CASTING ON...

Kia ora friends, welcome back to Never Been Knit - your newbie knitting space at Outlaw Yarn HQ! 

Today we reach the milestone of learning the long-tail cast on. 

It's an important step because one cannot knit without first casting on - so I was very excited and rearing to go...

​...but be honest, at first, my attempts were less Casting On and more Cast Away.

Me, counting my failed attempts to cast on

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Allow me to hand you over to the power of video where I will share with you my casting on adventures.

In summary, my tips to beginner knitters taking those first daunting steps, learning to cast on are:

• Watch and read lots of tutorials and instructions online - You Tube is great - I especially like Sheep & Stitch videos which demonstrate things really clearly and slowly. 
• When you find a video you like, slow that baby right down, like to 50% speed so that you have an actual shot of following along with the hadn't motions and instructions
• Be prepared to fail and fail and fail...and maybe even fail again - it’s hard to pick up even the most fundamental things like casting on when you’re still learning the very basics like how to hold needles and yarn all at once and not drop it all - there’s a lot going on for a beginner, and it’s okay to take your time to get to literal grips with it all
• If you feel yourself getting impatient and frustrated, set everything down and come back to it later with fresh eyes and clearer mind (go have a snack, snacks help)
• Saying the movements and actions needed out loud as you do them was very helpful for me
• Keep your first attempt! It’ll be a cute and reassuring reminder in months to come as to how far you’ve come along! 

Me, when I FINALLY nailed casting on!

Remember. Be patient! If you don't get the hang of it right away, keep trying. You will get there!

Despite my failed attempts, I did get there with perseverance, and you will too. 

​​Happy casting on!

Lou 
x