Knitting basic instructions

Knitting instructions: How do you cast on loosely?

The first socks I knit had no stretch, were cast on too tightly, and never worn. For many years they stayed in my parents’ chest of drawers because only a parent could love those socks.

I remember knitting them, having learned to knit a year or two before. My mother bought me a kit to knit argyle socks, and I was using knitting bobbins for the first time. Also I was knitting for the first time with colors and in the round. In retrospect, it was a project far beyond my years — both in knitting experience and my actual age. Still, I stubbornly completed two socks.

If you’ve ever had a sweater, a hat, or a pair of gloves with a too-tight band, you know the pitfalls of casting on too tightly: not only can the edge constrict and be uncomfortable, they can also wear unevenly or even fray.

Knitting loosely can also be critical when knitting lace, or an edging that’s irregular, like a rippled afghan or entrelac. That is if you want the edge to lie flat, and not pull funny.

Loose cast on

There are several ways to cast on loosely. Some are better for certain projects, or certain knitters. Not every cast on technique fits every knitter. It’s okay to pick and choose the technique you like. Learning more than one technique can come in handy. You may want a different edge depending upon the yarn, the pattern, or even just the project.

Is one of these your favorite method to cast on loosely?

Adjusting the tension in the yarn to cast on loosely.
Casting on a larger needle: one that’s a size or two larger than the needles with which you’ll be knitting.
Holding two needles together to cast on. You hold the needles as if they are one, and may want to slip one off before starting to knit.
Casting on with two needles and a long tail cast. There’s a video with the knitting instructions here.
This is probably best for the knitter both familiar and comfortable with the long tail cast on method.
Another option is one from Knitting with Laura. She ingeniously uses a crochet hook to cast on, and spaces the cast-on stitches with chain stitches between. Her knitting instructions are here.
I’ve used this one, and it works beautifully for both entrelac and ripple stitch.

What’s your favorite method?

Garter ripple kitchen set

When you’re looking for a quick project to try out your loose casting on method, check out my Knit Garter Ripple Kitchen Set pattern here.

Garter stitch: basic knitting patterns

What’s the first knitting stitch most of us learn?

Plain knitting, also known as the garter stitch!

On two needles, garter stitch is all knitting. Every stitch. So, once you’ve cast on, it’s only one stitch to learn or practice. Of course, if you knit in the round, it’s one round (or row) of knitting alternating with a round of purling.

There is a symmetry to garter stitch not found in stockinette. 10 stitches is the same length as 10 ridges, or 20 rows. I think that is so cool, but then I’ve always loved math!

And garter stitch knit on 2 needles lies flat. The edges don’t curl. So, it makes a nice edging, or strap. As an edging, garter stitch is often used to flatten a pattern that otherwise would curl. I like it as a strap for a purse or bag.

Knitting tip: When knitting a strap, you can cast on the stitches lengthwise and knit. Yes you have long rows, but it often seems easier and faster than knitting many short rows.

Its ridges give garter stitch a texture — and a thickness — not found in stockinette stitch.

Beginners often start making scarves in garter stitch. Making a long scarf can be excellent practice in the stitches. Hopefully not to the point of getting bored of garter stitch, though.

In cotton, it also makes great dishcloths, and dish towels. I like the ridges for scrubbing dishes — or absorbing the water when drying them!

And it can make washcloths, towels, sweaters, and more… My sister likes to make watch caps with it instead of ribbing.

I looked for the origin of the term garter stitch. And couldn’t find it. I suspect it was used in garters — bands that used to be used frequently to hold up socks and stockings. If you know its origin, please share in the comments!

Meanwhile, I’m going to keep knitting…

Knitting instructions: How do you cast on loosely?

Garter stitch: basic knitting patterns

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