CAST-ON TECHNIQUES
Sally recommends the Backwards Thumb or Long Tail cast-on or the German Long Tail cast-on for very stretchy garments such as beanies and the cuffs of socks.
Backwards Thumb Cast-on
Pros: Good for adding stitches at the end of a row eg the underarm, or a single extra stitch eg to close up the thumb hole in a mitt. Good for lace shawls where you don't want a decorative edge. It is easy.
Cons: Difficult to keep the tension even and gives a sloppy edge as a cast-on for eg a jumper because of the extra yarn it takes
Cable Cast-on
Pro's: Creates an attractive twisted edge. Useful for buttonholes, purse openings, pocket edges etc which need to be firm and stable. Good for bottom up jumpers.
Con's: Not stretchy so no good for eg sock cuffs, high necklines.
Long Tail Cast-on
Also called
a Continental cast-on or Slingshot cast-on. Note that this cast-on counts as the first knit row (the next will be a purl row).
Pro's: Can be used for any project. It has some stretch and is stable. It forms a neat and attractive edge that is not sloppy (all tail cast-ons have this advantage).
Con's: Not super stretchy. A little complicated to learn. You have to estimate the tail length.
German Long Tail Cast-on
Also known
as the German Twisted cast-on or the Old Norwegian cast-on
Pro's: A thicker, more substantial cast-on that is stretchier. It is easier to join in the round because of the obvious underside to the stitches. Best cast-on for top-down socks.
Con's: You have to estimate the tail length
Provisional Cast On
This cast on leaves live stitches that can be picked up and knit later.
- Using a crochet hook, cast on more stitches than you need.
- Tie a knot at the slip knot end.
- One side are sideways Vs and the other side is hyphens - knit into the hyphens
- Knit into the hyphens the number of stitches you need
- After knitting the garment, remove the waste yarn starting at the non-slip knot end, revealing live stitches.
Con's: More difficult. Requires a crochet chain before you knit.
Jeny's Stretchy Slipknot Cast-on
Pro's: Very stretchy eg for a jumper's neckline to go over a baby's head (baby's have small bodies but big heads!). Easy.
Garter Tab Cast-on
Pro's: Ideal for shawls as it creates a seamless finish to a garter stitch border
Icord Cast-on
Pro's: Defines the edge of eg hem or neckline a bit like piping. Gets done at the beginning of the knitting (can do at the end as an Attached Icord). Creates the Icord and cast-on at the same time.
Con's: Easily looks messy if done the traditional way. A better way is to create the Icord with the number of stitches required then pick up stitches from the top loops of the Icord by knitting through them. This is much neater.
