Great Beginnings: Start Your Knitting Project Off Right, Pt. 2

Technical editor and yarncrafting expert Kj Hay returns to share her expertise on starting your knitting project on the right foot. Click here for the first half of this series or click here to check out Kj’s earlier blog posts on crochet.

Alternate Long-Tail Cast On (from “purl” side)

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Work same as long-tail cast on method demonstrated earlier until needle and yarn are in the “sling shot” position. In the “sling shot” position, the yarn has been attached to the needle with a slip knot and the two strands have been wrapped around your index finger and thumb. The tail should travel from the slip knot, between your thumb and index finger, around the back of your thumb and down into your palm. Similarly, the working yarn should travel from the slip knot, between your index finger and thumb, around the back of your index finger and down into your palm.

1. Bring tip of needle down behind strand on side of index finger closest to you, then from top to bottom behind strand of yarn on side of thumb closest to you. Guide tip of needle upwards and slightly backwards and then from top to bottom over strand on side of index finger closest to you. Draw strand from index finger forward, then down slightly and backwards through the loop on thumb, taking care not to pick up any additional strands as you draw it through the loop.
2. Drop loop from thumb, reinsert thumb between working strand and tail, and spread index finger and thumb apart to separate strands and tighten new stitch. Do not tighten stitch too much, as this could result in an inelastic edge.

Repeat this process until desired number of stitches have been cast on.

And this is just the beginning. There are many, many different cast on methods and many variations on the cast on methods you already know. You may enjoy listening to YarnCraft episode 129, for more information and inspiration. Click here for the episode guide to this podcast (an online radio show); use the player below to listen right now.