Casting On Stitches

Long-Tail Cast-On

Also known as Double Cast-On or Continental Cast-On

My favorite cast on method
This creates a nice, stretchy edge that works well for stockinette stitch or for ribbing. Easy to knit from, easy to pick up stitches from, this is also the fastest cast-on I know, once you get the hang of it. It's even faster than Single Cast-On when you take into account that this method creates an already knitted row (technically, anyway...but patterns don't count this row). Recommended for beginners, or anyone.

Calculate 1/2" - 1" of yarn per stitch for the "long tail" that is required for this cast-on method. Let the tail dangle from the thumb of the left hand, so that it can untwist occasionally as you go (the thumb side gets twisted).

Alternative Method

There is another method of working this cast-on, which is a slower to work, called the thumb method. Here's a video:

Single Cast-On

Also known as Backward-Loop Cast-On

Easiest method to learn, but tricky to knit from evenly.

Cable Cast-On

A good, flexible cast-on. Not as loose as Double Cast-On, but still stretchy, and good for ribbing. This is a nice method to use when spanning long gaps during knitting, like when making a buttonhole. As nice looking as it is, I don't use it that often, because I find it difficult to work. Tip: It's much easier to work, if you leave the stitches a little loose. If the stitch is still tight and hard to get the yarn through, try sliding down to the tip of the needle, where there's more room.

Start with a slip knot:  . Knit into slip knot, leaving the stitch on the left needle. Place the new stitch onto left needle, by slipping it knit-wise. *Knit into gap between last two stitches on left needle. Place knitted stitch onto left needle by slipping it knit-wise. Repeat from *. Note: you can also place the stitch on the needle purl-wise. The results are virtually identical.

TIP: Using a crochet hook in the right hand can make this cast on easier. (Thanks to Jean A. in NC for writing in this tip.)

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Knitting-On

Start with a slip knot: . *Knit 1, leaving stitch on left needle. Transfer new stitch onto left needle by slipping it knit-wise. Repeat from *.

Old Norwegian Cast-On

Work on a needle a size or two up from gauge, since this is a tight cast-on. (In image, it was worked on same gauge needle as knitting.)

Worked in a similar way as Long-Tail Cast-On. Again, calculate one half to one inch of yarn per stitch for the tail.

Invisible (Provisional) Cast-On

Also known as Looped Cast-On

This is a provisional cast-on: one that can be easily undone to expose live stitches, and then knit from seamlessly. Usually done with a second piece of yarn that is ultimately removed, I sometimes do it with the flexible cable of a cable needle. When done with a cable needle, the picked up stitches can be knit directly from the needle.

Start with a slip knot for the working yarn. Skip the first wrapping of the working yarn on the first cast on stitch, and go directly to wrapping the provisional yarn or cable, as shown in the video (coming soon).

Note: When you go to knit off of this bottom edge, every other stitch (ie. on the cable needle) will be twisted. You must knit (or purl) through the back loop of the twisted stitches. (see "k tbl," and "p tbl" in the abbreviations explained page)

Alternate Cable Cast-On

This is a great CO for K1 P1 ribbing. Firm but stretchy!

Start with a slip knot: . Knit into the slip knot, leaving the stitch on the left needle. Place the new stitch on left needle by slipping it knit-wise. Then *Purl into space between last two stitches. Place stitch on left needle by slipping knit wise. Knit into space between last two stitches. Place on left needle by slipping knit wise. Repeat from *, ending with the knit stitch, so there's an even number of stitches (including the slip knot). *k1, p1* on the following rows for ribbing. 

TIP: Using a crochet hook in the right hand can make this cast on easier. (Thanks to Jean A. in NC for writing in this tip.)