Knitting

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A Cheat Sheet for Cast Ons

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As a knitter, I have always been a long-tail cast-on person. It’s been my go-to cast on method for a long time, and I know that it’s not always the best choice for every project. But, I find it easy and familiar, so I often default to it.

When I teach knitting, I usually teach the knit cast on method. This is because it’s a versatile cast on method that can be used for most projects, and once you know how to knit cast on, you also know how to knit! This saves time and is less fiddly for kids.

However, I also know that there are many other cast on methods available, each with their own unique benefits. Kate Atherley, a renowned knitter and author, has spent a lot of time thinking about and experimenting with different cast on methods. She recently rounded up some of her favorite ways to start a knitting project over at Modern Daily Knitting. Her article provides a great overview of different cast on methods and their uses, and it’s a great resource for knitters looking to expand their skills and try new techniques.

As a knitter, I highly recommend exploring different cast on methods. Each method has its own unique benefits and can be used for different types of projects. And it’s always good to have more than one cast on technique in your knitting toolbox.

 

Click over to see swatches using different kinds of casts on and a little bit about the properties of each one. If you want actual tutorials you’ll still have to Google it or search on YouTube or your favorite knitting reference book.

There’s also a printable chart that shows different purposes for which you might need to cast on stitches, as well as different methods that are a good option for those situations. So handy!

[Photo: Modern Daily Knitting.]

Looking for printed hard-copy knitting books? Check out these Knitting Pattern books 

 

Comments

  2. I was going to say socks. I don’t seem to have the book I learned about that cast on from anymore so I looked online and Ashley Little at Bluprint said it’s medium stretchy and looks good on both sides so it’s good for things you see both sides of like blankets and scarves.

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.