Making a slip knot on the needle is the first step in knitting.
Wrap and pull through
Leaving the yarn end to the left and with the yarn to the ball on the right, wrap yarn loosely around first two fingers of left hand, crossing over once. Insert the needle under the back strand, as shown, and pull through to make a loop.
Tighten on needle
Slip fingers out and gently pull the end on the left to tighten the knot and the end on the right to close the loop on the needle.