Crochet Cast-On

The Crochet Cast-On or Crochet Edge Cast-On makes an edge that matches the standard bind-off. This cast-on can also be used as a provisional cast-on using a separate piece of yarn. It has the advantage of not needing to pick up stitches in the chain. With care it can be done using two knitting needles. It can also be done with a larger needle if a looser cast-on is needed.

The stitches are formed around the knitting needle using the crochet hook.

Use one knitting needle and one crochet hook of equivalent sizes.
Make a slip stitch and place it on the crochet hook.

Hold the crochet hook to the right of the knitting needle with the working yarn (the end coming from the ball) behind the needle.

Bring the crochet hook in front of the knitting needle, under the yarn, and grab the yarn with the hook.

Pull yarn through the loop on crochet hook and slip that first loop off the hook, leaving the new loop on the crochet hook. One stitch will have been formed on the knitting needle.

Move the working yarn between the hook and the needle and back behind the knitting needle. Bring the crochet hook in front of the needle ready to grab another loop of yarn.

Continue until you have one less stitch around the needle than you want. Slip the loop from the crochet hook onto the needle knitwise, checking that it is mounted correctly.

If you will use the cast-on as a provisional cast-on, using a separate piece of yarn, cast-on a few more stitches than you need to stabilize the tail end.

Comments

[MX]

Grat tutorial. I can't wait to come back and give it a try. This is just what I need.

thanks!

[Nancy]

I know this as a very late comment, but thank you for the great instructions about the crochet cast-on. I'm about to start a project and I'm pretty OCD about following the pattern. This pattern calls for the crochet cast-on and, by gum, that's what I'm going to do! Thanks again!

[Tallguy]

You can also watch an excellent video by Lucy Neatby (from her DVD series) here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3J-sUx_whE&feature=related

[Mehlhouse]

great tutorial! thanks =]

[Patti]

I looked in all my books for crochet cast-on, none to be found. Found
yours, it is fantastic
thank you

[Patti]

I looked in all my books for crochet cast-on, none to be found. Found
yours, it is fantastic
thank you

[Michelle L.]

Hi...great instructions. Thank you. I totally couldn't figure out what I was meant to do until I stumbled on on your page. michelle

[Molly W.]

Great tutorial. I'm a lefty and your pictures and instructions were so good that I was able to reverse and cast on left handed. Thank you.