Pinhole aka Disappearing Loop Cast On

By / June 15, 2025
Pin hole cast on using circular needles

Last updated on June 15th, 2025 at 10:48 am

The Pinhole cast on is specifically designed for knitting in the round from the center, creating an incredibly smooth start with no visible beginning point.

 You can use either:

  • Double-pointed needles (DPNs)
  • Circular needles

Choose whichever you’re more comfortable with – the instructions remain the same!

Contents hide
1 When to Use Pinhole Cast-on?
2 Step-by-Step Instructions
3 Video Tutorial
4 Final Thoughts

When to Use Pinhole Cast-on?

This technique shines in:

  • Top-down hats (like Musselbourg hat)
  • Center-out circular shawls
  • Mittens and gloves
  • Any project where you want to hide the beginning of your circular knitting

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prefer to learn visually? I’ve created a detailed video tutorial showing every step of this technique.

Scroll to the bottom of this post to watch me demonstrate the Pinhole Cast-On in action. Sometimes seeing is believing – and doing!

Follow the photo instruction for the start.

How to begin pinhole cast on
1. Make a loop by crossing the yarn. Hold the crossing using left hand. Take 1 needle and put it in the starting loop.
2. Grab the working yarn and pull out a stitch. Tighten it up.
3. Make a yarn over. Pass the stitch over yarn over (as in left leaning decrease)
4. Now you have the 1st real stitch in the loop. The rest of the stitches you will make around 2 yarn strands (the loop and a yarn tail)
5. Pick up stitches through the center of the loop in a following way: pull out a loop from the center, make a yarn over and pass the stitch over (as in left leaning decrease).
6. Two pinhole cast on stitches on the knitting needle. Repeat until you get the desired amount of stitches
7. For this example, I cast on 8 stitches. If you pull the yarn tail, the loop will close.
8. Arrange stitches on DPNs or split in half for circular knitting. Tighten the loop after a few rows.

Video Tutorial

Still feeling unsure about the Pinhole Cast-On? Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered! Check out my step-by-step video tutorial where I demonstrate this technique in detail.

Final Thoughts

Once you master the Pinhole Cast-On, you’ll find yourself reaching for it whenever you start a circular project. It’s a small technique that makes a big difference in the final appearance of your knitting. Give it a try on your next project – you won’t be disappointed!

Other cast on methods:

The Turkish Cast On

Judy’s Magic Cast-on

Double Start Cast-On

Provisional Cast On With Crochet Hook

Cable Cast On

Chain Edge Cast On

Jeny’s Stretchy Cast-on

Long Tail Cast On

I Cord Cast On Method: NOT The Best Choice

 

Happy knitting!

Kristina

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