Cast On, Bind Off (18 page)
Authors: Leslie Ann Bestor
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).
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.
Insert needle tip under the yarn coming from the thumb across the palm of the hand.
Reach over the top of the finger yarn, and bring that yarn through the thumb loop.
Drop the yarn off your thumb and gently tighten the loop on the needle.
Repeat steps 2â8 for the desired number of stitches.
Getting It Right
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 (see step 1,
page 57
). Hold the yarns in slingshot position, with the doubled strand going over the thumb.
a.k.a. Knotted
This cast on produces a strong, elastic edge
with a series of bumps or knots, almost like picots. The flexibility makes it suited for top-down socks, while the decorative edge adds a nice bit of interest to edges of garments. Knitted ganseys often use this cast on, and because it is made with an extra strand of yarn, it holds up well. This technique makes an even number of stitches.
