Knit a Cable Cast On

A cast on is a technique in knitting for creating the very first stitches of a project. A cable cast on creates a firm, beautiful edge that can be also be used to add stitches in the middle of a project.

The cable cast on is similar to the knit stitch, so it is a great skill for experienced knitters to learn. (Beginning knitters may want to learn the backwards loop cast on instead.) Keep reading to learn how to use this cast on.

Steps

  1. Make a slipknot.
    • Make a loop in the yarn.
    • Make another loop and pull it through this loop.
    • Pull the slipknot tight.
  2. Place the slipknot on the needle and pull it snug.
  3. Insert the right needle through the slipknot, as if to knit.
  4. Wrap the working yarn around the right needle as if you are going to knit.
  5. Work a knit stitch, but do not slip the stitch off the left needle.
  6. Bring the right needle up and place the stitch onto the left needle. Pull out the right needle. Now you will have two stitches on your left needle.
  7. Insert the right needle in between the two stitches on the left needle.
  8. Wrap the working yarn around the right needle.
  9. Pick up the wrapped yarn with the right hand needle and pull it through the two stitches.
  10. Bring the right needle up and place the stitch onto the left needle.
  11. Pull out the right hand needle. You should have three stitches.
  12. Repeat steps 7-11 until you created the appropriate number of cast on stitches, lightly tightening the stitches as you go along.



Tips

  • If you are short on yarn, then the cable cast on is good as it uses less yarn than the long tail method.

Warnings

  • The cable cast on takes longer than other methods and some find it tricky, but can be worth it for the firm edge.
  • This is not for beginner knitters––don't use it until you've mastered the knit stitch. A better cast on for beginners is the backwards loop method.

Things You'll Need

  • Knitting needles
  • Knitting yarn

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Sources and Citations

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