Chapter XXIII: Casting-On Stitches

MARY FRANCES found that her fingers were pretty clumsy in doing this exercise. She wished that Fairly Flew would give her a magic lesson.

“No,” said the fairy, as though reading her thoughts, “I cannot do that. Everybody has to learn in the same old way—by—trying—

‘If at first you don’t succeed,
Try, try again.’”

Mary Frances tried harder than ever, and when she had made a slip knot, every one looked delighted.

“Now,” said Fairly Flew, “now, you are ready to try a new exercise.”

“Now, it is Knit or Knack’s turn,” thought Mary Frances, as she took up a knitting needle. It happened to be Knack.

The fairy smiled and nodded her approval; then she said, “Now, pay very careful attention, and try

TO CAST ON STITCHES WITH THE FINGERS

Material: About 2 yards four-fold Germantown wool.

One pair bone knitting needles No. 6.

CUT 1

Make slip knot about one-half yard from end of yarn.
Draw it up on one knitting needle, holding yarn in
position shown in this picture.

CUT 2

Catch hold of the shorter end of yarn with the left
hand, and hold hands in the positions shown in this
picture.

CUT 3

Turn the left hand around to the position shown in this
picture. With the right hand push the needle farther
through the loop on left thumb, and with the first
finger of the right hand throw the yarn over the point
of the needle.

CUT 4

Draw the yarn tight and

CUT 5

bring the needle toward you through the loop on the
thumb.

CUT 6

Push the loop backward from the point of the needle.

CUT 7

Pull the loop downward.

CUT 8

Let go of the loop and catching hold of the end of yarn
in the left hand with the fingers and thumb, draw the
loop up tight against the needle.