Friday 15 January 2010

Channel Island cast on



This cast on method makes an attractive edging for many types of item. It is a lot easier to do than it looks. Try practicing with chunky needles, say 6mm, and some left over chunky yarn. I've opted for starting with a slip knot using the double thickness yarn but you can start with a slip knot using the single thickness yarn. I also found it is better to follow the cast on row with a few rows of knit stitch to stop the edge from "curling".

Just experiment and see what works for you...I used this cast on method for some fingerless gloves in the previous post click here to see.

Tip - remember to do the "yarn over" in between each stitch.

If you would like more detailed instructions, have a look at this very good YouTube video by oftroy, click here.


1. Start with a long tail. Double the length of yarn and make a slip knot as you would for a long tail cast on.


2. Grip the short spare piece out of the way in your right hand.




3. Using the single yarn (from the ball) put the "yarn over".




4. Wrap the double strand tail counter clockwise around the left thumb and push the needle up through as if you were making a knit stitch....



5. Pass the single "yarn over ".

6. Pass the double strands over as if making a knit stitch.

7. Pull firm and you have the first "knot" of the picot edging.




8. Continue with yarn over in between each stitch....


9. Keep working until you have a row of "knots".

10. Follow this cast on row with a few rows of knit stitch to prevent the edge from "curling".