Cast On, Bind Off (2 page)
Authors: Leslie Ann Bestor
Beginnings and Endings
In knitting classes at the yarn store where I work, we start beginners with a needle full of stitches already cast on, so they can begin knitting and come back to casting on when they are more comfortable with manipulating the needles and yarn.
This roughly describes my own journey with cast ons and bind offs. I learned one way and stuck with it for every single project. The Long-Tail Cast On was my friend, and since it is so versatile, I had no issues with our relationship for many years. But as I grew as a knitter and began exploring different techniques, I realized that a whole range of varied options awaited me for both starting and finishing a piece of knitting. I started to look at other ways to cast on and bind off and discovered that different situations call for different techniques, and that using the right one has a huge impact on the finished garment. The Old Norwegian Cast On became my next best friend. And I began to keep notes about which cast ons work in different situations. I carried little scraps of paper in my project bags and trawled for videos on the Internet, continually trying
new ways to make my knitting match my imagination.
Most knitters progress in a similar fashion. They have a favorite cast on or bind off, and it is probably the one they learned from the person who taught them. A few workhorses, such as the Long-Tail Cast On and the Traditional Bind Off, serve knitters well in many situations. But just as you learn the difference between right-and left-slanting decreases, learning new techniques for beginning and ending your projects allows you to take your knitting to a whole new level. You can choose a stretchy cast on for your top-down socks; a stable, firm beginning for the bottom of your cardigan; or a flexible bind off that allows you to block your lace shawl to its fullest. My hope is that this book opens a new world of possibilities and expands your horizons for beginning and ending a knitted project.
Use this book to learn new techniques. Keep it in your knitting bag as a reference and, with every project, try a new way to cast on and bind off. Some techniques, such as the provisional cast ons, apply to very specific situations, while others can be used for many purposes. Some of these new cast ons and bind offs you will like, some not so much. Some will be easy, some will be fiddly, but you may just find that the fiddly one is
perfect for the particular piece you are working on. You will never regret investing time in the beginnings and endings of your projects: The edges set the stage for the piece as a whole. There's no point in knitting a beautifully intricate sock if its top won't stretch enough to go over your heel. With all the work we put into our knitted garments, we want all the parts to work together well.
This brings me to swatching. Of course, we all do this before beginning a project, right? Well, now you have another reason to swatch! Your swatch is the perfect place to experiment with cast ons and bind offs before you invest time in the project itself. After knitting your swatch, evaluate the edges. Are they either stretchy or firm enough for the project? Do they look good with your stitch pattern? Is the effort worth the result? Now you will be able to make choices based on many options rather than just the old standbys.
In this book you'll find 33 cast ons and 21 bind offs. Each technique features photographs illustrating every step. Check the Extras line for anything required in addition to your project needles and yarn. Having trouble? Consult the Getting It Right box, where I offer tips for refining the technique. Need suggestions for a cast on or bind off for your next project? Flip to inside the front or back cover for tips on which technique is best for which kind of project.
I hope this book becomes a trusted reference and guidebook for you. And I hope it provides some “aha” moments as you discover new methods. Maybe you, too, will find some new best friends in these techniques! Knitting is an adventure that allows us to keep learning, and my intent with this book is to encourage that ongoing exploration.
Here are some basic techniques that will come up again and again as you try different ways of casting on and binding off. Refer back to this section when you need a refresher on these essentials.
The foundation stitch for many a cast on, the slip knot is aptly named: If you pull too hard to tighten the knot (and it isn't looped around an object, such as a knitting needle), the knot
slips
apart.
Make a loop with the tail end underneath the long end where the yarns overlap.
Reach through the loop and grab the long yarn and pull a new loop through the first loop.