How to Do the Cable Cast On: Easy Step-by-Step Knitting Tutorial

If you already know how to work a knitted cast on, the cable cast on is a really nice next technique to learn because the steps will already feel familiar.

The big difference? Instead of creating each new stitch by knitting into the previous stitch, you work between the stitches. That small change creates a more solid and more structured cast-on edge. It’s also a really handy technique to know because you can use it both at the beginning of a project and when you need to add extra stitches part-way through your knitting.

If you're working your way through the different ways to start a project, my Knitted Cast On Tutorial and Long-Tail Cast On Tutorial are useful ones to compare with this method too.

Keep reading and I’ll walk you through:

• When to use the cable cast on

• How to work the cable cast on step-by-step

• How it differs from the knitted cast on

• Common cable cast-on mistakes and fixes

When to Use the Cable Cast On

This is a one row buttonhole, using the cable cast on to make sure the width of the buttonhole stays the same between casted off and casted on stitches!

The cable cast on is useful when you want a neat, firm edge rather than something stretchy. You can also use it when a pattern asks you to cast on new stitches halfway through your knitting, providing you have stitches on your left-hand needle available!

You'll probably come across it for:

• sweater underarms

• buttonholes (my personal favourite reason to use this cast on!)

• handles or straps

• any edge that needs to hold strong

It’s one of those techniques that you surelt won't use for every single project, but when a pattern asks you to cast on stitches in the middle, or at the end of a row, you’ll be very glad you know this technique.

How to Do the Cable Cast On Step-by-Step

If you're starting a new project, you first need two stitches on your left-hand needle before the actual cable cast-on movement begins.

1. Make a slip knot and place it onto your left-hand needle.

2. Insert your right-hand needle into the slip knot as if to knit.

3. Wrap your working yarn and pull through a new loop.

4. Place that new loop onto the left-hand needle. You now have two stitches, the slip knot and the just casted on stitch.
   

5. Here is where the cable cast on technique begins: Insert your right-hand needle into the gap between the final two stitches on your left-hand needle, not into the last stitch.

6. Wrap the yarn around your right-hand needle as if to knit.

7. Pull that new loop through the space between the stitches.

8. Place the new loop onto the left-hand needle.

9. Continue steps 5 through 8; inserting your needle between the two stitches closest to the tip of your left needle each time, until you have the number of stitches your pattern asks you to cast on.

And that’s your cable cast on!

The most important part to remember is this:

Cable cast on = work between the stitches.

That tiny detail is what differentiates it from the knitted cast on.

Cable Cast On vs Knitted Cast On

These two methods are easy to mix up because they look and feel quite similar while you're working them:

• With the knitted cast on, each new stitch is created by knitting into the stitch closest to the tip of your needle.

• With the cable cast on, each new stitch is created by inserting your needle into the space between two stitches.

That's basically it.

My Knitted Cast On Tutorial is a post I highly recommend to new knitters. Why? Well, when I'm teaching friends and family how to knit it's usually the first method I teach them to cast on, because the movement is basically the knit stitch itself. You can't get more beginner friendly than that!

Can you see the difference?

Common Cable Cast On Mistakes & Fixes

Why Is My Cable Cast On So Tight?

This is probably the most common problem with this technique.

Every new stitch has to be worked into the gap between the two stitches on your needle. If you tighten or pull each stitch as firmly as possible, you're making that gap smaller every time, increasing tension over the whole row of stitches.

You don't need to pull excessively hard because the cable cast-on edge is already a firmer cast-on edge than most others. Just try placing each new stitch onto your needle and before pulling it tight against the needle put your right hand needle in between the last stitch and the new stitch. I use this trick to keep all my stitches nice and regular!

As always, practise makes perfect: You want the edge to look neat, with uniform stitches, but you still need enough room to get your needle back between those stitches each time.

Why Can't I Get My Needle Between the Stitches in the Cable Cast On?

First, check your tension.

If you've pulled the last stitch very tightly, there may simply not be much room left to insert your right needle. Don't 'tug' each new stitch onto your needle, instead place it and then before you pull it tight, put your right hand needle in between the last stitch and the new stitch, that way it's already there! Added bonus? All your stitches will be regular and beautifully neat!

If your tension isn't the problem, pointier needle tips can definitely make this technique easier. If you've got another pair of the same size knitting needles, switch them out and try again.

Am I Knitting Into the Stitch or Between the Stitches?

For cable cast on, you're working between the stitches.

If you knit directly into the stitch instead, you'll start creating a knitted cast on.

Not to worry though if you're halfway through your stitches already, carry on as you were. You've just accidentally switched techniques!

Why Does My Cast-On Edge Look Uneven?

Usually this comes down to tension.

If some of your new stitches are pulled tightly onto the needle and others are left much looser, you'll see those differences along the finished edge.

Rather than trying to “fix” every stitch by tugging on it afterwards, concentrate on always keeping your casted on stitches on the left hand needle the same distance from the tip of the needle, that way the loop you pull should be almost the same length each time. Then you can build repetitive muscle memory to pull the loop nice and snug (but not too much!!) over the same length of yarn because your stitches are in the same place each time.

Can You Use Cable Cast On in the Middle of Knitting?

Yes, and this is one of the most useful reasons to learn it.

A pattern may ask you to cast on several new stitches for an underarm, the neckline when knitting top down, a button hole or other reasons.

Most often, patterns will ask you to work a backwards loop cast on because your stitches have already been worked, meaning they will be sitting on the right-hand needle and your yarn is attached to those right-hand stitches.

If for whatever reason your pattern asks you to cast on new stitches before working the stitches on the left-hand needle, as is common when making one-row buttonholes, you can use the cable cast on or knitted cast on.

What to Read Next

If you're building up your early knitting skills, try these next:

How to Start Knitting for Total Beginners: The Ultimate Guide

How to Do the Knit Stitch: Step-by-Step for Absolute Beginners (Videos Included!)

How to Do the Purl Stitch: Step-by-Step Beginner Tutorial (with Videos!)

Knitting Bind Off: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners