Learning to cast-on is the first step to success in knitting.

First, buy your needles and yarn. Depending on what you’re making, the size of needle and preference of yarn may change, but for beginners, larger needles require less skill.

Then, loop the yarn into a “pretzel shape,” creating a slipknot. Leave a tail end triple the width of what you’re creating. Slip the needle through the slipknot and pull the ends of the yarn to tighten.

After, drape the yarn tail over your left thumb and yarn ball end over index finger. Catch the yarn lengths with your other fingers. Place needle through the loop on thumb.

Then, using the knitting needle, catch the yarn on index finger and pull it through the loop on thumb. Eliminate your thumb from the loop. Reposition yarn and tighten the new stitch on the right-hand needle.

Finally, repeat until you’ve casted on the appropriate amount of stitches.

Instructions courtesy of Martha Stewart.