Italian cast on

Watch our video tutorials to learn how to cast on using the Italian cast-on technique and achieve a ribbed, elastic and seamless edge.

Italian cast-on, when working rib with knit 1, purl 1

In this DROPS video we show you how work an Italian cast-on, with knit 1, purl 1. Start with a long strand-end, depending on how many stitches you are casting on. 1. Hold the strand over your thumb and left index finger and insert the needle under this strand. Pull the needle and the strand a little outwards, take the needle towards you and under the strand by your thumb, then up between the strands, around the back strand and under the front strand, then up = 1 start-loop and 1 knitted stitch on the right needle, i.e., 1st stitch = knitted stitch. 2. Take the needle away from you so it is above the strand by your index finger, then under both strands, take the needle away from you and under the back strand then up = 2nd stitch = 1 purled stitch. 3. Take the needle towards you and under the front strand, up between the strands, around and under the back strand, then under the front strand and up = 3rd stitch = 1 knitted stitch. Repeat points 2 and 3, with purled and knitted stitches, to the correct stitch count. Finish the last stitch with a loop to «fasten» the stitches. Turn and knit the knitted stitches and purl the purled stitches. The last stitch on the row is purled together with the start-strand/loop. Turn again and knit the knitted stitches and purl the purled stitches. You can also, after casting on, work 2 or 4 rows of double knit to give the edge hold. Read the explanation below and/or see the end of the video (from time: 00:04:03). Both methods give a very elastic edge. For the 2 or 4 rows of double knit to give the edge hold, follow the text in the pattern you are working from, or work as follows: ROW 1: * Knit 1, slip the next stitch onto the right needle purlwise, with the yarn in front of the stitch *, work from *-* to the last stitch and the start-loop remains, purl these stitches together. ROW 2: * Slip the first/next stitch onto the right needle knitwise with the yarn behind the stitch, purl 1 *, work from *-* to the end of the row.

5:14

Italian cast on with a stable edge - rib with 1 knit / 1 purl

In this DROPS video we show one way of Italian cast on with a stable edge, with 1 knit and 1 purl stitch. Start with a long thread end, the length depends on how many stitches are to be cast on. Hold the thread over the thumb and left index finger, insert the needle on the inside and from the back so that there is a cross = 1st stitch (K). Take the needle over the back thread, up in the middle, under the front thread and up = 2nd stich (P). Next stitch: Insert needle under first thread and up in the middle, over back thread and up (K). Continue like this with P and K to desired number of stitches, finish with a P stitch. Turn the piece and twist the threads twice. Start 2nd row with K1, place the yarn in front of the needle and slip the P stitch over to the right needle as if to purl, K the next stitch. Place the yarn in front of the needle and slip the P stitch over to the right needle as if to purl, K the next stitch, continue like this the entire row, but P the last stitch, turn. K 1, place the yarn in front of the needle and slip the P stitch over to the right needle as if to purl, K the next stitch. Place the yarn in front of the needle and slip the P stitch over to the right needle as if to purl, K the next stitch, continue like this the entire row, but P the last stitch, turn. Continue with K over K and P over P. This method gives an elastic and nice result and a stable edge. We use the yarn DROPS Snow in the video.

6:23

Italian cast on – knit 2 / purl 2 ribbing

In this DROPS video we show one way of Italian cast on, with knit 2, purl 2 ribbing. Start with a long thread end, the length depends on how many stitches are to be cast on. Hold the thread over the thumb and left index finger, insert the needle on the inside and from the back so that there is a cross = 1st stitch (= K). Take the needle over the back thread, up in the middle, under the front thread and up = 2nd stich (P). Next stitch: Insert needle under first thread and up in the middle, over back thread and up (2nd K stitch). Continue like this with P and K to desired number of stitches, but should be able to divisible by 4 (+ 2 if required). Turn the piece and twist the threads twice. Work K over K and P over P, turn. Now start working the rib into K2, P2 as follows: * knit 1, slip the next 2 stitches to the right needle as to knit them together, then put them back on the left needle slipping the purl stitch first then the knit stitch (so that they are now “reversed), knit the next stitch, and purl the next 2 stitches *, and repeat from *-* to the end of the row. The method gives a very elastic result. We use the yarn DROPS Snow in the video.