How to work a simple Italian cast on around 2 needles, knit 1 and purl 1 (back and forth)

In this DROPS video we show you how to cast on so that the visible stitches around the cast on edge are knit 1 and purl 1. This method is also called “Simple Italian cast on”.

BEFORE STARTING THE VIDEO:
We begin casting on straight away, keeping the cast on stitches loose. You cast on half the desired number of stitches and this number is then doubled on the first row, minus 1 stitch.

THE VIDEO SHOWS:
Make a start loop and place it around 2 needles held together (both of the same size). Cast on in the usual way around both needles, then remove one needle and leave the cast on stitches on the other needle. All the stitches are equally loose and even. Now increase the stitch count as follows:
ROW 1 (wrong side): * Purl 1, increase 1 stitch as follows: Take the right needle towards
you, then under and behind the piece, up in front of the strand and pull the needle with the strand forwards and to the front again (= 1 new stitch on the right needle) *, work from *-* until there is 1 stitch left, purl 1. The stitch count has been doubled minus 1 stitch.
ROW 2 (right side): * Knit 1, purl 1 (= picked-up strand) *, work from *-* until there is 1
stitch left, knit 1.
ROW 3 (wrong side): Knit above knit and purl above purl.
Repeat row 3.