Ranking the 10 stretchiest cast-ons in knitting [a masterclass]

Рет қаралды 9,927

Күн бұрын

Comparing the stretchiest cast-ons in knitting and the important theory behind it
► Read the full post here: nimble-needles.com/stitches/t...
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This video is a knitting masterclass on cast-ons. It will help you understand how they work and how you can manipulate them to achieve stretchier cast-on edges. By comparing it to the longtail cast-on as a benchmark, you can easily find the technique that's best for your next project.
The stretchiness of a cast-on will depend on your needle size and your tension but, of course, also on the technique. By combining two different techniques for one edge, you can explore virtually endless opportunities.
0:00 Introduction to the stretchiest cast-ons
1:01 The benchmark: Longtail cast-on
3:56 The longtail cast-on around two needles
6:46 The 2-needle cast-on
11:44 The German twisted cast-on
14:47 The knitted cast-on
17:23 The cable cast-on
19:46 The Italian cast-on
23:44 Alternating cast-on - knit and purlwise
28:29 Alternating different cast-ons
37:20 Last thoughts
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Пікірлер: 119

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

If you want to learn about stretchy bind-offs as well, do watch this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hp2IaNJ8scqVqGw.html Note: I recently hurt my finger tip. That's why I am wearing the red finger protector. No other reason.

@beyondslwadams4225 Ай бұрын

Please don't hurt your digits. Accident's happen. Wear Steele gloves 🧤 😉

@beyondslwadams4225 Ай бұрын

Now to knit steel gloves 🤔 💭💭💭

@wendyellis6402 29 күн бұрын

I hope it heals quickly ❤

@1lmp1 Ай бұрын

Busy day today, saw only the first minute, will watch later. This is what every knitter will need to watch. Typical Norman perfectionism. 🙂

@valeriewoods6754 Ай бұрын

Thank you for this extremely useful and expertly put together comparison. A valuable template for future projects.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

I sure hope it is/will be

@NYKnitter Ай бұрын

Oh what timing , I was just playing around with scrap yarn but you have done the work for us

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

tho...playing around with scrap yarn is always fun. That's how I find most of my ideas!

@cindyfrye3026 Ай бұрын

I watched one of your videos about cast on when I was first learning to knit. Watching this one after I've had more experience, I think I understand it much more. Thank you for presenting cast on stretch comparisons in this video.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

that definitely has the ring of truth. I mean, before you internalized the motions, some deeper details I talk about it will totally elude you or at least things won't connect properly. At least it's like that for me ;-P

@ellerich3717 Ай бұрын

As a continental knitter, I’ve found it easier to use a crochet hook when tackling the alternating cable cast on. It’s much easier for me to do it that way instead of wrestling with trying to capture the yarn from the other side of the needle.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

heh. yah, crochet hooks can be very fun for casting on. But I thought some of the concepts in this video were already very deep and I didn't want to introduce yet another element.

@Morghena Ай бұрын

That's so smart! I've only had one project with a cable cast on and I was struggling so much with it. Will try it with a crochet hook next time!

@tl4214 Ай бұрын

I love seeing your examples. I can now visualize why the pattern calls for a specific cast on technique. 😊

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

I plan to add an article on my blog with pictures next week as well.

@lb4001 2 күн бұрын

I knit the "English" way (I didn't know it was called that until Norman mentioned it😊)and cast on the cable cast on like my Mom showed me when I was 6. It is neater. I am eager to learn a rib cast on. Edit: At the end you do show rib cast-ons.Thanks Norman. Just what I want to learn to do.

@estephanieliendo7319 Ай бұрын

Wow knitting is a wonderful world. Thanks for showing it to us Norman :)))

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

it is indeed & you are very welcome

@katherinebarbery1762 Ай бұрын

Brilliant video,showing all the cast ons,don't think it has been done before❤

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

glad you enjoyed it. Though I think there were videos like this one before. I mean, different but I'm not the first knitter ever to compare cast-ons :)

@collenelollar2425 Ай бұрын

I have so much to learn. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful teaching!!!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

@Morghena Ай бұрын

Fantastic video! I still use the 2 needle long tail cast-on for my socks and I feel like I should experiment more, so I'll use this as inspiration. Also, I don't know if you're planning a blog post about this, but a graph of these pinned swatches with labels of the used cast-on method would be so incredibly helpful!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

I intend to do this today or tomorrow. I am just a bit stressed right now :P

@Morghena Ай бұрын

@@NimbleNeedles Awesome! Absolutely no rush ☺

@Maunzies Ай бұрын

Whenever I am learning a new technique or need to refresh something, I watch your videos. (Or when you upload) They are informative and your technical explanations work very well for my brain . thank you :)

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

i am very happy to hear that. I'll try to keep new videos comming then, eh? :)

@manonc1888 Ай бұрын

Hello Norman, hope you are well! Just love watching all the tips and tricks you shared with all of us. What a Pro! Keep on sharing, we love it ❤

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

Thanks, will do! (even tho this video does not seem to be all that popular :P)

@cherylkessell8016 Ай бұрын

Thanks for the thoughtfulness in your explanations. You make me a braver knitter.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

I am very happy to hear that. Knitters can be bold!

@jill552 Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

You're welcome!

@katheard262 Ай бұрын

Thank you!! Each and every video I learn something new (usually multiple new things). I appreciate all the work you put into your videos.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

very happy to hear that - especially as the algorithm does not seem to favor this video :(

@patarcher1813 Ай бұрын

Excellent informative video. I like how you showed the length and how decorative a cast on can look. Thank you ❤

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

glad you appreciate the extra effort that went into this video

@wendyellis6402 29 күн бұрын

Great demonstration, Norman. I work the cable cast on and knitted cast on with a slight difference. I move the stitch to the left needle through the BOTTOM of the stitch, rather than just slipping it on directly, as you do. I feel that this results in a bit more stretch. I prefer to use the cable or knitted cast on when casting on a larger number of stitches because I never run out of yarn, and avoid twisting it. English knitter here 😉

@lb4001 2 күн бұрын

I'm also a cable cast on Eng knitter. I will try your version.Thanks Wendy.

@binary_terror2 Ай бұрын

I’m a pretty new knitter so I didn’t even know there were so many ways to cast on! cool!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

heh. actually there are quite a bit more of them still!

@valeriehowden471 Ай бұрын

I use your bind off comparision video all the time. I guess this 1 will be tied with it soon. Many thanks from Canada.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

Great to hear! greetings back from Vienna, Valerie

@Westibule Ай бұрын

This was so useful! Thank you for putting it together

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

my pleasure

@aolster3198 Ай бұрын

Beautifully presented and narrated! Thank you!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@aolster3198 Ай бұрын

@@NimbleNeedlesBEST CO comparison video EVER!

@alyssaroseknits Ай бұрын

OMG THANK YOU! You are seriously the best! ❤❤❤ I appreciate you! ❤❤❤

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

You're so welcome!

@Miffy_creates Ай бұрын

So informative & helpful many thanks 😊

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

you are very welcome

@dianegordon4410 Ай бұрын

As usual, Danke, Danke, Danke Schoen! 😊

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

heh! it's my pleasure. glad that this little video helps you :)

@LottaSocks Ай бұрын

Norman, this is AMAZING!!! So much to think about, try, play!!! Thoroughly enjoy a video that explains the why & how with end results. I don’t think I would have thought about alternating K and/or P on a cast on. (or alternatively, bind off) I have a book of cast on/bind off techniques. I’ll be looking at it from a different perspective, thanks! As always, thank you for re-charging the ‘ol grey matter! Another priceless video!!!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

very happy to hear that this video was well received. Since the algorithm doesn't especially seem to like it I am already starting to doubt myself >.

@LottaSocks Ай бұрын

@@NimbleNeedles Not sure how much faith I’d have in algorithms these days. Instructional videos like yours, for me, are referenced as needed, or when a problem/question arises on a project, I start looking/searching for xyz topic. Some vids I’ve looked at were made months, even years ago! Please don’t get discouraged! Your very informative videos are available when someone needs them! I’m always watching your new episodes shortly after they show up on YT. I have also saved sooo many (future reference)!

@thereevesfamily5278 Ай бұрын

This is a gem! Lots of videos on different types of cast-ons out there with stretchy claims, but nothing that actually compares them! I re-started socks 17 times as cast on was just too tight. I actually found the alternating cable cast on much stretchier than Italian. Maybe because it was alternating 1x1 rib? Also, could you please do a video explaining the differences between Italian, tubular and cable cast ons - knit and 1x1 rib? It seems like people use these names interchangeably. Thanks!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

the italian cast-on an the tubular cast-on are the exact same thing. the difference is that with a tubular cast-on you add two (sometimes 4) rows of double knitting ontop of it. But the base is the exact same. The cable cast-on is something entirely different. You can make it stretchier by pulling out the loops a lot bigger and I suspect that is what is happening for most people who say it's stretchy for them.

@tsoonklah Ай бұрын

This is soooo helpful, thank You, Thank You, ThAnK YoU, THANK YOU!😸

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

You're so welcome! glad my wee video can make a difference :)

@tsoonklah 29 күн бұрын

@@NimbleNeedles Since I started this fiber art journey, it’s shocked me how nice, helpful & giving the community’s been, I started to do something creative & then my goal became to help keep my tribe’s designs “alive” with contemporary techniques, making colorful, casual and comfortable garments that’s more available & affordable than regalia that can be thousands $.

@EvieO1950 Ай бұрын

I’ve been trying to figure out cast ons and stretchiness and when to use what. And had some incorrect info stuck in my head. Thanks so much for the details on the construction and deconstruction of the cast on. I will change how I cast on for top down socks based on what I learned here. Thanks!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

do know, however, that the stretchiness also depends a bit on your tension. That's, of course, a factor I cannot factor in but it still will account for some differences compared to my results.

@Marinaxp1 Ай бұрын

The best !👍👍💗

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

💗💗💗

@CathyCollazo-f5r 14 күн бұрын

Thank you

@flowerdolphin5648 Ай бұрын

Damn, the cable cast on would've been perfect for when I did the thumb holes in my elbow gloves, wish I would've known that then.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

yeah, it can be great for those. Tho, I personally prefer the knitted cast-on for thumbs and fingers.

@ffemme7378 Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

thank YOU for supporting my work

@ginninadances Ай бұрын

Nice! Thank you! There's another not well known cast on that I need to email you that leads to an even number of stitches that I haven't tried yet since you are comparing.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

sure. feel free to share it any time :)

@gardenvarietyfae Ай бұрын

That cast on alternating e cast on with cable cast on is really close to one of my favorites, the Chinese waitress cast on.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

hm...no...the chinese waitress cast-on is just a simple variation of the standard crochet cast-on. I never felt it deserved its own name.

@pattigolden1 Ай бұрын

I love German twisted...but I've also noticed that Chinese waitress (double chain?) cast on is extremely stretchy (AND elastic), especially for a "short tail", its also pretty.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

yes..but it's just a simple variation of the crochet cast-on, which in return is just a knitted cast-on. You can basically do the same with every other cast-on as well. I personally felt that giving that its own weird name makes knitters miss the important bit.

@heatherroach7817 Ай бұрын

I have explored various cast on methods recently and came across the Double-twist loop cast on method featured in Midori Hirose's Ranunculus sweater. It seems very stretchy and it would be interesting to see how it compares to your other examples when knit on the same needles.

@NimbleNeedles 24 күн бұрын

well, those single cast-ons are typically as stretchy as the needle size you pick. BUt i haven't compared it yet (Sorry for replying so late-ish)

@anska7475 Ай бұрын

Oh, I will give the Italian cast on a try for the next pair of socks then, thank you for the diligent research and the lovely video. I wonder, will you do a follow up with bind-offs, because that's where I usually run into issues with stretchiness. Long tail around two needles might be my least favourite way to cast-on. It's not exactly stretchy really, it just creates a row or two of a looser fabric. Since I have a tendency to knit tightly, this leads to a somewhat awkward situation at the start of the project.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

no, I already have such a video :P kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hp2IaNJ8scqVqGw.html

@anska7475 Ай бұрын

@@NimbleNeedles Oh, how have I completely missed that one? Thank you for the reminder. ^^;

@theastewart6721 Ай бұрын

Hi Norman. What a wonderful video! Very informative. I have a question. Many of us do the cable cast on and knitted cast on by putting the new stitch on by going underneath and up through the stitch. Will this make a difference? Thanks for another great and very in-depth tutorial.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

I am not quite sure I entirely understand what you mean but I'd lean towards l, yes, it makes a difference. Every tiny little tension decision will. But maybe not a big one 😅

@bsfb3ar 17 күн бұрын

I’m e always using German CO . After seeing you tutorial I think I would like to start using the Italian c o I love the finished look. I just have to keep repeat watching your tutorial until get the hang of it. Any advice?😊

@NimbleNeedles 17 күн бұрын

I have a dedicated tutorial on my second channel. That's maybe a bit easier if this was a bit too fast. Or on my blog, all tutorials are also available on my blog nimble-needles.com/stitches/how-to-knit-the-italian-cast-on/

@bethlove6339 Ай бұрын

Is there a bind off which would Match the Look of the 2 needle cast on. I love it, but on blanket s and scarf it won't match?

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

the 2-needle cast-on looks exactly as a standard longtail cast-on. For matching edges, the easiest way is starting with a provisional cast-on (not in this video), and then binding off the same way on both sides.

@kj-sf4md Ай бұрын

Stretch vs elasticity. Stretching is on thing, which will also recoil? I may want something to stretch over the head, but i do not a streched out neck.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

that will depend on your fiber and not so much on the cast-on

@pinkypilot Ай бұрын

Thank you, so much Norman. By the way, where can I purchase that beautiful pair of scissors?

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

sadly, no where anymore. the maker who did this passed away last year

@KCYarnie Ай бұрын

I would love to see how those compare to tillybuddy’s super stretchy cast on (on KZfaq from about 7 years ago.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

That cast-on is included in this video - it just goes by a different name. 🥰 (Towards the end if this video, under alternating cast-ons)

@fel944 Ай бұрын

Hi Norman how are you doing today iam doing fine today thank you for the information stay safe ❤❤❤

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

I'm a little bit stressed right now but enjoyed a lush drink on the terrace just a moment ago. So all I fine! Thank you for asking.

@sietievdw5404 Ай бұрын

The cable cast on is very stretchy when you do the 1 purl and 1 knit, ideally for socks

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

yes, the cable cast-on can be adjusted easily for more stretchiness if you pull out the loops farther or combine it with other methods. Since there are like 50 different combinations, I couldn't possibly include them all here and just presented the base methods. Also, contrary to what most people think, socks actualyl don't need a stretchy cast-on. I typically only cast-on around one needle size larger.

@sietievdw5404 Ай бұрын

@@NimbleNeedles when I did one needle size larger it became to loose, why I use the cable cast on it is because with other cast on I can not put my socks over my heel, they are not stretchy enough. And I love the cable cast on because the edge looks so nice

@LindaElsden-v9i 18 күн бұрын

Hi Norman, just a comment about your method of doing cable cast on. When you put the stitch on the needle it would be twisted for English knitters. When English knitters use the cable cast they turn the stitch before putting it on the needle.

@NimbleNeedles 17 күн бұрын

Has nothing to do with knitting style. You can twist it or untwist it. Those are two different versions of the same method.

@LindaElsden-v9i 18 күн бұрын

Also why didn't you show tubular cast on. It makes a very stretchy edge and beautifully neat.

@NimbleNeedles 17 күн бұрын

The tubular cast-on is no cast-on. It's an Italian cast-on with 2 rows of double-knitting. That's why i didn't show it. It brings nothing new to the table. (I did mention it in the video, tho)

@cynthiaryan2901 Ай бұрын

My head is spinning! LOL

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

round right round? xD

@lindaarmstrongjackman9788 Ай бұрын

In the second one(on two needles) you said you knit actoss, but was that not a purl row? The German twist is too complicated for me.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

ah...the ambiguity of the English language. To knit means both the act of doing knitting and to knit the knit stitch. I wish we could finally change the names for knit and purl stitches. That would make things so much easier. Regardless, you can knit across that row any way you like. I just tried to keep things consistent for this video so the comparison is sound.

@beyondslwadams4225 Ай бұрын

Whhhaaatttt??!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤do it! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

;-)

@nicolelafontaine1720 Ай бұрын

So many options, I get a bit dizzy !!! Do you know the Chinese waitress cast-on ? I find it quite stretcy and it looks good. too.

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

yes. While I wish people would stop calling it that name, there's a tutorial on my main blog for it. I can upload a video to my second yt channel next week or so. nimble-needles.com/stitches/how-to-knit-the-twisted-chain-cast-on/

@StrontiumToad Ай бұрын

Hmmm...very interesting topic but, which are the opposite?: firm, tenacious, rigid...

@NimbleNeedles Ай бұрын

well, I do hope that by integrating things like the cable cast-on and the strandard longtail cast-on, I already showed you the less stretchy ones :) If you want it even firmer, you'd have to resort to crochet.

@StrontiumToad Ай бұрын

@@NimbleNeedles Thanks a lot. 👍