Cast On, Bind Off (21 page)
Authors: Leslie Ann Bestor
Pass the thumb loop over the tip of the needle.
Tighten stitch on needle. (See Getting It Right, below.)
Repeat steps 2â6 for the desired number of stitches.
Getting It Right
It is important to get the stitches snugged up tight against each other. Use your right thumb and forefinger to hold the loop in place on the needle while pulling with your left hand to tighten the stitch. You want to avoid slack yarn between the cast-on stitches. Even though it may seem tight with the stitches snugged against each other, the finished edge will actually be quite stretchy.
for Double and Single Ribbing
This unusual cast on creates a very elastic edge
, making a wonderful foundation for ribbed edges needing stretch. A variation of the Lace Cast On (
page 67
), it is the brain child of Jane Pimlott, who is known as Tillybuddy on Ravelry, the online knitting community. Jane was looking for a stretchy cast on that was more stable to knit on the first row than a loop cast on. She played with yarnovers and twisting the needles until she came up with this wonderful technique. The edge follows the zigzag line of the rib stitches and springs back to shape beautifully.
CHARACTERISTICS
⢠Very stretchy edge
GOOD FOR
⢠K1, P1 or K2, P2 ribbing
⢠Socks, hats, and more
Hold the yarn parallel to the horizontal left-hand needle, with the tail on the left.
Wrap the yarn so that it goes under, behind, over the top, and back to the front of the left-hand needle. Hold the tail with your left hand.
