Note: These tutorials use UK crochet terms for stitches. Where necessary, the US terms for stitches will be given in brackets the first time they’re mentioned, then the UK terms will be used from then on.

Casting On and Off in Crochet

Here I’ll explain two methods of casting on in crochet - the slip-knot (usually used for projects that work in back-and-forth rows) and the magic ring (used in projects that work in spiral rounds). I’ll also explain the most common method of casting off.

How to make a Slip-Knot:

Wrap your yarn around the middle and index fingers of your non-dominant hand so that the yarn circles the fingers once, crosses over itself and comes over the backs of your fingers again. Your yarn should look like this:

Front view of two fingers with yarn wrapped around them; the yarn crosses over itself once
Back view of two fingers with yarn wrapped around them

Now take your hook and put it under the first strand (the closest to your fingertips) and over the second strand.

A hand putting a crochet hook through a loop of yarn that is wrapped around two fingers on another hand

Use your hook to pull the second strand through the first. Flip the hook so it points in the opposite direction as you do so.

A hand using a crochet hook to pull one strand of yarn around two fingers through another
A slip knot, around two fingers, on a crochet hook; a second hand turns the crochet hook to point the other way

Carefully take the yarn off your fingers. You should now have a loop of yarn hanging from your hook like this:

A hand holding an unclosed slip knot on a crochet hook

Pull the “ball end” of your yarn (the end that leads to the ball of yarn; the “non-loose” end) so the loop tightens into a knot.

A slip knot on a crochet hook with a hand pulling one end of the yarn to tighten it
A closed slip knot on a crochet hook

Done!

How to make a Magic Ring:

Work as for the slip-knot but DO NOT tighten the loop.

A Magic Ring on a crochet hook

Done!

From here, you can make as many chains as the pattern calls for (learn how to make a chain here), then work your first round into the ring. When making the first chain, it’s a good idea to hold onto your Magic Ring so the chain forms properly. When working the first round, make sure you leave the loose end accessible so that you can pull the ring closed once you’ve completed the round.

A crochet hook making a chain after a Magic Ring; the Ring is held by a thumb and forefinger
A crochet hook with a Magic Ring and a chain. The chain is labelled "1 chain"
A crochet hook with some stitches into a Magic Ring with fingers pulling the loose end to close. An arrow labelled "pull" points along the loose end of yarn away from the ring
A round of crochet in a closed Magic Ring on a crochet hook

A round of double crochet (US single crochet). Learn how to make this stitch here.

Alternative to Magic Ring:

If you’re finding the magic ring too tricky, you can simply make a slip-knot and 2 chains, then work your first round into the 2nd chain from your hook. (There’s no pulling closed in this version, so you don’t need to keep the loose end accessible.)

A slip knot and two chains on a crochet hook. The furthest chain from the hook is labelled "Work into this chain"
Hands with a crochet hook working a stitch into a chain stitch
A round of crochet on a crochet hook

How to Cast Off:

When you’ve finished your work, simply make a chain, cut the yarn and pull the loose end through. Give the loose end a little tug to tighten the knot.

Some rows of crochet on a crochet hook
Some rows of crochet followed by a chain stitch on a crochet hook
Some rows of crochet on a crochet hook with scissors cutting the trailing yarn
A crochet hook pulling the loose end of some rows of crochet through a loop
A fastened off corner on some rows of crochet

Done!

Now you can weave the loose end into your work. For this, I suggest using a smaller hook than you used to make your project; using the same hook can loosen the loops in your work and the loose end is more likely to fall back out.

Hands using a small crochet hook weaving a loose end of yarn into some rows of crochet

Now you’ve got the basics down, you can learn how to do some Fundamental Stitches.

Got a question? Get in touch at koalamea.crafts@gmail.com.