Craft Forum

Ok, the pattern says use thumb method cast-on. I think it might look a mess if I do that, because it is a funny looking novelty sort of yarn as it is. Clearly a cable cast on will be too tight, since it is a garment with a ribbed edge. I am trying to figure out a way of ensuring a clean looking edge, without losing too much stretch in the process here.

I do realise that Sirdar must have decided it is fine as it is! I was just wondering what my friends on here thought about my chances of changing it.

I am fancying casting on with two strands here at the minute, I might do that and the thumb method!

Regardless of what the pattern says I always use the cable method as it's the one I'm best at and therefore looks neatest.

Now that is tempting Sharon...I know what to do - I will do a cable cast on, and if it seems tight when I have finished, I can just leave the side seams open at the ends, now that was the idea I was trying to have all evening.

New option required in the poll, "None of the above."

Anyone who sees this thread after I make this post, do feel free to chip in with an opinion, it is still fun to chat about the possibilities.

What about...... invisible cast-on, with a length of spare yarn? (If you wanted to try this, I'd have to look up the instructions as I can never remember them but I'd be glad to).

Otherwise it's thumb method for me every time.

Victoria

Ok, I thought that "invisible cast on" was another word for "provisional cast on", now I am going to look that up!

Editing - because I just googled about it, and there are a lot of websites that agree with me, "invisible cast on" is what I know of as "provisional" and it is only for situations where you need to cast on with live stitches, so that you can knit from both sides of the cast on.

sharon_dcfc - 01 November 2010 09:59 PM

Regardless of what the pattern says I always use the cable method as it's the one I'm best at and therefore looks neatest.

I have to agree here, I ALWAYS cable cast on whatever the pattern says for the same reason. If I decide it's too tight after i've done a couple of rows I pull it out and cast on again on bigger needles then go back to the correct needles.

Hope you find something that'll work for you RC

Hi RC, I'm a rule-follower and if it says thumb cast-on then that's what it gets! And it's a good opportunity for you to practice something you think you're not so hot on and get better at. Have to say I'm intrigued about the pattern and the yarn now!

ermmmmmmmmmm is cable cast on 2 needles? if so i do that, as its the only one I can do otherwise, i'd never get anything done!

apart from when i've done provisional cast on that is.

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Well I did the first tension square with a thumb cast on, and it is not going to happen in this yarn for me.

Second tension square was oh, what was it...can't remember but it was too tight.

Third tension square is cool, on bigger needles (I should just grab bigger needles the first time, really). So I am going with the whole thing on bigger needles, and I am going to cable cast on, but leave a gap at the bottom of the side seams, so that it is tidy and still has give.

K and F - rules don't work for me, unless they are laws of science or principles for a civilised society ( those I do follow - at least for most of the month ).

The yarn is Sirdar Snowdrops, and the pattern is just a very plain baby-small child jumper (and a hat).

Thank you all for chipping in - amazing how busy the boards get when you mention something as simple as cast on. And no one even voted!

Editing - because I just googled about it, and there are a lot of websites that agree with me, "invisible cast on" is what I know of as "provisional" and it is only for situations where you need to cast on with live stitches, so that you can knit from both sides of the cast on.

The invisible cast-on I'm referring to is not this, its one that when you remove the provisional cast-on yarn you are left with what looks like a machine-made cast-on, where the stitches sort of run round to the back, so there is no clear bottom edge like you get with cable or thumb cast-on. "Invisible" might be an old-fashioned name for it, I learned it from an ancient Golden Hands from the 1970s, could well have a different name these days. Bit like music R 'n B - definitely not what it was in the '70s! The method is not for knitting from both sides of the cast-on, that's a different method to what I'm talking about. When I get a mo' I'll post a pic so you can see what I mean.

BTW, I've just used thumb method for an Elizabeth Zimmerman "prime rib" hat and it wasn't as elastic as the cable method, which surprised me, but it's probably something to do with the properties of prime rib.

All the best
Victoria

Victoria - yes I totally agree, the use of the same words for a different technique is a major hazard in knitting - especially with the internet enabling communication between knitters from different places and all. My thumb cast on efforts are extremely elastic, but not tidy, and in this unusual yarn it is just going to look a mess. That method you are talking about, creating a machine knit edge sounds very interesting though - you can't have too many technique options IMHIO.

Anyway, I have the sleeves cast on now, with a combo of larger needles and working into the back of the first row, they look fine.

Hi all, at last I found the instructions for the invisible cast on I was talking about. I'd forgotten that this method only works for single rib. I hope you can read the attachment.

All the best

Victoria

Yes cheers Victoria, I've saved that for future reference.