Different Cast on Methods

[carla25]

I am still learning alot about knitting and I am wondering about the different cast on methods. I was taught this method, but I see other methods too. I was wondering what is the difference, do they make a better/prettier border or what?

[suzeeq]

They're mostly just different and everyone has a preference. However, when you're in the middle of a piece and the pattern instructs to to CO several sts at the beginning or end of a row, you need to use knitted, cable or backwards loop cast on as you don't have another end to do longtail CO.

[Limey]

I use different cast ons for different things:

If I'm using straight needles, I do a cable cast on - it's not difficult to learn at all and gives a nice, stretchy edge. Amy has good videos showing different cast ons.

When I started using double-pointed needles and circs. for knitting in the round, I used the long-tail cast on, as in your link, because I find it doesn't spin around the needles so much and it was much easier to line up the stitches without getting them twisted.

Whichever way you choose, enjoy your knitting

[Braden]

I use cable cast on for sweaters, because it's a firmer, heavier cast on, and I use long tail for everything else.

[cftwo]

My mom taught me the knitted cast on (similar to the cable cast on) and I use that for just about everything. I only recently learned the thumb cast on and will sometimes use that.

[dakatzmeow]

i tried the channel island cast on and i think my head imploded. i just CANNOT get that one.

i use long tail for most everything.

[of troy]

i am a bit of a cast on fanatic.

back in march i did a 4 part series about cast on's (followed by a single page about cast off methods.)

you can see it here

there are differences between cast on's, and i recommend/suggest taking a partial ball of yarn, or an odd lot ball, and making a cast on sampler. (i show mine one of the pages)

then you can
1--learn a cast on
2--see how it looks
3-see how stretchy (or firm) it is
4--see how well it matches a standard (or other!) cast off.

I list 35 cast on's, and there are more!
Part 4 of the tutorial is a page of links to On-line video and photo tutorials, list of reference books, and other sources of info on how to work each cast on.

of all the cast on's i know, i must say i use LONG TAIL (aka thumb and sling shot) OR A VARIENT (norwegian long tail, braided long tail, 2 color long tail, etc) about 50% of the time.

my next favorite is a tubular cast on (there are at least 3 ways to do this cast on!)

and for knitting in the round, i like both the emily ocker and Loop cast on.

some cast on's are prettier (my current blog entry has a pair of socks with a channel island cast on.. very pretty, very stretchy (not to hard to do, but there aren't any good on line instructions either, so its hard to learn!)
and some cast on's are more useful (LONG TAIL!) but you, too could spend a life time learning cast ons!