Monica Knits

Picot Cast On After I wrote the picot bind off (cast off) article, there were a number of reader inquiries for picot cast on instructions. Like the picot bind off, you can create a delicate finish of bobbles of good elasticity--ideal for sock cuffs. Also like the related bind off, the picot size is determined by the number of stitches cast on and then bound off together. The picot cast on begins with a cable cast on, then employs a combination of cable cast ons and clustered bind offs similar to the picot cast off. Read more... for illustrated instructions and related links.

Side 1 Side 2The first row of stitching after the cast on row involves purling normally, but knitting through the back loops (tbl) since the kitchener rib cast on (also called Italian or tubular cast on) creates twisted knit stitches. This article is the second in the series on the Kitchener Rib cast on. Read more .... for stepwise, illustrated instructions.
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The Kitchener rib stitch cast on forms an elastic edge that is an excellent start for a 1 x 1 rib stitch or a reversible fabric. I used it to cast on a reversible headband in two colors. This cast on can also be used for a single color cast on, but is actually easier to learn with two different colors. It is called a tubular cast on or Italian cast on and this is just one of many ways of generating a tubular cast on. Read more ..... for stepwise illustrated instructions. Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.

Construction techniques that have been used in the projects featured are summarized in this article, along with links to full details and examples using these techniques. This living document is updated as techniques are illustrated. Basic stitches are found in the Stitch Patterns article.

1. CAST ON
2. BIND OFF
3. BLOCKING
4. NOTIONS (elastic)
5. GRAFTING (weaving, joining)
6. BUTTONS
7. SHORT ROWS
8. WASTE YARN PROVISIONAL STITCHES

Knit Cast OnLike the cable cast on, the knitted cast on is a good choice for adding stitches at the end of a row, or in the middle of a work, for example when casting on buttonhole stitches, or adding stitches for an armhole. It takes less time to execute than the cable cast on, though it takes longer than a long-tailed cast on. Read more ..... for full illustrated instructions.

The cable cast on is an ideal border for a garter stitch pattern, providing both structure and flexibility. As a decorative edge, it looks like twisted rope or cable. Although it is an excellent foundation for a knitted row, it is more time consuming to execute than a simple cast on or a long-tailed cast on, so beauty comes at a cost. Read more ..... for additional advantages of the cable cast on as well as full illustrated instructions.