There are two most common ways to make an i-cord cast on. We can form new stitches by knitting into the front and back of the first stitch as we make an i-cord. Or, we can pick up stitches from the i-cord that we’ve knitted beforehand.
Neither way is perfect. The first one forms a set of loose stitches in the first row or round of the project, and the second method is quite finicky because we have to do this cast on in two stages – make an i-cord first and pick up stitches from that i-cord in the second step.
But if we modify the first method a little bit, we can get the same beautiful result produced by the second method without any need to pick up stitches. Because, let’s be honest, who likes to look for tiny “v”s on a long slim piece of knitted fabric.
I call this method the “simplified i-cord cast on” because it is indeed very simple. There are only three steps that are easy enough even for absolute beginners.
It is a way to form new stitches at the same time as we knit an i-cord but without creating a set of sloppy loops in the first row or round of the work.
WATCH EVERY STEP IN THIS VIDEO TUTORIAL
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SETUP
We start by casting on stitches for the i-cord. It could be three to five stitches, but I find that the three-stitch version looks neater and sleeker than a wider i-cord. If you want to make a four or five stitch i-cord, you can easily adjust the instructions in this tutorial.
As to the cast on method used to form those three (or more) stitches, use any one you like. I prefer to use the slingshot version of the long-tail cast on (it is described as “way #1” in this tutorial ) because it doesn’t start with a rigid slip knot.
Turn the work.
It is the only time when we turn the work in this method. From now on, we’ll keep the right side of the work facing us until we cast on all stitches we need for our project.
STEP 1
Take the needle with the stitches in your left hand, and the other needle in your right hand. Place the right needle on the working yarn and bring the yarn over that needle and to the back of the work making a reverse yarn over.
STEP 2
Knit the stitches of the i-cord. In my swatch, it means knitting three stitches, but if your i-cord is wider, knit four or five stitches.
The very first stitch that we cast on by making a reverse yarn over is usually loose. It happens because we don’t have any fabric yet to anchor that first yarn over.
To tighten that first stitch, stop after you knit the first stitch of the i-cord and pull the yarn a bit.
You will only need to do it once. Now, that the needles are well-balanced, the rest of the stitches we cast on will be of a good size.
STEP 3
Insert the tip of the left needle from left to right into the first stitch on the right needle, and ease the right needle out, slipping that stitch to the left needle.
Do it again and again until you slip all stitches of the i-cord to the left needle.
Repeat these three steps until you cast on the number of stitches you need less one stitch. This number does not include the stitches of the i-cord.
Once you have the required number of stitches on your needles, stop after you do step 3 (when the stitches of the i-cord are on the left needle and the stitches formed by reverse yarn overs are on the right needle).
For example, to cast on eight stitches for my swatch, I stop when I have seven stitches on the right needle and three stitches of the i-cord on the left needle.
LAST STEP
Knit the stitches of the i-cord together.
In my swatch, it means knitting three stitches together, but if your i-cord is wider, you will need to knit four or five stitches together. It could be quite challenging to work so many stitches in one move, so use the method described over here to save your hands from unnecessary strain.
Now, that the cast on is finished, we are ready to make the first row or round of our project.
ROW OR ROUND 1
If you are working back and forth, the first row is going to be a wrong-side row.
Turn the project and work all stitches according to the pattern instructions for a wrong-side row. For example, to work in stockinette stitch, purl all stitches in this row.
If you make a seamless project, arrange stitches for working in the round and work the first round as instructed in your pattern.
As we do with any i-cord we make, pull the i-cord edge sideways to properly distribute the yarn between the stitches. You can do it after you work a few rows or rounds, or right after the first row or round.
You will see that this simple action not only evens out the edge, but also makes the stitches of the first row or round smaller and neater.
That’s how easy it is to form a beautifully-finished cast on edge!
HERE’S A VIDEO TUTORIAL THAT SHOWS EVERY STEP
It is a perfect way to cast on stitches for scarves, blankets, shawls, sweaters, cardigans, bottom-up hats and other projects that benefit from a lovely edge with a moderate amount of stretch.
Another great thing about this cast on method is that the edge it forms is identical to the edge created by the i-cord bind off method. If you like to add matching edges to your projects, the i-cord cast on + bind off duo is a winning combination.
This and 36 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #7.
