If you want to decorate your project with a lovely slim cast on edge that looks the same on both sides of the work, try the Easy Picot Cast On method.
We used elements of this cast on in the criss-cross cast on edging that we discussed some time ago, but this simple and effective technique deserves some spotlight on its own.
The cast-on edge formed by this method looks great on scarves, blankets, hats, socks, mittens, shawls, sweaters, cardigans and pretty much anything else. The edge has a moderate amount of stretch and holds its shape well. The best part is – it is simple and quick.
Let’s see how we can do it step by step.
STEP 1
Using the long-tail cast on method, cast on the number of stitches that you need for your project.
I plan to make my swatch 10 stitches wide, so that is the number of stitches I cast on.
STEP 2
[Knit 1 stitch, then make a stitch by pulling a yarn wrap from under the bottom of the cast on edge (see the step-by-step photos below)], work brackets to the last stitch, knit the last stitch.
If you work in the round, work the brackets to the end of the round.
The second part of the instructions in the brackets is a bit unusual – we make a new stitch by pulling a yarn wrap from under the cast on edge. This little trick is necessary for forming a lovely picot edge that is the pride and joy of this cast on method.
Even though this manipulation with yarn and needles is not common, it is not hard to do.
WATCH EVERY STEP IN THIS VIDEO TUTORIAL
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Here’s how it happens step by step:
2.1. Move the tip of the right needle down and to the back of the cast on edge.
2.2. Wrap the working yarn around the tip of the right needle same way as we do when we knit a stitch.
2.3. Move the tip of the right needle (with the wrap on it) from under the cast on edge to the front of the work.
Another unusual thing about this step is that we’ve almost doubled the number of stitches. This is perfectly fine. We’ll deal with those extra stitches in the next step.
STEP 3
In this step, we work the first row or round of the main stitch pattern of the project, while also getting rid of the extra stitches. We do it by working two stitches together.
Here’s how:
If you work back and forth, work 1 stitch (knit or purl it depending on the stitch pattern that you follow), [work two stitches together (again knit them together or purl them together according to the pattern)], repeat the brackets to the end of the row.
My swatch will be made in plain stockinette stitch, so, in this step, I knit the first stitch and then I knit every 2 stitches together to the end of the row.
If you work in the round, don’t work the first stitch separately, just work every two stitches together to the end of the round.
Now the number of stitches is back to the number we cast on in Step 1.
This edging looks great with any stitch pattern. It blends in with the smooth texture of stockinette and stockinette-based stitch patterns, and it provides contrast to textured stitch patterns like garter stitch.
SAVE IT FOR LATER
This and 44 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #5.
