Which increasing method to choose ...

[VictoriaE]

I'm working on a basic T-shaped sweater and I've gotten to the point where I need to add 25 stitches on each end to start making the sleeves. Since I am simply adding 25 stitches at the beginning and the end of the current knitted piece, would it make the most sense to use a "single cast-on" method, or do I need to use a different method?

[knitqueen]

You have to use one of the single cast on methods. Cable cast on, backward loop, or knit-on cast on.

[VictoriaE]

You have to use one of the single cast on methods. Cable cast on, backward loop, or knit-on cast on.

Awesome, thank you! I'm doing knit one row then purl one row. I'm getting ready to start a knit row, so casting on should be easy. I started from the bottom up - is that going to cause me a problem when I have to "create" the sleeves and the neck hole?

[suzeeq]

Nope. You cast on for one sleeve, then knit across. Cast on at the beginning of the next row and purl across. Work until you need to BO stitches for the neck and then you'll cast on those BO stiches - if doing it up one side and down the other. The pattern will direct you how to proceed.

sue

[VictoriaE]

I'm actually not working from a pattern, just from an example of a vintage sweater that I found. Still, sounds simple enough.

I've been trying the "single cast-on" method that the Stitch n Bitch book recommends on page 68. In doing so, I get some very long spare yarn in between the right and left needle - has anyone else experienced this?

[nonny2t]

I have already made a couple sweaters similar to what you said and I just used a simple thumb cast on to do it. I made sure the very first cast on stitch was pretty tight and close so there wouldn't be a whole between the body of the sweater and the sleeve. Don't feel too bad, I have made three sweaters altogether where you cast on the sleeve to the body of the sweater and the first time, I did it the wrong end and merrily knitted away for several rows then looked at it and wondered ! I have become quite adept at frogging!!! I have to do it at least twice per project!

[suzeeq]

Some of the single cast ons can be loose and you seem to have extra yarn. What I've done when using a backward cast on is to cast on one less, then when you get to the regular stitches and the loose length of yarn, use that to make the stitch you left out. Makes the cast on tighter, though since you're going to be seaming that up, it may not matter.

sue

[knitqueen]

An alternate way to snug up that area (I like your idea though suzeeq, will have to try that sometime!) is that I cast on one extra stitch and then when I get to where the original stitches join with the new cast on stitches, I knit the last original stitch together with the first of the new cast on stitch, just as you'd do a K2tog.

[suzeeq]

An alternate way to snug up that area (I like your idea though suzeeq, will have to try that sometime!) is that I cast on one extra stitch and then when I get to where the original stitches join with the new cast on stitches, I knit the last original stitch together with the first of the new cast on stitch, just as you'd do a K2tog.

Yeah, I've thought of that too. It's basically `whatever works' knitting. heeee

sue