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Casting On

Every kninecl piece starts with a cast-on row. It should not only be even, but it musi also 1>e stretchable and durable, so that the edges, not to mention the whole piece, dont lose their shape later.

Casting On with One Needle

The best-known method of casting on ust' 1 needle. This Itnlian cast-on method pve$ you a strony >tretclv ahle edge that can be used with any knitdng pattern.

In order to achieve the hest powible uppearance, you inust work vcry evenly. Pont cast on too tighrly in order that the ftrst row is easy to knit oft. But you shouldnt cast on too looscly either; otherwise, the edge stretches out too easily. Ił* yotir stitchcs are too tighl, you can aLso cast on holding iwo needle s together, and puli the second needle our hefore you start to kmt the tlrst row.

Bełore you start, measure out cnough yarn tor the bot tom part of your piece for casting on. For every stitch you cast on, you necd about Vł" of medium'weight yarn, slightly less for rhinner yarn. AJd another 8" to the length you have calculated. It doesnt hurt to leave the yńm a litrlc long as you can always usc it Later to sew the parrs together.

You don't nced a slip knot or any other knot to start casting on with ihis method.

Make surę that the first row after casting on is a wrong-side row, because the loops that form on the back iook like purl loops.

IWind ihe yarn end around the left pinkie finger. bring it to the back between your forefinger and middie finger, and forward over the forefinger. Then wrap it around your thumb from front to back.

2 Hołd both ends of the yarn tightly and insert the knitting needle from your right hand up into the loop around your thumb.

3 Bring the needle behind the yarn that comes from your forefinger...

4 ...and draw this piece through the thumb loop. Let the yarn slip off your thumb.

5Pick up the bottom piece of yarn with your thumb again, from the back to the front. Puli the stitch tightly and lift your thumb up again.

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