Cast On, Bind Off (32 page)
Authors: Leslie Ann Bestor
Knit into the backs of the stitches on the top needle (just for this first round).
Getting It Right
After you complete the first round, you can tighten stitches on the cast-on row by inserting a needle tip into the purl bumps of the first row and giving a little pull. Continue knitting as called for in the pattern.
These types of cast ons
have their origins in Fair Isle, Latvian, and other multicolored knitting traditions. They require a bit more work, but the end results are well worth it. The first two techniques produce a braided edge, where the colors wrap around each other. The Twined Cast On has a solid, contrast-color edge that can be paired with two other colors in the first row. Because these techniques are based on some basic cast-on methods (Long-Tail for the Braided cast ons and Twisted German for the Twined), they are relatively easy to learn. The tricky part is keeping the yarns organized and untangled. I find it easiest to keep the balls of yarn lying separately on each side of me and rotate the balls as I switch yarn positions. Alternatively, you can untangle the yarns in stages as you work the cast on.
All of these cast ons work the first row of knitting as part of the cast on. This means you will be starting a wrong-side row if knitting flat. If knitting in the round, you will join the round and commence with your first right-side row.
Two-Color Braided
page 96
Tricolor Braided
page 100
Twined
page 103
This braided cast on is a decorative method
using two yarn colors. It produces a firm, attractive edge with a good amount of stretch. This method is slow to work, but the end result is worth it, especially when used in combination with two-color stitch patterns, such as the corrugated ribbing shown below. I see this as a beautiful edge, for instance, around the bottom of a colorwork mitten. In structure, this cast on is like the Long-Tail Cast On (
page 25
), but using two colors of yarn.
CHARACTERISTICS
⢠Attractive multicolor edge
⢠Elastic edge
GOOD FOR
⢠Corrugated, or two-color, ribbing
⢠Bottoms of mittens and hats
⢠Stranded knitting, such as that in Fair Isle or Scandinavian patterns
⢠Any multicolor knitting: helix, mosaic, twined, and more
This cast-on method produces two unique edges, depending on which way you twist the yarn.
A counterclockwise twist makes an edge that looks like a cord. This is the way to set up the corrugated ribbing too.
A clockwise twist gives the edge a braided look.
Holding the two yarns together, make a slip knot, leaving a short tail, and place it on the needle.
