Knit together the first two stitches on the left needle THROUGH THE BACK LOOP. It is similar to cable cast-on in that you add a new loop to the needle without the “hitch” of the long-tail cast-on. I also recommend making this with a smooth, strong yarn because you have to firmly pull the knots into place. That’s because you’re figuring out how to consistently cast on stitches with a little bit of extra yarn. I'm the Furious Knitter (FK), and I write KNIT FURIOUSLY to share what I've learned from over 15 years of knitting. The key here is to leave a long-tail that is four times the length of the edge you want. The alternating cable cast on is also quite stretchy, making it nicely suited for ribbing… It stretched to 7 inches, which was about as good as the regular long-tail cast-on. If you want to use these methods, remember that it will take time to break your existing habit and cast on in a new way. I knit furiously, meaning that I am a fast and prolific knitter and that I swear loudly every time I drop a stitch. But if you're designing something for yourself, does it matter what kind of ribbing you use? This was another method from the same video by 10rowsaday. I loved the elasticity of this cast-on, but it was certainly the most difficult to make neatly. The cable cast-on adds no additional yarn or space between the stitches on the needle. Another option to add a little more yarn in between your stitches is to use a larger needle to cast-on. Good advice. There comes a time in your knitting journey when you begin to find that patterns stop holding your hand through the process and basically let you choose-your-own-adventure when it comes to completing your knitted piece. Speed, efficiency, comfort, and neatness! This is indeed a very stretchy bind off; that Jeny really … No slip knots and … This is particularly food for 2×2 ribbing. The alternating cable cast on is a beautiful invisible cast on that looks great with ribbing. Thus it can be corrected by making that distance shorter, either by putting lots on tension on the yarn when you move to purl or tightening the purl stitch after knitting it or by working the purl stitches like a combination knitter so less yarn is used to form the stitch. When knitting the 2 x 2 rib stitch, you are knitting two stitches and purling two stitches along the row. I don’t recommend using either the long-tail or cable cast-on methods for openings that need to stretch a lot. This website (knitfuriously.com) is owned and operated by the Furious Knitter (FK) and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. And by the way it's completely beginner friendly. You stick the right-hand needle between the top two stitches on the left-hand needle, wrap the yarn around the right needle and then transfer the wrap to the left-hand needle, forming a stitch. Other methods may give a neat, defined edge with additional loops or twists providing the extra yarn. You’ll want to emulate this as much as possible if you are hell-bent on using an inelastic method like the LTCO or the cable cast-on. When you alternate one knit stitch with one purl stitch your fabric has a very tight columns of stitches. (Hint: It’s not the twisted German cast-on!). For a rib stretchy bind off: as a rule of thumb, remember to knit the knits and purl the purls. That’s because the Twisted German cast-on is actually a long-tail cast-on! 3.5 out of 5 stars 6 ratings. When you knit ribbing, you are adding more stitches into every inch of the fabric, which means you have more stitches that can expand. When you knit ribbing, you are adding more stitches into every inch of the fabric, which means you have more stitches that can expand. The edges of the cast on elegantly merge right into the knits and purls, giving the illusion of no cast on at all. From there, you do the cast-on row with loosely wrapped stitches. Stretchy and elastic knit one purl one rib stitch makes it simple to shape your hems and cuffs. You will need to have a multiple of 4 amount of stitches on the needle so that the pattern works out better. This is actually the method I use myself when I knit ribbing, mainly because it’s so easy to switch out the tips of my interchangeable needles. I have been using the same so-called stretchy cast-on methods for years, but I only recently decided to look at a few different kinds and find the truly stretchiest one. Single rib (k1, p1) needs a multiple of 2 stitches, Double rib (k2, p2) needs a multiple of 4 stitches, Triple rib (k3, p3) needs a multiple of 6 stitches. Calison Stretchy Cotton Polyester Rib Knit Fabric 2x1 Ribbing Solid Color Fabric by The Yard 1 Yard Precut Piece Brand: Calison. It is almost identical to the long-tail cast on, but you alternate grabbing the yarn from the near-side of the thumb and the far-side of the index finger. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. "The more stitches there are packed into every inch of the fabric, the more elasticity it will have and the less likely it is that the ribbing will stretch out and lose its resilience with wear." The holy grail of knitting – making a stretchy bindoff. Hiatt says "you can hardly use a needle too small" when knitting ribbing for a garment. Sarah is a freelance writer, editor, and crafter. If you've already learned one knitting method, such as English or continental, why bother learning another way of holding the yarn and needles? Experienced knitters know that using the right needle size can mean the difference between a well-fitting and overly large sweater. #8 Simple Stretchy Bind-off. So twist the stitches if you want to for looks, but don't do it to gain elasticity. Rib Stretchy Bind Off Step-by-Step. The stretchiest cast-on methods add in extra yarn to create an elastic–rather than rigid–edge that will grow to accommodate an wider circumference than the knitting. Start your ribbing. In The Principles of Knitting, June Hemmons Hiatt explains this as being because of the distance the yarn has to travel when switching between a knit and a purl. Some knitting patterns recommend doing the long-tail cast-on with a larger needle. However, choosing the correct needles can be intimidating. The distance you put between them is all you’re going to get, so it’s not a good fit for sock cuffs or anything else that needs to stretch. That space is what gives you stretch. For example, if you have want a 5″ cast-on edge, you’d need a tail of 20″. For necklines and front/button bands, I use a standard bind-off in pattern, meaning, if I am working a 1 x 1 Ribbing, I bind off in the same rib with the working needle or one size larger (to avoid making the rib too tight). While we’re on the topic, let’s look of that old standard, the long-tail cast-on (LTCO). Personal preference plays a big role in what ribbing you choose, but there are some other considerations. However, the advantage is that it gives you a stretchy edge that is almost invisible. In other words, lightly hold the last stitch that you cast on with your right index finger. 3. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to slide the cast-on stitches easily on the needle. The tip of your finger creates a block that prevents you from snugging up the stitches too tightly and too close to each other on the needle. Price: $9.98 & FREE Shipping: Color: H-blue 2X1 Rib knit fabric Stretchy Fabric Cuff fabric beautiful colors I got the same three inches of stretch with this cast-on. For these I use Jeny’s Stretchy Bind-Off but with a needle … Be aware that while it does give you a little more yarn, you risk having overly large stitches on the cast-on edge. In knitting ribbing is created by alternating stitches to make columns. It’s often the first cast-on that knitters learn, and it’s also one of the only ones I knew from memory for a long time. ), Similar set-up and movement to the long-tail cast-on, Can cast on anywhere, even in the middle of a row, Must snug the slipknots right next to each other, Need to knit the first stitch of the first row, Make sure that you keep the needle tips close together, Professional, edge-list look (The stitches appear magically! However, ribbing is what makes a knitting project stretchy. This method is extremely stretchy. If you were to use the long-tail cast-on for a top-down sock, the ribbing that starts at the cuff will stretch, but the cast-on edge itself would not. Don’t be discouraged! Many yarns, in particular those made from wool- and acrylic-based fibers, has some degree of natural stretch. ), VeryPinkKnits has a clear, slow-motion video, “Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off,” which was published in, test out a few so-called “stretchy” cast-ons, Same Berroco Vintage Chunky yarn in a strange mushroom color, Cast-off using the method (also stretchy one, but that’s for another post! Additionally, you only need one needle to make it. These methods can work to add a little more stretch to the long-tail and cable cast-ons, but would ultimately learning other elastic cast-on methods for an edge that needs to stretch. Jeny shared this method as the counterpart to her “Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off,” which was published in Knitty magazine in 2009. Another very different kind of cast on. Many t-shirts feature a rib knit in the collars as well as in the cuffs due to the ideal of amount elasticity in this fabric. However, ribbing is what makes a knitting project stretchy. It works well with both 1×1 and 2×2 rib. Stretchy ribbing knitting is truly as versatile as it gets, especially if you prefer to knit garments. Calison Stretchy Cotton Polyester Rib Knit Fabric 2x1 Ribbing Solid Color Fabric by The Yard … Most will accommodate different patterns of ribbing, but may require some special tweaks. I, for one, will be switching from the twisted German method to one of the more elastic methods described above! It is a great stitch for scarves, hats, and sweaters. The cable cast-on is also not very stretchy and doesn’t play nicely with elastic ribbing. While doing research, I found a cast-on video of a method that the creator had called “The most elastic cast-on in the world.” This method is also very stretchy because it is the same as Jeny’s stretchy slipknot cast-on. (VeryPinkKnits has a clear, slow-motion video.) One benefit of this cast-on is that you create two new stitches at a time, so it comes together quickly. We can use this as a baseline. You can create a nice, moderately stretchy fabric that still has quite some grip. It creates a zig zag (that’s part of what makes … You'll also want to choose one that you enjoy knitting. This results in a tidy, pretty edge that is relatively stretchy. Many projects call for either single (knit 1, purl 1) or double (knit 2 or purl 2) rib. Your early attempts may look less neat than what you are accustomed to. But maybe you’re here because you want to know how to loosen up too tight cast-ons. To some extent, the selection of ribbing comes down to choosing a pattern you like and that will look good on the project you are planning. The main reason that you do ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches) is to create a fabric that will stretch and then spring back into place. Whichever ribbing pattern you choose, you need to make sure you cast on the proper number of stitches for it. Ribbing is the term we use for a stretchy knit fabric. Check out our stretchy rib knit selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our craft supplies & tools shops. Essentially, knitting ribbing stitches entails alternating between knit and purl stitches in some fashion. There is no way to pull the slack out after you have made the slip-knot. It works well with 1×1 and 2×2 rib. Thus, there is no need for estimating the long tail before you start–just leave a sufficient tail to weave in at the end. The produced cast-on edge is also unobtrusive and follows the ridges of the ribbing. But I have found I want a stretchier bind-off for the bottom edges of sweaters and sleeves. It is also known as: Shaker’s Rib. This method casts on and makes the first row of stitches on the needle. Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off - Perfect for ribbing! The extra yarn between your stitches is what allows a stretchy cast-on to, well, stretch. You can often find her on the couch, eating snacks and knitting furiously (in both senses of the word). My turtleback sweater is made with 3 X 3 ribbing and it's super stretchy. Note: Most patterns use the long-tail tubular cast-on for 1×1 ribbing, but it can be modified for 2×2 rib, as I did for the photo above. Overall, I think this highlights two things: I found one unique cast-on method that produced a very stretchy edge, but I couldn’t find a name for it. And it stretches even more: a 100% stretch percentage means the bind-off edge stretches to double the width of the swatch.This bind also has the same amount of extra flare as the elastic … (Figure 1) This gives is a more “professional” look that resembles the look of off-the-rack knitwear. Ribbing is the general term for any knitting pattern that results in vertical columns of knit and purl stitches. You certainly don’t want to cast on so tightly that you can’t get your needle into the stitch to knit the first row! Tillybuddy’s Very Stretchy Cast On. It is important to check that your chosen cast-on method will work with the type of ribbing in your project. A particular rib may flow nicely into the cable in the rest of the project, or a fancy two-color rib coordinates perfectly with the rest of a stranded knitting project, for example. The cast-on edge is unique in that it is a series of slip knots. To get its extra stretch, there are a series of “swoops” where you twist the yarn under and around itself. The stretchiest (and easiest) cast on and bind off There are many elegant and stretchy ways to start and end knitting, and particularly, ribbing. If this is a problem for you, try out these methods and see what works best for you. This knitting tutorial will help you learn how to knit the Fisherman’s Rib Stitch. (Although you need two needles to knit, so this isn’t necessarily a reason to choose it over any other cast-on.). Like the long-tail cast-on, you start with a sufficiently long tail and a slip knot. In short, hold the knot you’ve just made with your thumb as you pull out the extra yarn. Stretchy Bind Offs for Ribbing Clarified While researching stretchy bind offs in preparation for our Socks on a Plane Knit Along, I discovered four that are particularly good for ribbing: the Tubular Bind Off, the Invisible Rib Bind Off, the 1×1 Sewn Bind Off, and the Italian Bind Off. In this post, I took a not very scientifically rigorous look at various stretchy cast-ons. To knit it, you repeat one purl stitch and one knit stitch over and over again. Step-by-Step Instructions for the Stretchy Bind-Off Knitting Method. In general, you can and should pair a stretchy cast-on with any knitting project that has ribbing, which is designed to stretch. It is similar to the Brioche stitch but has a slightly different look. Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off. You can also hold two needles together to create a larger one. In a faux attempt at scientific rigor, I attempted to maintain some degree of consistency between the swatches. Knit or purl the first two stitches (depending on if they are a knit or a purl stitch) Depending on the last stitch, either knit those last two stitches together or purl the last two stitches together This keeps the ribbing firm and makes it more elastic (for the most part there's not a big difference in elasticity between the common forms of ribbing). Each slip-knot needs to sit snugly right up against the one before it, and you need to tighten the knots as you make them. The final method that I want to discuss is the long-tail tubular cast-on, which I consider a more “advanced” method because it takes more effort to produce cleanly. How to Knit a Ribbed Hat on Straight Needles, Converting Pattern Stitches to Knit in the Round, How to Stop Stockinette Stitch From Curling. Project types that require a stretchy cast-on include: Let’s look at socks. Now you can create that same look and function on your crochet projects. Stretchy ones, in particular, are abound due to the prevalence of knit wearables. So maybe you have slim and delicate calves, but I’ll be over here using one of the stretchier cast-on methods below for my socks! This stitch is slightly less stretchy than the 1 x 1 ribbing and pulls the knitting in less. (4″ unstretched to 7″ stretched.). They make a stretchy fabric that’s perfect for creating waistbands, cuffs, hems and necklines, but you can also use rib by itself as your main pattern. When I knitted a swatch with 20 stitches (more on my methodology below), I got seven inches of stretch out of. Here’s a video from Very Pink Knits on how to make the cable cast-on. Ultimately, Jeny’s Stretchy Slipknot Cast-on is the stretchiest one I found. The rib columns produce a flat fabric that won’t roll up at the edges like stocking stitch. You can do this by putting your thumb right next to the working yarn to keep the stitch in place as you tighten things up. At the end of the round, join in the first round by purling (or knitting) the … It is not blazingly fast, but it’s faster than most of the other stretchy bind-offs out there. If you search for “stretchy cast-on,” you’re bound to come across the “Twisted German cast-on,” sometimes called the “Old Norwegian cast-on.” This was the second cast-on method I learned and the one that I used until recently, when I went on the hunt for something stretchier. I recommend practicing so that you can make all the slipknots the same size, with even spacing. Another benefit of this cast on is that it uses only one piece of yarn (the working yarn, no tail required), so you can cast-on anywhere. While I *did* just say recommend against using the long-tail cast-on for elastic edges, the Twisted German gets its stretch from extra yarn. However, this cast-on method doesn’t work for all yarn types and can be a bit tricky, so I also recommend the very stretchy runner-up, for which I couldn’t find a name. Recall that the elasticity in a stretchy cast-on comes from extra yarn. With one notable exception, to be discussed below, you should be able to see a little bit of space between your cast-on stitches. You want it to stretch well, but you don’t want it to flair. Because of how it’s made, there only a small amount of yarn separating each stitch on the needle. However, the rigid edge also means that the long tail cast-on can’t stretch very much at all. k2p2 and add on stretchy thread…i bought one at coop , Zurich today and cannot wait to try it out… you just knit k2 p2 together with your yarn and the elastic band (very fine)… will see how it turn out… i am going to knit some socks with it … ), Involves three rows before you can start the ribbing. The hat is still completely wearable, but now I'm wondering why it happened and if it might have something to do with my technique, or if it's something else. As its name implies, the long-tail cast-on uses a long “tail” in conjunction with the working yarn. For example: A common complaint that many people have when working ribbing is that the knit stitches on the left side of a column of rib that contain two or more stitches (like a 2x2 or 3x3 rib, for instance) are often looser than the other stitches. A knitter can never have too many different cast on and bind off techniques in their arsenal. This method works well for the cable cast-on because you create more space when you wedge a larger needle in between the two top-most stitches. Plagued by past experiences with unyielding sock cuffs and hat brims, I spent some time researching and knitting swatches in order to: If you’re short on time, I recommend Jeny’s Stretchy Slipknot Cast-on as well as this unnamed “Very Stretchy Cast-on.”, I love to knit top-down socks, and it really sucks when the so-called “stretchy” cast-on edge doesn’t fit around my truly monstrous calves. Here is a video, entitled “Very Stretchy Cast-On.“. This could be used to cast on in the middle of a row, for example. The higher the tension, the more stitches are going into an inch and the elastic and firm the fabric gets. The “independent variable” was the cast-on method itself, so I kept all of the swatches as similar as possible: * Okay, admittedly, on some swatches, I knit eleven rows because I was doing this while also watching TV. 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