Does the cast-on row count as your first row?

#1

OK…this is a funny question, but when I am reading a pattern, does the cast on row count as the first row in the pattern? e.g. if the pattern has 10 rows before a colour change, do I cast on then knit 10 rows, or do I cast on then knit 9 rows?

Also, when you drop a stitch and you put it back onto the needle, how do you know which way to orient the stitch?

I think I have twisted a few stitches in the crib-blanket I am knitting (my first ever project!) in a section of seed stitch where i had dropped some stitches. There’s a small patch that looks a bit messy - but its several rows below where I am up to and I don’t really want to undo all the work above it to fix it up (there are 140 stitches in each row - so its a bit daunting to think of trying to unravel a few rows then putting all those stitches back on the needle). Besides looking a bit messy - is there any problem with leaving twisted stitches in your work? Will it unravel or anything like that? :??

Thanks!

#2

Your twisted stitches will stay there, no problem.

If you look at a stitch on a knit side, the leg on the side closest to you will be slightly forward or to the right. After a while, you can tell by how the stitch feels when you put in your needle if it’s twisted or not.

I don’t count the cast on row as my first row. A pattern says to cast on and then work row one, so that’s what I do.

#3

The long tail cast on method, according to Amy’s video, does produce a knit row so if a pattern says to work in stockinette stitch right from the start, I usually cast on and then do a purl row for my first row, unless the pattern specifies otherwise. Just an interesting little tidbit for you, it’s not critical one way or the other.

#4

The only time I count my cast on as the first row {when using long-tail}, is when I’m doing something where the stripes HAVE to be exactly the same or else it will look wonky. One example was my hubby’s socks. Each stripe was 6 rows, so I counted the cast on as the first row of the first stripe. If my stripes are 10 rows or more, the one row difference usually won’t be noticeable, so I don’t worry about it.

I will also purl my first row in stockinette so that the cast on looks smoother {IMO}.

#5

wow…thanks everyone for such speedy helpful replies!

Gotta say…I love this site. The videos are such a great way to learn (much easier than trying to understand photos), and this forum is great!

#6

Hello again

Another cast-on question…when I have the front side of my knitting facing me, which end should the cast-on “tail” be? I am knitting a basic blanket pattern that has a border of seed stitch, then the inside is st st. I have a feeling i started my st st the wrong way around, as when I have my work with the front side facing me, the cast-on “tail” is at the tip of my needle (i.e. near my right hand)…should it be on the end of the needle (i.e. near my left hand)?

Also, when changing colour, should I attach the new colour for the first time when I am knitting a row that has my work with the front facing me? I don’t want to start my colour change on the wrong side and get the messy ends on the front instead of hidden at the back?

Thanks again for all the help!

#7

After your long-tail cast on, the tail will be at the point of the needle, so after your first row, it would be at the end away from the point. If the first row is your right side, then he tail will be away from the point on all odd rows after completing them but before turning.

When you change the color, you can do it on either side. If you attach it on a right side row, you attach it to the back. If you attach it on a wrong side row, you attach it to the front. By back and front I mean as the work is facing you.