34
Cable
page 36
Chained
page 39
Old Norwegian
page 41
Backward Loop Cast On
a.k.a. Single, Simple, Wrap
The Backward Loop Cast On is one of the simplest. Very easy to learn, it is often taught to new knitters. The sad truth, though, is that it does not produce a particularly attractive edge and does not hold up well. It also makes knitting the first row tricky. But donât discount this method altogether: the Backward Loop is one of the few cast ons that can be used to add stitches at the end of the row or in the middle of a section of stitches.
CHARACTERISTICS
⢠Elastic edge
⢠Loops between stitches can look sloppy
GOOD FOR
⢠Adding stitches at the ends and middles of rows, such as the underarm of a top-down sweater or base of a mittenâs thumb
Working the Cast On
Make a slip knot, leaving a short tail (approximately 4â³), and place it on a needle.
Position the working yarn (the yarn going from the needle to the ball) so that it comes from the needle in between your fingers and thumb, and then outside and around your thumb.
Insert the needle tip under the loop of yarn on the outside of your thumb.
Let the loop slide off your thumb and gently tighten.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the desired number of stitches.
Double-Twist Loop Cast On
This cast on takes the Backward Loop Cast On ( page 20 ) and adds an extra twist to it. And in doing so, it makes a firmer, more attractive edge. It is excellent for buttonholes and any place where you need to add stitches at the end of a row. My friend Nina was delighted to show me this way of casting on. I have since found it mentioned in a few books, but it is usually made with a loop that is double twisted before putting it on the needle, which I find awkward to do. Ninaâs method, shown to her by a friendâs grandmother, is easy and very quick once you get the movements down.
CHARACTERISTICS
⢠Elastic, firm, attractive edge
GOOD FOR
⢠Buttonholes and adding stitches at the end of the row
Working the Cast On
Make a slip knot with a short tail and place it on the needle. Hold the needle in your right hand. If adding stitches at the end of a row, skip this and go directly to step 2.
Wrap the working yarn so that it goes from the needle around the outside of the thumb and then around the index finger; use your other fingers to grasp the working yarn in the palm of your hand.
Insert the tip of your needle under the strand that runs from your index finger to the palm of your hand.
Take the needle tip over the top of the strand running between the thumb and the index finger and pull it back underneath the first strand.
Rotate the needle tip to the left so that it comes up into the gap between the two strands wrapped around the thumb.
Drop the yarn off the thumb and index finger and gently tighten the stitch on the needle.
Repeat steps 2â6 for the desired number of stitches.
Long-Tail Cast On
a.k.a. Continental, Double, Two-Strand, Slingshot
This cast on is the workhorse of the many methods available. As the name suggests, you use a long tail of yarn along with the working yarn to create the cast-on edge. Fairly easy to learn, it lends itself to many different types of knitting situations. The edge it creates is firm and elastic, making it suitable for edges that will be followed by garter, stockinette, or rib stitch. It is attractive and looks good on both the front and back sides. Note that the Long-Tail Cast On, because of its structure, also creates the first row of knitting.
CHARACTERISTICS
⢠Edge is elastic and attractive
⢠First row begins with wrong (private) side of work
GOOD FOR
⢠Any stitch pattern and any project
Working the Cast On
Measure out a tail of yarn using whatever method you prefer ( page 13 ). Make a slip knot and place it on the needle.
Hold the needle in your right hand. Create a slingshot with the tail end of the yarn over your thumb and the working yarn
Cable
page 36
Chained
page 39
Old Norwegian
page 41
Backward Loop Cast On
a.k.a. Single, Simple, Wrap
The Backward Loop Cast On is one of the simplest. Very easy to learn, it is often taught to new knitters. The sad truth, though, is that it does not produce a particularly attractive edge and does not hold up well. It also makes knitting the first row tricky. But donât discount this method altogether: the Backward Loop is one of the few cast ons that can be used to add stitches at the end of the row or in the middle of a section of stitches.
CHARACTERISTICS
⢠Elastic edge
⢠Loops between stitches can look sloppy
GOOD FOR
⢠Adding stitches at the ends and middles of rows, such as the underarm of a top-down sweater or base of a mittenâs thumb
Working the Cast On
Make a slip knot, leaving a short tail (approximately 4â³), and place it on a needle.
Position the working yarn (the yarn going from the needle to the ball) so that it comes from the needle in between your fingers and thumb, and then outside and around your thumb.
Insert the needle tip under the loop of yarn on the outside of your thumb.
Let the loop slide off your thumb and gently tighten.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the desired number of stitches.
Double-Twist Loop Cast On
This cast on takes the Backward Loop Cast On ( page 20 ) and adds an extra twist to it. And in doing so, it makes a firmer, more attractive edge. It is excellent for buttonholes and any place where you need to add stitches at the end of a row. My friend Nina was delighted to show me this way of casting on. I have since found it mentioned in a few books, but it is usually made with a loop that is double twisted before putting it on the needle, which I find awkward to do. Ninaâs method, shown to her by a friendâs grandmother, is easy and very quick once you get the movements down.
CHARACTERISTICS
⢠Elastic, firm, attractive edge
GOOD FOR
⢠Buttonholes and adding stitches at the end of the row
Working the Cast On
Make a slip knot with a short tail and place it on the needle. Hold the needle in your right hand. If adding stitches at the end of a row, skip this and go directly to step 2.
Wrap the working yarn so that it goes from the needle around the outside of the thumb and then around the index finger; use your other fingers to grasp the working yarn in the palm of your hand.
Insert the tip of your needle under the strand that runs from your index finger to the palm of your hand.
Take the needle tip over the top of the strand running between the thumb and the index finger and pull it back underneath the first strand.
Rotate the needle tip to the left so that it comes up into the gap between the two strands wrapped around the thumb.
Drop the yarn off the thumb and index finger and gently tighten the stitch on the needle.
Repeat steps 2â6 for the desired number of stitches.
Long-Tail Cast On
a.k.a. Continental, Double, Two-Strand, Slingshot
This cast on is the workhorse of the many methods available. As the name suggests, you use a long tail of yarn along with the working yarn to create the cast-on edge. Fairly easy to learn, it lends itself to many different types of knitting situations. The edge it creates is firm and elastic, making it suitable for edges that will be followed by garter, stockinette, or rib stitch. It is attractive and looks good on both the front and back sides. Note that the Long-Tail Cast On, because of its structure, also creates the first row of knitting.
CHARACTERISTICS
⢠Edge is elastic and attractive
⢠First row begins with wrong (private) side of work
GOOD FOR
⢠Any stitch pattern and any project
Working the Cast On
Measure out a tail of yarn using whatever method you prefer ( page 13 ). Make a slip knot and place it on the needle.
Hold the needle in your right hand. Create a slingshot with the tail end of the yarn over your thumb and the working yarn
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