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CO: Cast on

Create the first row of stitches on the needle. Cast on and bind off bracket your work. They set the stitch count at the start and fix it at the end.

How to work CO

Create the first row of stitches on the needle. Common methods are long-tail, knitted and cable cast-on. Your pattern may say which one to use.

Common mistake

Casting on too tightly, which makes the edge pucker; use a needle one or two sizes larger.

Effect on your stitch count

It does not change the stitch count by itself.

Related abbreviations

All terms are in the knitting abbreviations list, and in the app's Glossary, which works offline.

Frequently asked questions

What does CO stand for?

CO stands for cast on.

Does CO change the number of stitches?

It does not change the stitch count by itself.

Last updated 7 November 2026. Stitchlight is an independent app; this page is written for readers, not for search engines. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

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