Norweigan Cast On For Socks

jpenguin · 01-02-2009, 01:09 PM

Okay, I learned in another post that the Old Norweigan Cast On is the best for socks. Found a video telling & showing how to do. I have that much down but now I have a question.

In the video by KnitWitch.com she says that she will cast on over two needles for a stretchier cast on. Is this necessary for socks or would casting on over only the one needle be best? I just want to hug my leg & not slide down to my ankles anymore.

Thanks!

of troy · 01-02-2009, 07:48 PM

The BEST? hardly! Best is subjective

But the norwegian cast on is an excellent stretchy cast on.

I never do a cast on over 2 needles.

some swear by it.. but a long tail (standard or the Norwegian or other variation) has 2 parts.
(thumb/cast on and index/Row zero)

and if you make index (row 0) bigger (over 2 needles)
it does NOTHING for the cast on row (thumb made stitch)

a loose cast on is a result of not making the thumb yarn too tight when you snug up the stitches.

other good cast ons for socks (none are the BEST all are good!)include:
a tubular cast on
channel Island cast on
Long tail in knit and purl (1 x 1 or 2 X 2 or what ever ribbing pattern you plan to use)
other long tail variations
a picot cast on..

there are LOTS of ways to cast on (40 +) and no one cast on is the best.

Abbily · 01-02-2009, 08:47 PM

I've never done the norwegian cast on, but I have done several pairs of socks. I have tried casting on over 2 needles, and I find it VERY difficult to do. Much easier- cast on to a bigger needle than is called for in the pattern, then knit onto the correct size needle from there.

kaidyddd · 01-03-2009, 04:06 PM

What of Troy says is correct, but I know that I have a problem with the tension of the loop on the needle (index row), so casting on over two helps me out when I knit row one. It just makes it less frustrating for me--probably because otherwise I'm a fairly loose knitter. But I learned this through trial and error and error and error and error! That's what's great about socks and scarves--they are good items to practice on--before you decide to knit something with a 400 stitch cast on.

Kaidy