“What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from.”

T. S. Eliot, Little Gidding

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Knitspiration

🪄 Use these 5 tricks to improve your cast ons and bind offs

I used to be obsessed with cast on and bind off techniques.

Before there were books like Leslie Ann Bestor's Cast On, Bind Off or Cap Sease's Cast On, Bind Off, I started collecting different techniques from across the internet.

That collection grew past 50 methods, and I've come across even more since then...

...perhaps it's time for an update. 🤔

Anyway, while there are plenty of ways to create a solid cast on, even the most seasoned knitter has things that can be improved.

Today I'm sharing 5 of my favorite tips to level up your cast ons and bind offs so your knits look more professional.

Let's dive in!

1. Cast On Over Two Needles (Tutorial)

Why should you cast on over two needles?

Two reasons.

First, you don't run the risk of your cast on edge being too tight. The elongated stitches give your work plenty of room to breathe and find their perfect tension.

Second, you get a much more flexible, stretchy edge, which is a lot easier to work with.

PLUS, you can do this with almost any cast on method, not just the long tail.

2. No Slip Knot Cast On (Tutorial)

I am not the biggest fan of making a slip knot to begin a cast on.

For me they can be bulky, and they take longer than they need to.

Instead, you can start your cast on with a simple hitch and get a smooth first stitch.

The tutorial above shows you how.

NOTE: This works best with long tail style cast ons.

3. Match Your Bind Off with the Crochet Cast On (Tutorial)

It took me years to realize that you could match your cast on and bind off techniques.

To be honest there are not that many pairings, but there is one cast on that perfectly matches a traditional bind off.

The crochet cast on is much different than most methods, but the edge it creates is nice and solid.

I love the way it looks, and it is flexible but sturdy.

It does take a little longer to execute, but it's worth the effort.

4. The Infinite Long Tail (Tutorial)

This trick literally changed my life when I learned it more than 10 years ago.

If you're sick of trying to estimate how much yarn you need for a long tail cast on, this is a HUGE time saver.

And it's ridiculously simple.

Instead of guessing, use both ends of the ball to make your long tail.

You'll never run out of tail, and when you're done you just cut the outside strand. 🤯

5. Neatly Bind Off the Last Stitch (Tutorial)

It took me WAY too long to address this problem in my own knitting.

The last stitch of my bind off often had too much slack, and it left a little loop at the corner.

Luckily there are a few easy ways to fix it, and our friends at 10 Rows a Day outline five of them.

Conclusion

So there you have it!

A few quick things you can tweak to improve how your knits start and finish.

But what do you think?

Have you used any of these techniques before?

Do you have a cast on or bind off trick we should know about?

Hit reply and share your feedback. I can't respond to everyone, but we read every response!

Daily Stitch

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Cross Stitch

A four-row repeat that builds a woven-looking texture of crossed stitches.

It doesn't curl, which makes it a good fit for hats, mittens and blankets.

The side edges come out a little uneven, so add a border on each side.

Insider Bonus

Knit for Takeoff

I smiled all the way through this one. A boy and his cat deliver parcels in a little red plane over a knitted sea then all the way up to a knitted

Unravel This

Today's puzzle: Which cast on made this edge?

We'll share the answer in the next issue.

Yesterday's answer: A pine tree. Lots of needles, zero sewing.

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