Italian Cast-On

What is Italian Cast-On?

Italian Cast-On is an advanced, but incredibly beautiful method for casting on stitches. It is specifically designed for 1x1 ribbing. The result is an edge that looks like it continues around from the back, completely without the typical hard cast-on edge you get with the standard long-tail cast-on.

How to do it (Step-by-step)

1

Slingshot Position

Make a slip knot or hold yarn in a V: tail over thumb, ball yarn over index finger.

2

Knit Stitch Cast On

Bring needle under thumb strand from the front, over and behind the finger strand, and draw forward.

3

Purl Stitch Cast On

Bring needle under finger strand from the back, over and behind the thumb strand, and draw forward.

4

Tubular Setup Rows

Work 2 setup rows: knit the knit stitches, and slip the purl stitches with yarn in front.

Italian cast-on forms a rounded, elastic edge by alternating yarn pick-up angles and working two tubular setup rows.

1. Start with a long tail: You need about 3-4 times the width of your project. Make a slip knot on the needle (this counts as the first knit stitch).
2. Hold the yarn: Hold the strands as with a standard long-tail cast-on, with the yarn from the ball over your index finger and the tail end over your thumb.
3. Cast on a purl stitch: Bring the needle over the front strand, under the back strand, and pick up the yarn so you get a loop on the needle.
4. Cast on a knit stitch: Bring the needle behind the back strand, under the front strand, and pick up the yarn.
5. Repeat: Continue alternating between knit and purl until you have the desired number of stitches.
6. The setup rows: To make the cast-on stable, knit 2-4 setup rows where you only knit the knit stitches and slip the purl stitches purlwise with the yarn in front.