Cast onI am often asked this question, and the answer is that I don't have a single preference. That said, the methods I prefer do not include the 'long-tail'. Which methods do I prefer? The first method I ever learned was the'knitted cast-on'. This begins with a slip knot onto the left-hand-needle. Knit into the slip knot, just as though it were a stitch, except that the loop that is formed is placed back onto the left-hand-needle. One stitch is now cast-on. Continue in this way, knitting into the leading stitch and putting the loop formed back onto the left-hand-needle, until you have the number of stitches needed. To learn a trick to make the beginning edge of the cast-on row neater, read on.  Knitted cast-on is a nice and neat cast-on, but when I want a tighter cast-on, I use the 'cable cast-on'. This method also begins with a slip knot onto the left-hand-needle. Next, knit into the slip knot - in the usual fashion - but put the loop formed back onto the left-hand-needle. So far, it is just like the 'knitted cast-on'. Here's the difference: to proceed, stick the right-hand-needle between the two leading stitches on the left-hand-needle, rather than into the leading stitch on the left-hand-needle. Draw through a loop to be put back onto the left-hand-needle. This forms a tighter cast-on and it is the only cast-on, in my opinion, appropriate for buttonholes. I also use it at the beginnings of most garments, with the exceptions listed below. When using these methods, a common question is 'Do I twist the loop before putting it onto the left-hand-needle?' The answer is that it doesn't matter as long as you are consistent.  | ||||||
