The Cable Cast On is a great beginner cast on that you will use again and again. It creates a firm edge (as opposed to stretchy) and is a bit easier to learn than the Long Tail Cast On. I especially like to use it when I need to cast on extra stitches for the underarm of sweater.

There are many cast-ons out there - some with very specific uses. The Long Tail Cast-On is the mother of all cast-ons. This is a good, solid cast-on that provides a firm but elastic edge. It can be used for any project that does not specify a different cast-on.

There are MANY cast-ons we knitters need in our tool belts. The backwards loop cast-on is one of the most common. This simple cast-on is most often used ito create buttonholes, add extra stitches for mitten thumbs, or add stitches to the underarm of a top-down raglan when you knit in the round.

Judy's Magic Cast-On is an ingenius and popular way to start toe-up socks, but I have also used it to start my Simple Stripes Hoodie! Like many knitting techniques, it can be confusing at first, but once you get into the rhythm of it - it's quite simple - even meditative!