The Knitting Fiend

Recently, one of the posters at KnittingNovices asked:

The teacher I had in my class, and the books I have say to cast on a few extra stitches when beginning a project. I don’t understand how many stitches, or why.

I often advise beginning knitters to cast on at least two extra stitches using the cable cast on, and then unravel the extra after knitting back the first row. The main reason is I find it’s easier to count the number of stitches after a row has been knitted so there is some thickness to the cast on row. I also think the cast on edge looks better if you unravel a few stitches and tighten.

Here’s how I do it. First, using the cable cast on,¹ I cast on the number of stitches required plus at least two extra.

Using cable cast on, cast on at least two extra stitches. Work number of stitches required for cast on. Count to verify you have the correct number on the needle. Above and to the left, I cast on 2 extra and worked back.

Drop the extra stitches off the needle. The dropped yarn will form unattractive loops; see above right. Pull to unravel the one closest to the needle tip first. The rest will then unravel traveling toward the slip knot.

Look! No unattractive loops, see above, left. There will be a loose stitch at the edge of the cast on.

Insert your needle tip, and draw up the yarn and pull on the dangling end to tighten; illustrated above right.

Finito!
You now have a nice cast on with crisp edges.

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1. If you don’t know how to work a cable cast on, or want tips on joining to work circular, read Join to knit circular. )

This is filed in “How To Knit”.