The most basic type of cast on is known as the knitted cast on, and it's a great one to learn because as soon as you know how to do it, you also know how to knit.
Start with the needle that your slip knot is on in your left hand, and the empty needle in your right. How you hold the needles is a matter of personal preference, but most people grip them lightly with all the fingers.
To begin the cast on, slide the right-hand needle into the loop on the left-hand needle, from front to back, as shown in the photo. This is known as "opening the loop" because you're piercing the loop and leaving it open for working a stitch.
