Why increase after casting on

Blanket patterns often say to cast on a certain number of stitches, then to increase evenly to add a few stitches. My question is: Why?

If the directions say to cast on 222 stitches, knit eight rows, and then increase 8 stitches evenly spaced to total 230 stitches, for example … what would happen if I just cast on 230 stitches right at the start?

It would be easier; would it actually look any different?

It’s a good question. The main reason is to adjust the stitch count so that the main blanket stitch pattern and the border pattern are the same width. That way, the border won’t flare out or pucker the blanket. Going from a garter stitch border to a cable pattern for example would require extra stitches to account for the way the cable pulls in the knit fabric.
This is often done for sweaters as well to tighten the ribbing and to adjust for stitch pattern.

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Thank you for the good, clear explanation - you’re the best!

I suspected that was the reason, but I’m just lazy enough to have hoped that I didn’t have to bother counting stitches for the increase. I can see now why it’s worth doing.

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The same thing used to “irk” me too!!!

And i used to follow the patterns exactly. Now, not so much. Now i cast on the number of stitches that i need for the body of the afghan and just let go!!

But that’s me. I havent noticed any unnecessary puckering. YMMV.

Knitcindy

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