Cast On, Bind Off (5 page)
Authors: Leslie Ann Bestor
Cast Ons
This first group of cast ons
covers the ones most knitters learn first. In searching for a way to describe this group, I decided that “simple” was not accurate, nor did “all purpose” fit those included here. These are the basics in a knitter's wardrobe. They are some of the easiest to learn and teach, but more than that, these methods are the staples we come back to again and again for their versatility.
Backward Loop
page 20
Double-Twist Loop
page 22
Long-Tail
page 25
Long-Tail, Thumb Version
page 28
Knitted
page 31
Purled
page 34
Cable
page 36
Chained
page 39
Old Norwegian
page 41
a.k.a. Single, Simple, Wrap
The Backward Loop Cast On
is one of the simplest. Very easy to learn, it is often taught to new knitters. The sad truth, though, is that it does not produce a particularly attractive edge and does not hold up well. It also makes knitting the first row tricky. But don't discount this method altogether: the Backward Loop is one of the few cast ons that can be used to add stitches at the end of the row or in the middle of a section of stitches.