Break off or cut off about an armspan’s length of yarn. Make a basic overhand knot (also called a pretzel knot) near the end of your yarn.

If your yarn is dense or tightly twisted and you can’t break it just by pulling it apart, untwist the yarn where you want to break it first.

Place the knot around your thumb with the short tail of your yarn going to the right. Snug up the knot, and pull the long working end of the yarn across and in front of your thumb.

Thread your needle onto the working end of the yarn, and slide the needle between the knot and the pad of your thumb. Pinch gently with your left index finger to keep the knot secure.

Pull the needle through to the left, and then pull your working yarn through after it.

Snug up the working yarn so that the new loop that it forms is against your thumb, below the first loop. Don’t pull it too tight; it should just be snug.

Move the upper loop up and off your thumb, towards the back. This will become the rear loop, and is used in creating new stitches.