Slip Knot Cast On Tutorial

By Alexis Winslow

Alexis Winslow explains how to work the slip-knot cast-on method for hand knitted garments. The pattern mentioned in the video is for the Cabled Dad Mittens, available for sale here:
http://www.knitdarling.com/patterns/cabled-dad-mittens

The Slipknot Cast-On is an incredibly stretchy knitting technique that's perfect for ribbed cuffs, hat brims, and other edges that need plenty of give. It creates a neat, accordion-like edge that draws 1×1 ribbing together beautifully.

It's also one of my favorite methods for casting on stitches in the middle of a row, because it creates a tidy, stable edge that resists stretching out of shape.

In this tutorial, I'll demonstrate the technique using my Cabled Dad Mittens, where I use the Slipknot Cast-On for the ribbed cuffs, the base of the fingers, and the convertible mitten flap.

Written Instructions

Setup: Make a slip knot and place it on your needle. A short yarn tail is all you need. If you're adding stitches in the middle of a row, skip this step.

  1. Make a loop: Holding the needle in your right hand and the working yarn in your left, make a backward loop around your left thumb, keeping the base of the loop fairly close to the previous stitch.
  2. Insert the needle: Starting at the base of your thumb, insert the needle into the loop and rotate your thumb forward.
  3. Pull through: Using the tip of the needle, catch the working yarn coming from the ball and draw a new loop through.
  4. Drop the loop: Release the original loop from your thumb.
  5. Adjust tension: Carefully tighten the new stitch, holding its base in place with your thumb.

Repeat these steps until you've cast on the desired number of stitches. Each new stitch is essentially another slip knot.

Tips for Getting the Tension Right

The key to this cast-on is keeping the base of each thumb loop snug against the previous stitch before pulling the new loop through.

If the loop is too loose, you'll end up with a long strand of yarn between stitches that CAN NOT be tightened afterward. This is part of what makes the finished edge so stable, but it also means that tension matters.

If you notice a loose strand between stitches, it's best to undo that stitch and try again. Rough or uneven yarns may require a little extra patience.

Video Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to the Slipknot Cast-On

00:11 – Stretch and benefits for 1×1 ribbing

00:20 – Examples from the Cabled Dad Mittens

00:35 – Adding stitches in the middle of a row

00:49 – Making the first slip knot

01:00 – Step-by-step cast-on demonstration

01:45 – Repeating the five steps

02:07 – Getting the tension right and avoiding loose strands

02:40 – Closing and more Knit Darling tutorials