Stitches

What's your favorite cast-on method for knitting?

I only know how to do the single cast-on method, but it doesn't look very professional to me. In your opinion, what's the best looking cast on method for the bottoms of sweaters?

Public Comments

1. I like knitting the cast on stitches. I find them less tight, and more even.
2. I always use the long tail cast-on. It's stretchy, so it would be good for the bottom of a sweater. That might be the same as what you're calling a single cast-on.
3. I was taught the cat's cradle method of casting on, where you make a slipknot in the yarn and put the needles through that and then have two strands of yarn coming down between your thumb and forefinger. www.lionbrand.com and www.coatsandclark.com should have tutorials for this. I was also taught to hold both needles together while casting on, points facing the same way, and use them like one needle. That way, the stitches aren't so tight you can't knit into them. This does give a nice professional finish. The hardest part with a cat's cradle cast-on is knowing where to put the slipknot so you will have enough yarn and not far too much. It comes with practice, and I still occasionally have to take out what I've cast on, move the knot, and cast on again. It doesn't take too long, though.
4. Hi, I use the easiest way I know. I tie a loop over the knitting needle then start to knit this stitch , instead of slipping the created stitch onto the needle on the right I lift it up onto the needle on the left. I hope this makes sense and helps you :)
5. I have tried several different methods over the last couple of years since I taught myself to knit. The best I have found is the cable cast on. You make a slip knot, knit into it & put the loop back on the left needle. Then you put the needle between the previous two & knit the next stitch, turn the stitch, & put on to the left needle. Continue this through your full cast on. You can even do this when casting on in pattern for ribbing.