Beginner Question for knitting...casting on???

I use the knit on method then for the first row, I knit into the back of the stitch. It gives a nice appearance, plus it is never too tight, yet remains firm and retains its shape well.

I have a friend who knit a beautiful sweater in which she beaded the whole sweater much as you describe . what I need is the secret to a flawless or neat join for the cast on row when knitting socks on four needles. ruby

You must be talking about Lyn's sweater. That was a lacy pattern evening type sweater. Each of the little holes contained a silver bead, the wool was pale blue. She used over 8000 beads making it. After it was done she remarked that putting it on in the winter, she got a shock as all the cold beads made contact with her skin lol

It truly is a lovely thing and I can't imagine the sort of price one would have to pay for it in a top fashion store!

Ruby I cast on the knit way ,,, than divide the stiches on 3 needles, now move the first and 2 cast on stiches to the 3rd needle without knitting , i.e, you have on the needle 2nd st, of cast on 1st stich, and than the last stiches,,,,,,, now you use needle 4 to move 2nd and

I use the knitted cast on method for most things too, but just in case you want to use the other method, it's good to have a hint on how to measure the tail.

Lucille.

Thank you I will try it out this week. ruby

I tried it out yesterday and it works! Good tip Mirjam.

You are welcome Lucretia ,,, long years of trying out finnaly gave me this solution. As i only knit one piece [no seams] knits . have a nice day . mirjam

Hi,

If I told you how to do it online, you'd be even more confused as wit knitting the best way to learn is to see someone do it.

An alternative is to borrow a knitting book from the library and i most knitting books it shows you both methods of casting on in th front. The illustrations are quite good and you should be able to ge the hang of it before long.

King regards,

Clar

You could also try the library for videos; they may have one that you can practice while watching.

Pat

Clr_Gilbrt3 wrote:

Just check. knittinghelp.com has online videos. :-)

Pat

Clr_Gilbrt3 wrote:

You can use either end. I like using the tail end because I can control the twist as I cast on. You just have to make sure you have a long enough tail to accomodate all the stitches you are casting on.

If that frustrates you (because you don't leave a long enough tail), then use the ball end.

Others have answered your question in different ways. Good luck in learning to knit! It is a wonderful artform that will give you not only many hours of knitting pleasure but lots of useful items.

Dianne

What method do you use for casting on stitches? If you use the kind of cast on I was taught to do, which is wrapping the yarn around your thumb and forefinger and using a needle to make the stitches, you need to use both the end from the ball and a tail. I think that's called Continental or European method, but I was taught that way by my mother and my grandmother and neither of them ever called it anything but cast on.

I also would like to know, if you use the ball end don't you have to tie in the yarn in order to knit or purl back on the first row. I personally like to have as few knots in my work as I possibly can.

My trick for measuring the tail is to leave at least 1" for every stitch you need to cast on. It works 99% of the time and usually leaves a long enough tail to use for sewing the seam, again eliminating another end to work in.

Lucille

We are of a similar age, but different culture (England). I could NEVER master the finger-wrapping way of casting on when I came to the US!

Gillian Incidentally, email me the regular phone number privately, would you? I just have the cellphone and tried to contact you when I got back to FL

My regular phone # is 772-340-3661. The big problem was that neither my cell nor my regular phone were working.

What a PITA. I'm just getting back where I started from with a scratched up, not quite perfect porch and about 1/2 of my bushes and trees either dead or looking like they would welcome a mercy killing. And of course there's the requisite water mark on the ceiling so you don't get too complacent about the roof. lol

Oh well. There's always next year.

It's good to have you back. The people on the NG are getting weirder and weirder, so having a rational person is a treat.

Lucille

If I'm not mistaken the method I use was something that came from Eastern European countries. My grandmother was from Russia and she was the one to teach my mother. I think more people used your way than mine.

Lucille

Great to hear from you, but rational????? We are actually thinking of doing something outrageous for retirees, and move OUT of Florida!! When I get the picture program up ( Jim screws it up every time) I will send you a picture of my Florida Totem Pole, made by my 93 yr old FIL!!!

Just to piss off Sheena I top posted. I met Bobbie V and Cheryl while up north. They are super people, and very kind to me, an aged crones!!!LOL Cheryl.......just kidding!

Gill

Lucille wrote: