Can’t even cast on for the life of me (knitting)

[Loubylous]

I’m trying to teach myself to knit with books and YouTube tutorials and I just wonder if anyone else who tried to teach themselves found it utterly impossible at first and then got the hang of it? Right now I feel like my brain must be wired wrong because I’m watching video after video in slow mo and I can’t get it at all. I do the slipknot, put the left needle in, put the right needle in, wind the wool around the right needle… and then what? All the vids seem to say ”then push the right needle through the loop”… WHAT loop?! Then the needles slip out of my hand. does anyone have any tips?

This seems quite easy to understand and how I cast on

Put the point of the right hand needle back through slip stitch ensuring that the wool you wrapped around it goes through too. This becomes the second stitch which you slip onto left needle and repeat🤩

That video is good and that’s how I do it.

Use knitting needles that are long enough to tuck under your armpits - helps free your hands to manipulate the other end and the yarn.

Have you tried crochet?

Can you knit once someone else has cast on for you? Or have you not got that far yet? I'd try a cable cast on if you're struggling with the method you've tried so far.

Perhaps you might find the continental cast-on method easier? (I've just found out that it is the name of the way that I cast on!). It only requires one needle, for a start!

Edited to ask: do you know of any older ladies that probably know how to knit? They don't all enjoy it, but have always been happy to help me out when I've asked! Sometimes it's easier for them to talk you through it, rather than trying to learn through books and videos.

There are lots of cast ons for knitting and the hobby can have a tendency to confuse with all the jargon.

I usually point people to the YouTube channel by Very Pink Knits as she is a knitting teacher and has a no nonsense approach to her videos.

If you search for her video called 'Knitting Help - Long Tail Cast On' that should hopefully get you started.

You will in time want to learn other cast on techniques but this is probably the best to learn first to take you through the majority of knitting projects.

And, be patient, muscle memory takes time so don't give up!

@Loubylous once the yarn is curled around the right needle, I think of it as then pivoting or pulling the tip of the right needle towards you. The yarn comes with it, forming a loop.

The instructions about the loop then refer here.

Have you tried resting the end of your right needle in your lap? With the tip pointing upwards you can momentarily let go of the needle as it is supported.

Can you get a friend to sit with you and show you?

Take a look at this video, 'cast on using thumb method' https://share.google/FzKiDVfO2CCQSTOE0

I was taught like this and found it easy. It's the rest of knitting I find so hard !

I'm dying to know if you can cast on yet OP. So many good suggestions here. Update us, please!