I first learned the tubular cast-on when I knitted Eunny Jang's endpaper mitts. I thought it was awesome, if just a bit awkward to begin. I mean, if you remember, the method she references for this technique (the Italian Tubular Cast-on) required alternately wrapping the tail-end and working yarn under and over a single straight needle. Sounds pretty finicky, right? But, once you got the hang of it, you could easily speed through the entire process.
That was really the only technique I used for tubular cast-ons. I even referred to the same method when writing my pattern for Kim's Tasseled hat. It worked, so I never researched other methods.
Well, a few weeks ago, during one crafting salon event, Hilary showed me another method. A method so much simpler then the first. A method that produced a much cleaner (i think) cast-on edge. I was enthralled. Of course, at the time we were watching Mistress of Spices so I wasn't really paying too much attention. I'm sure that a few details are missing, but I did understand it went something like:
- Use a crochet hook and waste yarn to chain half the number of cast-on stitches required for your project.
- Using knitting needles pick up stitches and knit two rows in stockinette.
- Knit the next row, alternating between knitting from your working row and knitting into the back loop of a stitch picked up from the cast-on edge.
- When all stitches are knit, you have the required number for your project and you can pull out the crocheted waste yarn.
During my ill-fated attempt to knit a simple ankle sock last week, I didn't have a crochet hook handy so, naturally, defaulted to the old tried-and-true familiar technique. You know what happened there.
I guess it was the motivation I needed to look up better cast-on techniques. In the end, I used the method Hilary described mashed-up with a technique Anna Bell describes (with very detailed photos). Talk about simplicity.
I've started working on some small baby items (which I can't wait to share with everyone). And when it comes to baby items, I want stretchy edges and little or no seaming. Can you see how it all falls into place?
More to share soon.
