Knitting Basics: Double Start Cast On

Blossom Lady
Oct 01, 2020 05:20 AM
Knitting Basics: Double Start Cast On

Most knitters progress similarly. We usually have one favorite cast on, and it is probably the one we learned from the person who taught us. But learning new techniques for beginning your projects allows you to take your knitting to a whole new level. We have already learned the basic cast ons (here: https://lifehack.craftorator.com/64-mastering-knitting-basics-cast-on.html and here: https://lifehack.craftorator.com/66-mastering-knitting-basics-cast-on-part-2.html) and now I’d like to continue with a series of decorative, stretchy, circular techniques, and more! I hope you’ll try them all and find your favorites! Today I invite you to learn a very nice one – double start cast on.

This cast on is very stretchy and because of this, it is often used for the cuffs of socks, mittens, and hats. It is like the Long-Tail Cast On in construction; the difference is in the second stitch of each cast-on pair, where the yarn wraps in the reverse direction around the thumb. You can add an extra strand or two of yarn on the thumb side to make a more pronounced and decorative edge.

How to make it

Knitting Basics: Double Start Cast On
Step 1
Make a slip knot, leaving a long tail, and place it on the needle. Hold the yarn and needle in the slingshot position.

Step 2
Reach with the needle under and into the loop on the left thumb.

Step 3
Go over the yarn on your left forefinger and bring that yarn through the thumb loop.

Step 4
Drop the yarn off your left thumb and gently tighten (not too tight!) the loop on the needle. (So far, this is the same as Long-Tail Cast On).
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Continue knitting

Knitting Basics: Double Start Cast On
Step 5
Reposition the yarn on your thumb so that the yarn comes from the needle to the outside of the thumb and wraps to the inside across the palm of the hand.

Step 6
Insert needle tip under the yarn coming from the thumb across the palm of the hand.

Step 7
Reach over the top of the finger yarn, and bring that yarn through the thumb loop.

Step 8
Drop the yarn off your thumb and gently tighten the loop on the needle. Repeat steps 2–8 for the desired number of stitches.
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Variation

Knitting Basics: Double Start Cast On
The edge can be made more pronounced by increasing the number of strands of yarn going to the thumb. To do this with one extra strand, measure out a length for the tail that is double what is needed for cast on. Fold this in half and make a slip knot where the two strands come together . Hold the yarns in slingshot position, with the doubled strand going over the thumb.
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