Hello knitting friends!
Does anyone have any advice about how to create a neater edge with a tighter cast on?
Despite my stitches feeling pretty impossibly tight when I am trying to work with them I don’t feel like the resulting edge retains that!
Thank you all
Any tips for a tighter cast on?
What cast on are you using? Typically knitters are trying for a looser cast on.
Is there a particular pattern you are thinking of which you want a tighter cast on for? And what’s the reason for wanting it tight?
Casting on with a smaller needle would make it tighter, then change to your required needle size for the first row. But as GG says, usually knitters want a looser cast on so it really depends on what and why to be able to offer appropriate advice.
Well, I cast on the way my Granny and mum taught me - I don’t even know what it is called!
I think it is possibly a knit cast on. I don’t use my thumb. Just watched a ton of videos but still can’t find the one I do!
I ask here because the pattern specifically says to aim for a tight cast on to create a neater edge. Perhaps I am overthinking it but my edge always looks pretty loose.
This is the pattern I am starting:
No idea what I cord is and I am a bit scared of Kitchener’s stitch but other than that it says it is an easy beginner’s pattern so I should be ok, right?!
Have finally found my cast on in the knitting YouTube forest. I use a cable cast on!
If you really need the cable cast on tighter you can use smaller needles for it as @Creations said.
Worked top down means the cast on is the neck edge. You can reinforce it.
How to Reinforce a Cast On Edge
Are you interested in learning the long tail cast on? It has a firm edge that might work well for this project.
Long Tail Cast On in Continental and English Methods
My mum also taught me the cable cast on as the standard, go to, cast on method. Are you in the UK??
The neck edge is going to be reworked at the end with an icord so you won’t see the cast on edge. I think what the pattern is advising is to go for a more standard stretch in the cast on rather than, what many knitters would decide to do, an extra stretchy cast on. In this case I think casting on with the cable cast on with the regular needle size will work just fine. I think the pattern is just pointing out you don’t need extra stretch, partly because it is a boat neck design with ample room to get your head in, and partly because the neck edge is reworked so you don’t want a loose, baggy edge.
Did you do a gauge swatch and did you cast on with cable cast on for it? How does it look and feel?
I find the cast on edge can sometimes look a bit loose until several rows are worked away from it and the yarn and fabric have a chance to settle in. Washing will also effect how the cast on sits. And I mean this can be the case with various types of cast on, more so if a stretchy method is used or a larger needle, it can look too loose until the fabric is worked several rows away to give it space to spread nd settle.
Do you want to post a pic of your knitting so we can see the edge? It’s most likely fine the way you’re doing it.
New techniques such as the icord can be practised on a swatch before tackling it on your top, and there is help here, an heaps of video tutorials to help. I’m sure you will manage it.
Ah, you are both so incredibly helpful. Thank you. Yes, I am in the UK, Creations. Are you too?
Funnily enough I was just looking at my latest edge for the Lopi jumper and it looks pretty neat (hadn’t stopped to appreciate it!) so perhaps it will be ok. I’ve attached a picture.
The pattern calls for smaller needles for the cast on so that will help too.
GG, I think I know how to do a long tail cast on but perhaps I am doing it wrong. Is it just doing my cable cast on but with the tail instead of the full yarn?
One thing is for sure is I can’t for the life of me do it with my thumb. I am a bit ambidextrous (but not in a particularly good way…) so things like that sometimes totally baffle me!
Thank you so much again. I have decided to finish the other jumper over the weekend before I start this new one and I have done the gauge swatch - it did seem ok but as you say I find the edge only really settles into how it will be once you have done quite a few rows.
Thank you, my knitting angels! - I’ll keep you posted!
Well I see nothing wrong with your cast on at all. If you are happy with it just keep using it. There is no reason to change unless you want to get something else out of your cast on.
Yes I’m in the UK. I think here for people taught by a family member (ie not purely taught via online tutorials) it is very common to use the cable cast on. It’s a tradition.
I personally don’t like long tail cast on, it’s the one where you use your thumb and finger of the left hand and a needle in the right hand. I don’t find any advantages and several disadvantages, but I have used it. Other knitters though will love it.
I discovered a different cast on method which was tricky to learn but now I really like it for a rib edge as it’s super stretchy and the rib looks in pattern. It’s Jennys surprisingly stretchy slip knot cast on. It’s not for everyone though.
The Icelandic cast on is beautiful next to reverse stockinette or garter fabric and matches the icelandic bind off, it’s a fiddly one, but very nice. Really it just depends what you want from your cast on, if you aren’t unhappy with it then there’s no reason to change.
There are lots of different cast on and bind off methods and it’s just personal preference to use them if or when it suits a project or for a particular reason.
Your knitting looks really lovely. If you’ve manged this top so well I am sure you will fly though the next one.
Thank you so much. All very reassuring. I love the passing down of things in knitting It it is a big part of its magic for me so I think I will stick to my Granny’s method where I can then I have a bit of her knitting superpowers with me. I used something similar to Jenny’s super stretchy one on a pair of socks (think it was from a NimbleNeedles tutorial) and it was just fine too and did give more stretchiness! Thank you again and have a lovely Saturday. Hope you have more sun than I do in the Midlands
Your cast-on edge looks very neat and tidy–I wouldn’t change a thing for this next project. If it’s a bit loose, it will be easier to work the I-cord into it.
You mention, though, that you didn’t take the time to look back and appreciate your nice edge. It’s a great habit to stop once in a while and LOOK at your knitting. We’re often so focussed on finishing the item, or doing X number of rows per day, we don’t always take the time to spread it out and just ENJOY it! It can help you spot a mistake while it’s easy to fix, but also reminds you of the pleasure of our craft. Look at it, pet it, hold it up to your face and fully experience your knitting!
LTCO is tricky to learn and makes a chain edge. Your knitting looks marvelous and your cast on edge is absolutely fine. Your stranded colorwork is lovely.
For my current project I did a crochet cast on in waste yarn for a provisional cast on. I’ll remove it and bind off the live stitches and do the same bind off on the other end of my blanket and the edges will match. So many possibilities in casting on can be overwhelming. I’m hoping this current restart will truly be the last time I’m starting over for the last time.
Oh ColoCro, I absolutely love your reply! Snuggling the wool up to the face and delighting in it. How gorgeous. Mind you, this wool is so itchy that I gave to place a cushion between it and my trousered legs so I may love it from a distance…
GG, your blanket sounds wonderful. I’d love to see the finished product. I like the idea of a provisional cast on too always possible to go in and change things - another knitting life lesson!
OK, if it’s itchy, maybe don’t snuggle with it! I just meant, take time to smell the coffee, or roses, or whatever. We tend to be a bit too goal-oriented sometimes, and forget to enjoy the journey.