Casting on for crochet is knitting terminology that does not technically apply to crochet, which uses a foundation chain instead, built one closed stitch at a time rather than a full row of live stitches. This mix-up is common among people coming to crochet from a knitting background. This guide gives the quick distinction and points to the real starting technique.
Quick Distinction
Casting on creates an entire row of live stitches simultaneously on a knitting needle. Crochet’s foundation chain closes each stitch before moving to the next, with only the final stitch active on the hook at any moment, a fundamentally different mechanic despite serving the same starting-row purpose.
The Actual Steps
- Make a slip knot and place it on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook, repeating to build your chain.
- Begin your first row, typically working into the second chain from the hook for single crochet.
Frequently asked questions
Why do people search “casting on” for crochet at all?
Most commonly because they learned knitting first and assume the same vocabulary applies to crochet, since both crafts share the general concept of a starting row even though the specific terms differ.
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