needle. Insert the right-hand needle into the loop of the slipknot and wrap the yarn around the tip of the needle, from back to front.

2 Slide the tip of the right-hand needle down to catch this new loop of yarn.

3 Place the new loop on the left-hand needle.

4 Repeat this process until you have cast on as many stitches as the project requires.