That could be it. For a knitted cast-on, if you are right-handed, you would hold the needle with the slip knot in your left hand. The right needle goes into the loop on the left needle, picks up more yarn, and brings it through to the front, and places it on the left needle, making a new loop. Repeat until you have cast on the desired number of stitches.

I don't know if that helps or not. It's easier to show someone than to explain it. Is there a yarn store near you? At good yarn stores, they are almost always very happy to show you how to do whatever you aren't sure about.