A 101 to dive on in.

Ryan DeBonville, who makes exceedingly cozy scarves and hats, wasn’t a knitting natural—despite his grandmother’s best efforts. “I took an official class about 10 years ago, but I am basically self-taught,” he says. And as a result, his methods are a little, er, unconventional. Here, he shows us how to cast on—knitting-speak for “get the party started.” —jessie pascoe

Step 1: Watch These YouTube Videos.
“What I didn’t have growing up that would have saved me a few years of trial and error are these YouTube videos. These are two clips [Ed: here and here!] I’ve been sending to people for years.”

Step 2: Make a Chain.
“Casting on was always the hardest part about learning how to knit for me, and I would have to wait until I saw my Grandma again for her to start another scarf. I decided to try myself and the quick, easy solution I came up with was to first make a chain out of the yarn either using my fingers or a crochet hook.”

Step 3: Thread the Needle.
“The second step is to thread the knitting needle through the chain.

Step 4: Get Knitting.
“The final step in casting on is to begin knitting! Anytime I get stuck on a stitch or can’t get a piece quite right, I check back to YouTube.”

Get your hands on Ryan’s cozy-as-hell knit beanie now! Your ears will thank you profusely.