What an interesting subject.. I appreciate the distinction you made between the “rightness” of a technique, and the result . I think that is clearly how we should approach “Am I doing this correctly?” I learned to knit and crochet long before there was an internet, snd the question never really came up.. I did things the way my mom, or s book, told me to do thrn, snd that was that. Later on..around 200/... I got into quilting, and was active on a couple of quilting forums.. The question of the correctness of one’s methods was brought up fairly often.. People had questions..and of course there was the dreaded Quilting Police.. a close relative of the Knitting/Crocheting Police.... I learned...as a quilter ..exactly what you have concluded.., There are plenty of perfectly fine ways of achieving the same goal.. There are legitimate choices.. However,...the various legitimate techniques MUST achieve the same goal. The half/Square Triangle must be the correct size, or the whole block will be out of whack... It is the same with sll crafts.. Use whatever method works for you to achieve the right look, fabric, size, etc... Thank you for reminding us that it’s OK to do things a little differently to reach the same goal... 💜💜😎
I really like your way of dealing with the 'right or wrong' question by providing the information that enables the questioner to answer for themself. As for long draw... Oh my, I love me some long draw! When it is going well for me, it feels like the singles have suddenly turned into this magical stretchy substance that just flows from my hand to the quill or orifice (one of my wheels is a Rio Grande, a treadled spindle wheel). Just str-e-e-e-tch and wind on. So satisfying. The reason that a 'true' woollen can only be done with hand carded rolags is because the rolag is an airy helical structure. When you long draw the rolag, it stretches out that helix (kinda like a tornado, of which we here in Iowa have had more than enough of this year). You can take a drum carded batt and roll it into a series of rolls but it is difficult to get the very airy structure that hand cards are capable of. Drum carded batts rolled into rolag-like objects tend to be denser than hand carded rolags. When hand carding, what works best for me is to lash onto one card only about half the length of each staple, leaving the remainder of the staple hanging off like a beard. Then I very, very gently stroke the locks making sure that the tines of the carders never intermesh--at the closest part of each stroke, there should be at least enough space between the tines of the two combs to allow a piece of copy paper to slide between them (if there weren't all that fibre in the way); more space can be beneficial but what you do not want to feel or hear is tines scraping against the opposing tines. When I doff the fibre off one card onto the other, that's when there is more fibre up on the card and less hanging off the end of the card. By the time I've doffed 2 or 3 times, there's about half an inch to an inch of fibre hanging over the edge of the card, just enough to let me use one card to flip that free hanging edge up to start the roll. Again, when using the cards to form the rolag, there should never be any intermeshing of the tines. Most common mistake: trying to load on too much fibre at a time. Intuitively, it seems like that would go faster and perhaps it does--but it also encourages the tendency to put too much pressure on the fibre which is the path to ripping the individual fibres apart, which then spring back into a tiny coil which forms the nucleus of a nepp. There's nothing inherently wrong with nepps, if that is what you want but if your goal is for a lofty and even yarn, nepps will only drive you bonkers.
Dear Rox, imagine my UTTER DELIGHT when I came across this video on my precious Saturday morning when I am not on call for the weekend and had the time to relax and watch - I have been watching your Casual Friday videos in turn, and had no idea that you focused on this subject of how to mount the new stitch in the knitted-on or cable cast on, which has long been of interest to me. Your comprehensive treatise of this subject joins the pantheon of technique fundamentals and has answered every question I could possibly have asked about it. AWESOME, I have been made truly smarter today for the watching, and how timely because I am just about to start a new project which calls for a cable cast-on and had been wondering about the advantage or disadvantage of choosing the tip-to-tip mount (like in purl position) or the twist-by-picking-up-from-under mount (like in knit position) which is also how I have always done it. I now totally get what the different effect is of choosing to do it one way or the other. Just brilliant! Thank you a thousand times! That said, I also want to say a thank you to you for recognizing the "quest" behind a knitter's question. I tend to be analytical and to pose my questions from a desire to really understand something and not to simply seek reassurance for something, and I cannot tell you how often I get responded to from the perspective of *headpat* "you'll be fine" when I really want to know why something is the way it is. Maybe it's how I frame my question - I know I can have an insistence about how I ask something that may invite a certain type of response, and that is not a style I can always modify - but truly, just having you say aloud that striving to respect what the asker is after, and avoid the dismissive response, is precious to have be affirmed. Thank you for being so immensely informative.
Hi Roxanne - THANK YOU for your podcast. I've been learning from and enjoying it for quite awhile now. So many good tips and interesting background stories. I'm learning to spin as well after years of having hung out at the spinning guild's demo area at the local county fair. I always get a smile when you discover something new that I had to discover as well, and appreciate that you want to know the whats and whys of things. I did a lot of this before I started spinning and I began on a spindle, so I had a head start with more head knowledge than practical experience. Knowing your interest, I highly recommend these books: "The Spinner's Book of Fleece" by Beth Smith, and "Yarn-i-tecture" by Jillian Moreno. I am creating my own reference book by ordering different breeds' fibers, spinning them with hints from the info in the books, and then knitting them up in both stockinette and cabled swatches so that I can see how they behave both before and after a wash. FASCINATING and very informative for the knitter with the end-result in mind. Thanks again! Oh - I forgot to say that I agree that "correctly" DOES matter (in knitting) if you have a result in mind, just like following a recipe and making substitutions makes a difference in the end result. Brown sugar does not taste like white. It makes an O.K. substitution and a lovely cake, but it's not THE SAME.
Really enjoy your video's and sharing your brave learning adventures! One of the best teachings I have seen about knitting/casting on is given in Sally Melville's Craftsy course, "Essential Techniques Every Knitter Should Know." I think you would appreciate her thorough explanations and opinions. Thank you for your work.
I think the question of “right and wrong” is not addressed in that there are people who are on the web, on TH-cam dissing others knitting styles instead of saying what you’ve said here. I knit several styles and some styles are better at eliminating the loose knit stitch when the next stitch is purl and some knitting teachers will tell you to tighten this up, to wrap the stitch the opposite direction, but fail to say, use the “Combined method” here. There are patterns which specify and Y/O which is opposite. But there is not a style based on that. It is like Combined knitters are just people to be scorned. But we mourn teachers like Cat Borhi or Annie Modesitt who came up with unusual reference terms, and now that they are gone, it is okay to use them. I’ve tried Eastern knitting and the fabric is pretty. But binding off in 2x2 rib, haven’t found a good way to do it. So not all things work for me or my understanding hasn’t grown enough. One lady has such an interesting style, she was from Peru or Chili, didn’t speak a word of English, but her knitting intrigued me. Likewise I’ve seen knitters who don’t have your certifications and experience teaching knitting and look at demonstrations of other knitting styles like I did one on Flicking as I was raised knitting this way. I am good at it, but it is grouped with throwing and I always thought the term “throwing” was a derogatory comment. I still use the Flicking method when I am knitting socks on 10” needles doing stockinette so I switch back and forth with Continental if my hands start to cramp. Both are efficient for me but II prefer to use double points or Flexi-flips on toes and ribbing because it is easier. I am always learning something new and do I agree with everything I try? No, but if it didn’t work out for me, it is open for discussion. I may have missed what they were doing or I didn’t practice it enough. I have strong feelings about this bit of telling others they were wrong because as I was knitting waiting to see the doctor, and a woman was staring at me and I looked up because I just felt I was being stared at. The woman was scowling at me. Came over and was so certain I was not knitting correctly. So I asked her, what knitting style she used, she didn’t know it had a name but was adamant I was not knitting right. She was not soft spoken either. So keeping my patience about me I began to knit all the styles I know: English Flicking, Continental, Combined, Portuguese, Irish Cottage Knitting. And then I knit backwards in the first two, I can’t do well in Portuguese enough to have figured out how to do it backwards. I never came up with what she did as I did not demonstrate standard English as I was not taught that and I like the way I learned knitting and we were the only knitters I knew so that is was faster, or slower, my mother, sister and I were the only knitters I knew before Ravelry and TH-cam. In the end she asked me if I were a knitting teacher, which I said I was not, but I have tried to teach my daughters-in-law who were not into either knitting or crochet. It isn’t for everyone. I had one restaurant which when I was waiting to be served, actually took my knitting away from me. I had not said anything to anyone. I had to stop him going into the kitchen with it. It wasn’t like I knitted when the food was served. Apparently he was offended that I was knitting. Knitted in cars, on buses and trains, on a jumbo jet, waiting for the movie to begin in a theater. I think I am one who would be called “an avid knitter”. I also have tinnitus and it keeps me sane instead of listening to the gong show going on in my head, I knit. I think what is in question is if we see someone doing a method different from our own, do we become a censor? And I think that is wrong. I think we should learn about what they do and if they want to see a demo of anything else, that is fine. We should be human beings first and knitters second. I myself have been treated rudely but have tried to not become what I don’t like.
Very interesting, and love your approach, as what got me off Ravelry was that it (at least the forum) is full of know-it-alls who tell you what you *have to* do / know / learn if you knit & how, and I just hate that...! For me knitting is about relaxing, and all that is just counterproductive to me.
I really like the School of No Knitting Police. ❤️👵🏻❤️ Saying that, I really should explain... I taught myself to knit at my Grandmother's knee, facing her. Yes, I DID find out later that 'correct' is from the left to the right needle. For years, I knit backwards. It didn't matter to me at all as even my cable yoke sweaters were beautiful. Then, silly me, made a red dish cloth with an apple in the center. It was a mirror image of the pattern pic. I never told the dear elder lady that I made it for, but taught myself to knit the way that is most accepted and even progressed to Continental with Norwegian Purl. Quite a journey of nearly 60 years. ❤️👵🏻❤️
Just found your videos while searching TH-cam for a different knitting question. Learned to knit over 60 years ago from my mother whose family was from Wales, and our neighbor who came from Serbia. Soooo, different strokes for different folks. Re casting on ( knit or cable method) my mother's preference was "your"way but she pointed out that this resulted in reverse mount. It is slight, but there. The difference is in how you choose to work the FIRST row...if knitting, thru back loop. Depending on yarn choice, usually no one but the knitter will notice. Cable cast on, for me, is more elastic and easier "point to point" . The method used by my Serbian neighbor was a THIRD way. I'm happy with my method and result, you're happy with yours, don't worry, be happy. I HAVE A QUESTION...Doing a good bit of double knitting soon. English (sort of) knitter, use one yarn in each hand two colors only. Any reason not to purl Russian since thats easier 4 me. Knit thru back loop. Gal who teaches at a chain fabric store told me I shouldnt, but I can't see why not. Your take?
Roxanne, I think that when the other person was removing her needle is it because she is going BETWEEN the last cast on stitch and the stitch before, whereas you are pulling a loop from between the front and last leg of the last cast on stitch.. love the channel! Love from MN❤️
It's been awhile since I recorded this video, but if I am remembering correctly, I was talking about two variations of producing a knitted cast on: one where you return the stitch to the left needle with tips pointed toward each other (which requires removing the needle in order to work the next CO st), and one where you return the st to the left hand needle (the method I use) by inserting it through the st on the RHN from right to left, which allows you to work the next CO st without removing the right hand ndl first. The cable cast on (related to knitting on, but different) calls for inserting the needle between sts, and the resulting stitch can also be returned in either way. For the cable CO, the right hand needle has to be pulled from the st regardless of how it's returned to the LHN, in order to insert it between sts for the next CO.
When I do the 'knitting on' I do it like you (without taking the needle out). More often I use that way you call 'cable cast on', it seems to me this gives a stronger ridge. I don't like long-tail cast on. I learned that one at school in my first knitting lessons, but never returned to it after learning to knit on (in the three different ways).
You're absolutely correct about the rights and wrongs. I've been practicing some different ways of knitting and purling, and my hands and my mind seem to be picking a favorite but, I notice that it changes with different situations. I'm so thankful for all the posters I have been learning from. It gives me more options, and I am understanding better, exactly what the yarn is doing. Thank you for being so reasonable.
Hi, it's funny that just a few weeks ago I learned that there was a difference between knitting on and cable on. I thought they were the same until I was watching a video where the person said knitting on is where you put the right needle into the loop of the outer loop, knit it and slip it on. For the cable, she said to slip the right needle between the outer and second loop, knit but twist that loop before placing on the left needle. I guess it comes down to how you want the edge to look like and/or how it affects the way the stitches are in the object being knit.
I do knitted and cable cast one the way you do it. It made no logical sense to me when you said about putting the needles tip-to-tip and taking the needle out and then it suddenly clicked "oh, do some people not twist the stitch before putting it onto the needle?". The thing is, I learned to cast on from a video (and I'm fairly sure that wasn't from you) so I guess either I didn't watch closely enough how they do it, or I learned from someone else who knits on as you do. I can remember when my friend and I were both using the knitted cast on, and she always got a cast on edge that didn't look quite like mine, and I couldn't ever figure it out. Now I'm guessing she does the tip-to-tip method and I will have to get her to demonstrate for me so I can check. Then again, I'm dyspraxic as all get out, and the first time I learned to knit, I was literally knitting backwards (from right to left - because yet for not being able to figure out which hand is which! 😂). Edit to add: Bearing in mind the date, I went to double-check the way most people are demonstrating it now. Out of the top dozen or so videos that came up when I searched for knitted cast on, all but one of them use the twist, like you and I do. Only one (which was originally from four or five years ago, uses the tip to tip method. However, the comments are FULL of people who found her video the only one they could grasp - so perhaps using the tip to tip method for transferring the stitch makes it easier for people struggling to get their head around coming in from underneath the stitch? This is such an interesting topic, and I love learning new things about techniques I thought I had pinned down.
Your attitude about right and wrong in technique being result driven makes the most sense. I've knit for years, was taught by my mother who knit English/American but she never put down her yarn or needle to knit, she flicked, as she really was the only person I'd seen knit growing up outside of my sister, and we all knit alike, never thought about it. Then I began to see how other English knitters knit and just thought it was a lot of wasted motion. But they'd look at my results, very nice looking knitting, to gauge and was told I was doing it wrong. I did not tell them theirs was wrong, so what if you like how you knit. I taught myself Continental from books then really started to use it when I found out there were knitting videos on TH-cam, like it very much but I still use my English Flicking when the project suits or just if I find the pattern dull, I knit in a different style. My tension is the same but I've had to work at that. I did find that my knitting as you said in the round vs. then going back and forth in a sweater didn't look right, then I'd knit that part English, as my knits and purls matched in tension. I think the way one purls in Continental is per the Individual what is comfortable or result driven. I found a Russian lady who taught Estonian and learned her purling, and now if I go from knitting in the round to knitting back and forth, that difference is not apparent any longer as it was before. Perhaps a bit at the beginning of or end of a row such as for the heel flap in socks. Once the socks are washed, never see the difference. But I've seen knitters savage one another and telling others "this is wrong", but when your mother taught you and you like it and she's dead now and it is a way to feel connected still, I try not to say how irritated it makes me. Being a decent and kind human being has to count for something. I really felt hurt for Annie Modesitt who really did some great stuff but got heck for it because she was a combined knitter. Group think and being a decent person, the latter comes first with me. Thank you for making such wonderful videos.
I think that how you knit is never set in stone, even those things we view as being not done the right way may look pretty in a twisted rib stitch. But to know how to make regular ribbing if you are getting a twisted rib which isn't as elastic, when you did not want that at all, is an opportunity to learn. People approach knitting sometimes with the notion that there are only two stitches and I'm done, don't have to learn anything new, this feet set in stone approach,will prevent them from enjoying the craft. True enjoyment comes from when you learned something you thought was too complicated and you mastered it anyway. I think each of us also has great potential to learn and that we do not and should not stop learning if we are not in school. Creating is fulfilling. It is better than taking a pill for anxiety. What I do find silly is that one Raveler while I was knitting a lace wedding shawl for my daughter-in-law's wedding, wanted me to stop all that and learn to loom knit. I was knitting Estonian lace. Ravelry got mad at me in that I felt like someone wanted me to put training wheels on my skills and but the other person was quite adamant that this was truly the superior method. No, but if you don't agree, there are loads of horrible names the culture who needs puppies and crayons demand. I loom knit in Brownies in second grade doing spoolwork. We have a culture which gives trophies to every child on a baseball team, even those who would not dress out. Knitters are preserving a culture by learning what others knit in the past and adapting that to their life today. That takes research and practice and insight, love, long hours, investment in tools and materials. No, all are not equal, some do know more. That is why Rox Rocks. Thank you for putting it so well. I like learning, to spend time avoiding it, that is the problem to me. The more I learn, the more I realize I still don't fully know, but I want to get there.
Huh, last month I was learning cable cast on watching videos with usual way of doing it. But it seems I invented your way because I pocked my finger and tried to first move needle, then pull yarn. And this way seemed to be the only reasonable not to hurt myself 😊
It is usually new knitters that ask these questions of "Right and Wrong" ways to knit, I really DON'T like that term for anyone, as it is in the long run a discouragement to them, and I would dislike the thought of them quitting knitting all together? I find it better to tell them the different ways, or suggest they look up the books or video's on the subject, and make their own SAMPLES of the different ways, then they can choose, and in most knitting practices there are many different ways to do something, (the same goes if you are traveling to Rome there are many roads to get there), the same thing applies to spinning, quilting ( had that in my quilt group I went to, gggrr) and many other crafts too, either look at bunches of video's (that seems to be the quicker way these days for anything you want to know how to do something). Different parts of the World have all sorts of different ways to knit, and some of these techniques get mixed up by family, friends, etc., doesn't mean they are wrong, IT IS WHAT IS COMFORTABLE FOR YOU THE KNITTER, as some left and right knitters form things differently, and can not get a grasp on one technique and another technique is really easy for them. My main mission in teaching is what works for you/them the best, and if you like the end product of what you made......! If not then seek another way of doing the same thing, via books, video's etc. I have been knitting 51 years and spinning for 50 years, and many other crafts in between all that, Back in the school days we were wrapped over the knuckles for doing things the wrong way etc., and it's not a good feeling to be treated that way, telling someone that they are knitting it all wrong is the equivalent to a wrap over the knuckles, and discouragement and people quit all together that craft. It's the same if a beginner knitter tries a really hard pattern and large first item, usually they give up as they don't know all the techniques and how long it will take them to complete it, because of the difficulty of it and length of time taken, they too give up, and I just don't like seeing that, all crafts are great to try....!
Your right way /wrong way discussion made me chuckle. My 12 year old decided to try knitting again. He tried around age 6/7 and struggled too much for him to continue. But he was able to crochet. Now that he has good and consistent tension control I suggested that knitting may be less frustrating than before. So I got him started with just the knit stitch. After a few rows he didn't want to wait for me to have time to sit beside him to teach him the purl stitch and asked that I just tell him. I explained it quite clearly, and he seemed pretty proud of himself. However, he was still doing a knit stitch, just accomplishing it in a very different way. I still don't understand how he managed it, but got him straightened out.
Thank you so much. I taught myself how to knit and I’ve never seen your technique. I am trying to become a more efficient knitter, and recently started using the continental technique. I was taught knit cast on (not your way) and I hated it because it took so long because you have to reinsert your needle, so I have been using the long tail cast on because it’s quicker. I have never used cable cast on and I’m excited to try your methods. Thank you for taking the time to explain. I look forward to exploring your other videos. I love learning.
I know the feeling, I had enrolled in a weaving class many years ago, it was my first time at a loom. Once the loom was set up with yarn the next step was to weave. I proceeded to weave what I thought the book said and the instructor looked at my results and asked me what page was I looking at while working. I showed her, then proceeded to demonstrate. Well to shorten the story, I was pulling one shuttle per feed of yarn, instead of two shuttles at a time. I did not know how to use a loom, but I ended up producing a fabric anyway. Consistency, that is what I was working, I was consistent in my method. After correction my fabric changed, I could then see what I was supposed to see. Understanding led to creation. I remember that class, it ended up beeing the only one, the next semester the advance class was canceled. I was looking forward to the next step. That example/lesson was over 50 years ago.
Gah! You are right! I can't believe I typed that in wrong. I double-checked so many things for this. I will make the correction in the video description. Thank you for pointing that out!
You're welcome! I've recommended her channel to so many new spinners it's tattooed on my brain! Yours is too...a lot of my knitter/spinner friends are now viewers.
For a new spinner you are doing brilliantly but why wouldn't you, such an inquiring mind which is what I love about you and your podcasts. Glad you are enjoying Becks casts, she is great. You might also enjoy Rachel Smith on Wool 'n' Spinning podcast, her teaching content is also wonderful. Rachel is working her way to becoming a master spinner.
Excellent podcast! First let me say that I love your cowl! Very pretty! Thanks for addressing the reinforcing yarn for socks issue. The last yarn I bought had those extra spools too as well as nylon in the yarn. My teacher, like you, advised me that to her it wasn’t necessary but of course I haven’t gotten that far on those yet. Still trying to finish another pair. Lol. With regard to the knitted and cable cast-ons I learned to do it your way on both. To me it feels “wrong” and certainly less efficient to do it the other way. Having said that I also came across the “other” way and wondered if I was doing it wrong. After watching many videos I decided that my way and your way works for me. Thanks so much for addressing that issue. Have a great week! See you Tuesday! Thanks again! Very informative!
I have always done these cast-ons as you do. I learned in England. The thing I'm wondering about and want to test is whether it might make a difference when working a one-row buttonhole. Always something new to learn! I'm catching up on your catalog of videos.
More good information. I don't use the cable cast-on (if I want a stretchy cast-on, I use the twisted German cast-on) but if the situation ever arises, knowing about your two examples will be helpful. Also, I really appreciate how you answered the right or wrong question at the end. I like the idea of explaining to someone how what they are doing affects the outcome of their work and giving alternate methods if what they are doing doesn't give them the result they want..or telling them that if they are happy with their outcome, then continue how they are doing it.
As a newby to knitting, this has been greatly appreciated. I know nothing when it comes to knitting, so any advice is solely, again, appreciated. Thank you.
I never realised the difference before. I cast on like you that's how I was shown at Brownies to many years ago to remember & apart from if the patterns says to use a different technique that is what I do. Very interesting. Love the spun yarn the cowl looks lovely. Thanks for a great video xxJane
I'm watching this Casual Friday #30 almost two years after you recorded it. Just want to ask if you have learned that the chain ply method is also known as Navajo ply. Also, I recently used that technique WHILE KNITTING to convert a fingering weight yarn to near worsted weight - bonus on that was that my grandkids were watching me and learning! Thank you for your video about the spreadsheets - this is something that I will definitely use!
Yes, I have heard chain plying referred to as Navajo plying. I had read (or maybe heard it from a spinning teacher?) that it was a bit of a misleading label for the method, so I tend to refer to it as chain plying.
I labor under the belief that the way you (and I) do the knitted on cast on is stretchier. A few years ago I tested both ways against the twisted German cast on, and i think the results validated my belief. Of course one should never go into an experiment with a bias, because that can skew the outcome. The twisted German was the outright winner. I continue to do the knitted on cast on your way, because it’s more efficient. I just knit a shawl which started with 282 knitted on cast on stitches. Efficiency was necessary. Speaking of beliefs, there is one which is held by some very experienced knitters, that long tail casting on a larger size needle will give you a stretchy cast on edge. I’ve watched quite a few instructors give this direction. Arghhh.
Yeah, a larger needle for LTCO just makes the loops larger. It *might* make the edge a little bit longer, but it does not improve the stretch. The stretch comes from how tightly/loosely you snug up the thumb loop. Almost any cast on can be made stretchier or more rigid by adjusting how the knitter tightens loops. A larger needle in the right hand can help with the cable CO, if you insert it between the first two sts prior to snugging up the yarn. Stretchy is not always stable, though, and some cast ons that stretch beautifully are flared when at rest. There are always advantages and disadvantages!
I like the "sling shot" method, but I never thought of it as Contential or English style. I knit English style. I have a question please. I knit a seed or garter stitch border around a blanket for instance. The blanket is done in knit stitch. I notice that the knit stitch at beginning and end of every other row on the "right" side (knit) is smaller. I'm not sure why that happens. I'm sure it's where I tightened my stitches when I change from purl to knit stitch, but I'm not sure where that's happening in the process. Make sense? Hope you can help. Thank you.
I can’t even, I’m pretty sure I’ve been doing the long tail cast on the whole time and have always been so frustrated that I never know how long a tail I’m going to need. I often have to recast on a couple of times particularly for larger stitch count cast on. The idea that I could just knit on as many stitches as I need is so wonderful.
You can do the LTCO by using two separate strands, rather than trying to estimate the tail length. If you're using non-superwash wool, you can spit splice the two tails of the ball of yarn together, then cut the thumb yarn (leaving a 4'' tail) when you're done casting on.
Thanks for the either/or CO. I figured out the twist and up thru loop one day, thought I was taking the lazy way. By automatic repositioning of the right needle it actually helped me not to cast on to tightly. Have you explored the russian way of knitting thru the back leg? As an inexperienced knitter I'm not sure if I would recognize a difference in the fabric.
If the sts in the fabric are not twisted, there's no way to tell how the knitter got their results ("Standard" Western knitting, or Eastern Uncrossed.) If the sts in the fabric are twisted, it is possible to determine what they were doing, based on the direction of the twist (and whether it's an Eastern crossed stitch or a Western crossed stitch).
How does which one compare? Knitting on, knitting on with a twist, cable cast on, cable cast on with twist? The stretchy German cast on is a variation of the long tail cast on. Just as with the LTCO, the amount of stretch you get is completely dependent on how much you tighten the thumb loop after you CO each stitch. Presuming you control the thumb loop in exactly the same way for both the LTCO and twisted German CO, the twisted German *should* be stretchier than the LTCO. But again, you can control the stretch of the LTCO. Whether your LTCO or Twisted German CO is stretchier than either version of the knit-on or cable CO will depend on what you do to control the stretchiness of each as you cast on. In *general* knit on cast ons tend to be stretchy, but not terribly stable. They work well when the project has to be aggressively blocked, and the edge has to stretch for blocking (and stay there). Not such a great option for the hem of a hat, mittens,sweater, etc. Cable CO tends to be less stretchy, but stable, and many people find it visually pleasing. LTCO is highly versatile. Twisted German might be slightly less versatile than LTCO (depending on what you want the edge sts to look like on each face of the fabric), but it can certainly be used in any situation in which you would want a LTCO. The best way to compare is to swatch different CO methods as a base for different stitch patterns/situations, and see what you like best.
Thanks for the detailed answer. I use the German cast on for hats. I have never used the Cable cast on and will try it and see if the hat brim is tighter. Enjoyed your video!
I taught myself how to knit about 20 years ago, before online access to instructions- and I was stubborn so I didn't use a book or instructor (I could figure it out! Ha!)- needles to say I was twisting stitches, no control of my tension, etc., so I quit after a few rows each time I picked up the needles. I never successfully made anything, and I was left feeling frustrated. It wasn't until about 4 months ago that I decided to actually learn how to knit, watching a lot of videos and sitting with other knitters (as well as picking up the books you have recommended), I quickly understood how I was knitting 'wrong' the why/what was happening. Once I understood what was going on (as you say) I became excited about knitting like I never have before. I tried to explain my aha moment as I finally started to learn the language of knitting so I am able to communicate with the piece as well as other knitters. Thank you so much for these videos. :)
I'm so glad you are understanding the why/how/what of knitting. It makes knitting so much more enjoyable when you can see all around you, rather than just one stitch at a time. Context is everything.
This was exactly my experience trying to learn from my great aunt in my teens. She was an incredible knitter, but I guess not so great at demonstrating and teaching. I ended up knitting backwards - literally from right to left instead, and my tension was awful, I dropped stitches and got inadvertent yarnovers everywhere - and this is even without trying to purl. I couldn't cast on, I couldn't cast off... and I gave up. I started again 2 and a half years ago or something like that, when a friend of mine began. And the first few attempts were just as frustrating. But then I found a video that showed me the anatomy of a stitch, how the process worked, why you put the needle where you do, and how the fabric is all created - and suddenly it just clicked. Which, considering I'm dyspraxic and autistic and my spatial awareness and motor control are NOT the greatest, is something I'm incredibly proud of. I still can't crochet - my tension is awful, I get confused about where I'm meant to create the stitches and what hole to use, and I am eternally frustrated by the lack of agreement between US and UK terminology when even the most basic stitches are different - and that in so many patterns, it's impossible for me to figure it out when - as so often happens - it doesn't say what terminology the pattern is using. But my knitting is okay enough that I now feel reasonably comfortable making things for people. I'm still far from perfect, but I'm so much better than I ever thought I could be, and I'm currently in the middle of making hats for four different people - all different patterns and styles, one of which I created myself - and a pair of slippers that are going to be a birthday present for someone else. I've made soft toys, gloves, mittens, mitts, scarves, blankets, shawls... now I just have to try a sweater, one day!
I wonder if doing the cast on with the way you do it adds more or less stretch than the other way. One method must twist the yarn and the other won’t. Has anyone tested this?
I don't find much of a difference. The way loops are pulled through are just from a different orientation (above vs below), which is why I described the result as being flipped. I would suggest you try it with worsted weight yarn and large needles so you can see up close how the loops are formed. Then try each version on needles normally used with worsted weight yarn, and see what you think.
I learned the long tail cast on using the thumb method, but years later I learned the method where your fingers are spread and looks like a "sling shot". Since you're so good at explaining the construction of different stitches can you please explain the difference in these two methods. Thank you.
The difference is the same as knitting Continental vs knitting English. In both cases, you use the left thumb to create a twisted loop with the yarn tail. You use the working yarn to knit it. So, if you hold the working yarn in your left hand (the sling shot method), you are knitting that twisted loop Continental. If you hold the working yarn in your right hand, you're knitting it English.
So it's the same stitch, but done differently. No wrong or right way? 😊. Thank you for your explanation. I enjoy your video very much!...they are very informative.
No right or wrong way. Most knitting references show both methods. The "thumb method" version is easier to cast on in knit/purl pattern (you just bring the working yarn to the front and purl the loop, instead of knitting it. It's a bit trickier to do that with the Continental/sling shot method. You either have to use an Eastern purl or Norwegian purl. I learned to knit in Ireland, using the English method of knitting, so the thumb method made the most sense. I eventually learned the Continental method, but didn't understand it created the same result until I started the master hand knitting program and everyone was talking about the long tail cast on, and I didn't know what it was. This cast on has many names!
While I will use purlwise/knitwise in written materials, I tend to emphasize tip-to-tip when demonstrating in person or on video, probably because of the number of students I've had who will slip incorrectly when given oral instructions.
![How to cast on knitting - 10 methods from easy to advanced [+tips, tricks & many variations]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ez-WnenTGxw/mqdefault.jpg)
What an interesting subject..
I appreciate the distinction you made between the “rightness” of a technique, and the result . I think that is clearly how we should approach “Am I doing this correctly?”
I learned to knit and crochet long before there was an internet, snd the question never really came up.. I did things the way my mom, or s book, told me to do thrn, snd that was that.
Later on..around 200/... I got into quilting, and was active on a couple of quilting forums.. The question of the correctness of one’s methods was brought up fairly often.. People had questions..and of course there was the dreaded Quilting Police.. a close relative of the Knitting/Crocheting Police....
I learned...as a quilter ..exactly what you have concluded.., There are plenty of perfectly fine ways of achieving the same goal.. There are legitimate choices..
However,...the various legitimate techniques MUST achieve the same goal. The half/Square Triangle must be the correct size, or the whole block will be out of whack...
It is the same with sll crafts.. Use whatever method works for you to achieve the right look, fabric, size, etc...
Thank you for reminding us that it’s OK to do things a little differently to reach the same goal... 💜💜😎
I really like your way of dealing with the 'right or wrong' question by providing the information that enables the questioner to answer for themself.
As for long draw... Oh my, I love me some long draw! When it is going well for me, it feels like the singles have suddenly turned into this magical stretchy substance that just flows from my hand to the quill or orifice (one of my wheels is a Rio Grande, a treadled spindle wheel). Just str-e-e-e-tch and wind on. So satisfying.
The reason that a 'true' woollen can only be done with hand carded rolags is because the rolag is an airy helical structure. When you long draw the rolag, it stretches out that helix (kinda like a tornado, of which we here in Iowa have had more than enough of this year). You can take a drum carded batt and roll it into a series of rolls but it is difficult to get the very airy structure that hand cards are capable of. Drum carded batts rolled into rolag-like objects tend to be denser than hand carded rolags.
When hand carding, what works best for me is to lash onto one card only about half the length of each staple, leaving the remainder of the staple hanging off like a beard. Then I very, very gently stroke the locks making sure that the tines of the carders never intermesh--at the closest part of each stroke, there should be at least enough space between the tines of the two combs to allow a piece of copy paper to slide between them (if there weren't all that fibre in the way); more space can be beneficial but what you do not want to feel or hear is tines scraping against the opposing tines.
When I doff the fibre off one card onto the other, that's when there is more fibre up on the card and less hanging off the end of the card. By the time I've doffed 2 or 3 times, there's about half an inch to an inch of fibre hanging over the edge of the card, just enough to let me use one card to flip that free hanging edge up to start the roll. Again, when using the cards to form the rolag, there should never be any intermeshing of the tines.
Most common mistake: trying to load on too much fibre at a time. Intuitively, it seems like that would go faster and perhaps it does--but it also encourages the tendency to put too much pressure on the fibre which is the path to ripping the individual fibres apart, which then spring back into a tiny coil which forms the nucleus of a nepp. There's nothing inherently wrong with nepps, if that is what you want but if your goal is for a lofty and even yarn, nepps will only drive you bonkers.
Dear Rox, imagine my UTTER DELIGHT when I came across this video on my precious Saturday morning when I am not on call for the weekend and had the time to relax and watch - I have been watching your Casual Friday videos in turn, and had no idea that you focused on this subject of how to mount the new stitch in the knitted-on or cable cast on, which has long been of interest to me. Your comprehensive treatise of this subject joins the pantheon of technique fundamentals and has answered every question I could possibly have asked about it. AWESOME, I have been made truly smarter today for the watching, and how timely because I am just about to start a new project which calls for a cable cast-on and had been wondering about the advantage or disadvantage of choosing the tip-to-tip mount (like in purl position) or the twist-by-picking-up-from-under mount (like in knit position) which is also how I have always done it. I now totally get what the different effect is of choosing to do it one way or the other. Just brilliant! Thank you a thousand times!
That said, I also want to say a thank you to you for recognizing the "quest" behind a knitter's question. I tend to be analytical and to pose my questions from a desire to really understand something and not to simply seek reassurance for something, and I cannot tell you how often I get responded to from the perspective of *headpat* "you'll be fine" when I really want to know why something is the way it is. Maybe it's how I frame my question - I know I can have an insistence about how I ask something that may invite a certain type of response, and that is not a style I can always modify - but truly, just having you say aloud that striving to respect what the asker is after, and avoid the dismissive response, is precious to have be affirmed. Thank you for being so immensely informative.
Hi Roxanne - THANK YOU for your podcast. I've been learning from and enjoying it for quite awhile now. So many good tips and interesting background stories. I'm learning to spin as well after years of having hung out at the spinning guild's demo area at the local county fair. I always get a smile when you discover something new that I had to discover as well, and appreciate that you want to know the whats and whys of things. I did a lot of this before I started spinning and I began on a spindle, so I had a head start with more head knowledge than practical experience. Knowing your interest, I highly recommend these books: "The Spinner's Book of Fleece" by Beth Smith, and "Yarn-i-tecture" by Jillian Moreno. I am creating my own reference book by ordering different breeds' fibers, spinning them with hints from the info in the books, and then knitting them up in both stockinette and cabled swatches so that I can see how they behave both before and after a wash. FASCINATING and very informative for the knitter with the end-result in mind. Thanks again! Oh - I forgot to say that I agree that "correctly" DOES matter (in knitting) if you have a result in mind, just like following a recipe and making substitutions makes a difference in the end result. Brown sugar does not taste like white. It makes an O.K. substitution and a lovely cake, but it's not THE SAME.
Really enjoy your video's and sharing your brave learning adventures! One of the best teachings I have seen about knitting/casting on is given in Sally Melville's Craftsy course, "Essential Techniques Every Knitter Should Know." I think you would appreciate her thorough explanations and opinions. Thank you for your work.
Wow! Your handspun and handknit cowl turned out so lovely, congratulations!
I think the question of “right and wrong” is not addressed in that there are people who are on the web, on TH-cam dissing others knitting styles instead of saying what you’ve said here.
I knit several styles and some styles are better at eliminating the loose knit stitch when the next stitch is purl and some knitting teachers will tell you to tighten this up, to wrap the stitch the opposite direction, but fail to say, use the “Combined method” here. There are patterns which specify and Y/O which is opposite. But there is not a style based on that. It is like Combined knitters are just people to be scorned. But we mourn teachers like Cat Borhi or Annie Modesitt who came up with unusual reference terms, and now that they are gone, it is okay to use them.
I’ve tried Eastern knitting and the fabric is pretty. But binding off in 2x2 rib, haven’t found a good way to do it. So not all things work for me or my understanding hasn’t grown enough. One lady has such an interesting style, she was from Peru or Chili, didn’t speak a word of English, but her knitting intrigued me.
Likewise I’ve seen knitters who don’t have your certifications and experience teaching knitting and look at demonstrations of other knitting styles like I did one on Flicking as I was raised knitting this way. I am good at it, but it is grouped with throwing and I always thought the term “throwing” was a derogatory comment. I still use the Flicking method when I am knitting socks on 10” needles doing stockinette so I switch back and forth with Continental if my hands start to cramp. Both are efficient for me but II prefer to use double points or Flexi-flips on toes and ribbing because it is easier.
I am always learning something new and do I agree with everything I try? No, but if it didn’t work out for me, it is open for discussion. I may have missed what they were doing or I didn’t practice it enough.
I have strong feelings about this bit of telling others they were wrong because as I was knitting waiting to see the doctor, and a woman was staring at me and I looked up because I just felt I was being stared at. The woman was scowling at me. Came over and was so certain I was not knitting correctly. So I asked her, what knitting style she used, she didn’t know it had a name but was adamant I was not knitting right. She was not soft spoken either. So keeping my patience about me I began to knit all the styles I know: English Flicking, Continental, Combined, Portuguese, Irish Cottage Knitting. And then I knit backwards in the first two, I can’t do well in Portuguese enough to have figured out how to do it backwards. I never came up with what she did as I did not demonstrate standard English as I was not taught that and I like the way I learned knitting and we were the only knitters I knew so that is was faster, or slower, my mother, sister and I were the only knitters I knew before Ravelry and TH-cam. In the end she asked me if I were a knitting teacher, which I said I was not, but I have tried to teach my daughters-in-law who were not into either knitting or crochet. It isn’t for everyone.
I had one restaurant which when I was waiting to be served, actually took my knitting away from me. I had not said anything to anyone. I had to stop him going into the kitchen with it. It wasn’t like I knitted when the food was served. Apparently he was offended that I was knitting. Knitted in cars, on buses and trains, on a jumbo jet, waiting for the movie to begin in a theater. I think I am one who would be called “an avid knitter”. I also have tinnitus and it keeps me sane instead of listening to the gong show going on in my head, I knit.
I think what is in question is if we see someone doing a method different from our own, do we become a censor? And I think that is wrong. I think we should learn about what they do and if they want to see a demo of anything else, that is fine. We should be human beings first and knitters second.
I myself have been treated rudely but have tried to not become what I don’t like.
Very interesting, and love your approach, as what got me off Ravelry was that it (at least the forum) is full of know-it-alls who tell you what you *have to* do / know / learn if you knit & how, and I just hate that...! For me knitting is about relaxing, and all that is just counterproductive to me.
I really like the School of No Knitting Police. ❤️👵🏻❤️ Saying that, I really should explain... I taught myself to knit at my Grandmother's knee, facing her.
Yes, I DID find out later that 'correct' is from the left to the right needle. For years, I knit backwards. It didn't matter to me at all as even my cable yoke sweaters were beautiful. Then, silly me, made a red dish cloth with an apple in the center. It was a mirror image of the pattern pic. I never told the dear elder lady that I made it for, but taught myself to knit the way that is most accepted and even progressed to Continental with Norwegian Purl. Quite a journey of nearly 60 years. ❤️👵🏻❤️
thank you so much, as always is really nourishing and helpfull.
I meant to ask...do you have a video or could you pkease do a video on said problem? I do better with a visual. Thanks again.
Just found your videos while searching TH-cam for a different knitting question. Learned to knit over 60 years ago from my mother whose family was from Wales, and our neighbor who came from Serbia. Soooo, different strokes for different folks. Re casting on ( knit or cable method) my mother's preference was "your"way but she pointed out that this resulted in reverse mount. It is slight, but there. The difference is in how you choose to work the FIRST row...if knitting, thru back loop. Depending on yarn choice, usually no one but the knitter will notice. Cable cast on, for me, is more elastic and easier "point to point" . The method used by my Serbian neighbor was a THIRD way. I'm happy with my method and result, you're happy with yours, don't worry, be happy. I HAVE A QUESTION...Doing a good bit of double knitting soon. English (sort of) knitter, use one yarn in each hand two colors only. Any reason not to purl Russian since thats easier 4 me. Knit thru back loop. Gal who teaches at a chain fabric store told me I shouldnt, but I can't see why not. Your take?
Roxanne, I think that when the other person was removing her needle is it because she is going BETWEEN the last cast on stitch and the stitch before, whereas you are pulling a loop from between the front and last leg of the last cast on stitch.. love the channel! Love from MN❤️
It's been awhile since I recorded this video, but if I am remembering correctly, I was talking about two variations of producing a knitted cast on: one where you return the stitch to the left needle with tips pointed toward each other (which requires removing the needle in order to work the next CO st), and one where you return the st to the left hand needle (the method I use) by inserting it through the st on the RHN from right to left, which allows you to work the next CO st without removing the right hand ndl first. The cable cast on (related to knitting on, but different) calls for inserting the needle between sts, and the resulting stitch can also be returned in either way. For the cable CO, the right hand needle has to be pulled from the st regardless of how it's returned to the LHN, in order to insert it between sts for the next CO.
When I do the 'knitting on' I do it like you (without taking the needle out). More often I use that way you call 'cable cast on', it seems to me this gives a stronger ridge. I don't like long-tail cast on. I learned that one at school in my first knitting lessons, but never returned to it after learning to knit on (in the three different ways).
I do the cable cast on the same way you do! That’s how I’ve seen it on other videos. That green cowl is absolutely beautiful!!
You're absolutely correct about the rights and wrongs. I've been practicing some different ways of knitting and purling, and my hands and my mind seem to be picking a favorite but, I notice that it changes with different situations. I'm so thankful for all the posters I have been learning from. It gives me more options, and I am understanding better, exactly what the yarn is doing. Thank you for being so reasonable.
Hi, it's funny that just a few weeks ago I learned that there was a difference between knitting on and cable on. I thought they were the same until I was watching a video where the person said knitting on is where you put the right needle into the loop of the outer loop, knit it and slip it on. For the cable, she said to slip the right needle between the outer and second loop, knit but twist that loop before placing on the left needle. I guess it comes down to how you want the edge to look like and/or how it affects the way the stitches are in the object being knit.
Thoughtful insight
Thank you for taking the time to review and saying yes there is a right and wrong and why it is important
Correction at 8:34 = Tiny Fibre Studio
That was noted in the video description.
I do knitted and cable cast one the way you do it. It made no logical sense to me when you said about putting the needles tip-to-tip and taking the needle out and then it suddenly clicked "oh, do some people not twist the stitch before putting it onto the needle?". The thing is, I learned to cast on from a video (and I'm fairly sure that wasn't from you) so I guess either I didn't watch closely enough how they do it, or I learned from someone else who knits on as you do. I can remember when my friend and I were both using the knitted cast on, and she always got a cast on edge that didn't look quite like mine, and I couldn't ever figure it out. Now I'm guessing she does the tip-to-tip method and I will have to get her to demonstrate for me so I can check. Then again, I'm dyspraxic as all get out, and the first time I learned to knit, I was literally knitting backwards (from right to left - because yet for not being able to figure out which hand is which! 😂).
Edit to add: Bearing in mind the date, I went to double-check the way most people are demonstrating it now. Out of the top dozen or so videos that came up when I searched for knitted cast on, all but one of them use the twist, like you and I do. Only one (which was originally from four or five years ago, uses the tip to tip method. However, the comments are FULL of people who found her video the only one they could grasp - so perhaps using the tip to tip method for transferring the stitch makes it easier for people struggling to get their head around coming in from underneath the stitch? This is such an interesting topic, and I love learning new things about techniques I thought I had pinned down.
Your attitude about right and wrong in technique being result driven makes the most sense. I've knit for years, was taught by my mother who knit English/American but she never put down her yarn or needle to knit, she flicked, as she really was the only person I'd seen knit growing up outside of my sister, and we all knit alike, never thought about it.
Then I began to see how other English knitters knit and just thought it was a lot of wasted motion. But they'd look at my results, very nice looking knitting, to gauge and was told I was doing it wrong. I did not tell them theirs was wrong, so what if you like how you knit.
I taught myself Continental from books then really started to use it when I found out there were knitting videos on TH-cam, like it very much but I still use my English Flicking when the project suits or just if I find the pattern dull, I knit in a different style. My tension is the same but I've had to work at that.
I did find that my knitting as you said in the round vs. then going back and forth in a sweater didn't look right, then I'd knit that part English, as my knits and purls matched in tension. I think the way one purls in Continental is per the Individual what is comfortable or result driven. I found a Russian lady who taught Estonian and learned her purling, and now if I go from knitting in the round to knitting back and forth, that difference is not apparent any longer as it was before. Perhaps a bit at the beginning of or end of a row such as for the heel flap in socks. Once the socks are washed, never see the difference.
But I've seen knitters savage one another and telling others "this is wrong", but when your mother taught you and you like it and she's dead now and it is a way to feel connected still, I try not to say how irritated it makes me. Being a decent and kind human being has to count for something.
I really felt hurt for Annie Modesitt who really did some great stuff but got heck for it because she was a combined knitter. Group think and being a decent person, the latter comes first with me.
Thank you for making such wonderful videos.
I think that how you knit is never set in stone, even those things we view as being not done the right way may look pretty in a twisted rib stitch. But to know how to make regular ribbing if you are getting a twisted rib which isn't as elastic, when you did not want that at all, is an opportunity to learn.
People approach knitting sometimes with the notion that there are only two stitches and I'm done, don't have to learn anything new, this feet set in stone approach,will prevent them from enjoying the craft. True enjoyment comes from when you learned something you thought was too complicated and you mastered it anyway. I think each of us also has great potential to learn and that we do not and should not stop learning if we are not in school. Creating is fulfilling. It is better than taking a pill for anxiety.
What I do find silly is that one Raveler while I was knitting a lace wedding shawl for my daughter-in-law's wedding, wanted me to stop all that and learn to loom knit. I was knitting Estonian lace. Ravelry got mad at me in that I felt like someone wanted me to put training wheels on my skills and but the other person was quite adamant that this was truly the superior method. No, but if you don't agree, there are loads of horrible names the culture who needs puppies and crayons demand. I loom knit in Brownies in second grade doing spoolwork.
We have a culture which gives trophies to every child on a baseball team, even those who would not dress out.
Knitters are preserving a culture by learning what others knit in the past and adapting that to their life today. That takes research and practice and insight, love, long hours, investment in tools and materials. No, all are not equal, some do know more. That is why Rox Rocks.
Thank you for putting it so well. I like learning, to spend time avoiding it, that is the problem to me. The more I learn, the more I realize I still don't fully know, but I want to get there.
Huh, last month I was learning cable cast on watching videos with usual way of doing it. But it seems I invented your way because I pocked my finger and tried to first move needle, then pull yarn. And this way seemed to be the only reasonable not to hurt myself 😊
It is usually new knitters that ask these questions of "Right and Wrong" ways to knit, I really DON'T like that term for anyone, as it is in the long run a discouragement to them, and I would dislike the thought of them quitting knitting all together?
I find it better to tell them the different ways, or suggest they look up the books or video's on the subject, and make their own SAMPLES of the different ways, then they can choose, and in most knitting practices there are many different ways to do something, (the same goes if you are traveling to Rome there are many roads to get there), the same thing applies to spinning, quilting ( had that in my quilt group I went to, gggrr) and many other crafts too, either look at bunches of video's (that seems to be the quicker way these days for anything you want to know how to do something).
Different parts of the World have all sorts of different ways to knit, and some of these techniques get mixed up by family, friends, etc., doesn't mean they are wrong, IT IS WHAT IS COMFORTABLE FOR YOU THE KNITTER, as some left and right knitters form things differently, and can not get a grasp on one technique and another technique is really easy for them.
My main mission in teaching is what works for you/them the best, and if you like the end product of what you made......!
If not then seek another way of doing the same thing, via books, video's etc.
I have been knitting 51 years and spinning for 50 years, and many other crafts in between all that,
Back in the school days we were wrapped over the knuckles for doing things the wrong way etc., and it's not a good feeling to be treated that way, telling someone that they are knitting it all wrong is the equivalent to a wrap over the knuckles, and discouragement and people quit all together that craft.
It's the same if a beginner knitter tries a really hard pattern and large first item, usually they give up as they don't know all the techniques and how long it will take them to complete it, because of the difficulty of it and length of time taken, they too give up, and I just don't like seeing that, all crafts are great to try....!
Your right way /wrong way discussion made me chuckle. My 12 year old decided to try knitting again. He tried around age 6/7 and struggled too much for him to continue. But he was able to crochet. Now that he has good and consistent tension control I suggested that knitting may be less frustrating than before. So I got him started with just the knit stitch. After a few rows he didn't want to wait for me to have time to sit beside him to teach him the purl stitch and asked that I just tell him. I explained it quite clearly, and he seemed pretty proud of himself. However, he was still doing a knit stitch, just accomplishing it in a very different way. I still don't understand how he managed it, but got him straightened out.
Thank you so much. I taught myself how to knit and I’ve never seen your technique. I am trying to become a more efficient knitter, and recently started using the continental technique. I was taught knit cast on (not your way) and I hated it because it took so long because you have to reinsert your needle, so I have been using the long tail cast on because it’s quicker. I have never used cable cast on and I’m excited to try your methods. Thank you for taking the time to explain. I look forward to exploring your other videos. I love learning.
I know the feeling, I had enrolled in a weaving class many years ago, it was my first time at a loom. Once the loom was set up with yarn the next step was to weave. I proceeded to weave what I thought the book said and the instructor looked at my results and asked me what page was I looking at while working. I showed her, then proceeded to demonstrate. Well to shorten the story, I was pulling one shuttle per feed of yarn, instead of two shuttles at a time. I did not know how to use a loom, but I ended up producing a fabric anyway. Consistency, that is what I was working, I was consistent in my method. After correction my fabric changed, I could then see what I was supposed to see. Understanding led to creation. I remember that class, it ended up beeing the only one, the next semester the advance class was canceled. I was looking forward to the next step. That example/lesson was over 50 years ago.
Correction: Beck's TH-cam channel is Tiny Fibre Studio NOT Little Fiber Studio. Glad you found and are enjoying it.
Gah! You are right! I can't believe I typed that in wrong. I double-checked so many things for this. I will make the correction in the video description. Thank you for pointing that out!
You're welcome! I've recommended her channel to so many new spinners it's tattooed on my brain! Yours is too...a lot of my knitter/spinner friends are now viewers.
For a new spinner you are doing brilliantly but why wouldn't you, such an inquiring mind which is what I love about you and your podcasts.
Glad you are enjoying Becks casts, she is great. You might also enjoy Rachel Smith on Wool 'n' Spinning podcast, her teaching content is also wonderful. Rachel is working her way to becoming a master spinner.
Excellent podcast! First let me say that I love your cowl! Very pretty! Thanks for addressing the reinforcing yarn for socks issue. The last yarn I bought had those extra spools too as well as nylon in the yarn. My teacher, like you, advised me that to her it wasn’t necessary but of course I haven’t gotten that far on those yet. Still trying to finish another pair. Lol. With regard to the knitted and cable cast-ons I learned to do it your way on both. To me it feels “wrong” and certainly less efficient to do it the other way. Having said that I also came across the “other” way and wondered if I was doing it wrong. After watching many videos I decided that my way and your way works for me. Thanks so much for addressing that issue. Have a great week! See you Tuesday! Thanks again! Very informative!
I have always done these cast-ons as you do. I learned in England. The thing I'm wondering about and want to test is whether it might make a difference when working a one-row buttonhole. Always something new to learn! I'm catching up on your catalog of videos.
More good information.
I don't use the cable cast-on (if I want a stretchy cast-on, I use the twisted German cast-on) but if the situation ever arises, knowing about your two examples will be helpful.
Also, I really appreciate how you answered the right or wrong question at the end. I like the idea of explaining to someone how what they are doing affects the outcome of their work and giving alternate methods if what they are doing doesn't give them the result they want..or telling them that if they are happy with their outcome, then continue how they are doing it.
As a newby to knitting, this has been greatly appreciated. I know nothing when it comes to knitting, so any advice is solely, again, appreciated. Thank you.
I never realised the difference before. I cast on like you that's how I was shown at Brownies to many years ago to remember & apart from if the patterns says to use a different technique that is what I do. Very interesting. Love the spun yarn the cowl looks lovely. Thanks for a great video xxJane
Plying from multiple bobbins and one runs out? Turn one of the others into a center pull ball and ply from both inside and outside 😁
I'm watching this Casual Friday #30 almost two years after you recorded it. Just want to ask if you have learned that the chain ply method is also known as Navajo ply. Also, I recently used that technique WHILE KNITTING to convert a fingering weight yarn to near worsted weight - bonus on that was that my grandkids were watching me and learning!
Thank you for your video about the spreadsheets - this is something that I will definitely use!
Yes, I have heard chain plying referred to as Navajo plying. I had read (or maybe heard it from a spinning teacher?) that it was a bit of a misleading label for the method, so I tend to refer to it as chain plying.
I learned your method of knitting on when I learned.
I labor under the belief that the way you (and I) do the knitted on cast on is stretchier. A few years ago I tested both ways against the twisted German cast on, and i think the results validated my belief. Of course one should never go into an experiment with a bias, because that can skew the outcome. The twisted German was the outright winner. I continue to do the knitted on cast on your way, because it’s more efficient. I just knit a shawl which started with 282 knitted on cast on stitches. Efficiency was necessary. Speaking of beliefs, there is one which is held by some very experienced knitters, that long tail casting on a larger size needle will give you a stretchy cast on edge. I’ve watched quite a few instructors give this direction. Arghhh.
Yeah, a larger needle for LTCO just makes the loops larger. It *might* make the edge a little bit longer, but it does not improve the stretch. The stretch comes from how tightly/loosely you snug up the thumb loop. Almost any cast on can be made stretchier or more rigid by adjusting how the knitter tightens loops. A larger needle in the right hand can help with the cable CO, if you insert it between the first two sts prior to snugging up the yarn. Stretchy is not always stable, though, and some cast ons that stretch beautifully are flared when at rest. There are always advantages and disadvantages!
I like the "sling shot" method, but I never thought of it as Contential or English style. I knit English style.
I have a question please. I knit a seed or garter stitch border around a blanket for instance. The blanket is done in knit stitch. I notice that the knit stitch at beginning and end of every other row on the "right" side (knit) is smaller. I'm not sure why that happens. I'm sure it's where I tightened my stitches when I change from purl to knit stitch, but I'm not sure where that's happening in the process. Make sense? Hope you can help. Thank you.
Catch Rox here, where she has time to discuss it.
www.ravelry.com/discuss/rox-rocks/3825929/1-25
I can’t even, I’m pretty sure I’ve been doing the long tail cast on the whole time and have always been so frustrated that I never know how long a tail I’m going to need. I often have to recast on a couple of times particularly for larger stitch count cast on. The idea that I could just knit on as many stitches as I need is so wonderful.
You can do the LTCO by using two separate strands, rather than trying to estimate the tail length. If you're using non-superwash wool, you can spit splice the two tails of the ball of yarn together, then cut the thumb yarn (leaving a 4'' tail) when you're done casting on.
Thanks for the either/or CO. I figured out the twist and up thru loop one day, thought I was taking the lazy way. By automatic repositioning of the right needle it actually helped me not to cast on to tightly. Have you explored the russian way of knitting thru the back leg? As an inexperienced knitter I'm not sure if I would recognize a difference in the fabric.
If the sts in the fabric are not twisted, there's no way to tell how the knitter got their results ("Standard" Western knitting, or Eastern Uncrossed.) If the sts in the fabric are twisted, it is possible to determine what they were doing, based on the direction of the twist (and whether it's an Eastern crossed stitch or a Western crossed stitch).
Exactly on the cable cast on/knitted cast on.
How does this cast on compare with Stretchy German cast on?
How does which one compare? Knitting on, knitting on with a twist, cable cast on, cable cast on with twist? The stretchy German cast on is a variation of the long tail cast on. Just as with the LTCO, the amount of stretch you get is completely dependent on how much you tighten the thumb loop after you CO each stitch. Presuming you control the thumb loop in exactly the same way for both the LTCO and twisted German CO, the twisted German *should* be stretchier than the LTCO. But again, you can control the stretch of the LTCO. Whether your LTCO or Twisted German CO is stretchier than either version of the knit-on or cable CO will depend on what you do to control the stretchiness of each as you cast on. In *general* knit on cast ons tend to be stretchy, but not terribly stable. They work well when the project has to be aggressively blocked, and the edge has to stretch for blocking (and stay there). Not such a great option for the hem of a hat, mittens,sweater, etc. Cable CO tends to be less stretchy, but stable, and many people find it visually pleasing. LTCO is highly versatile. Twisted German might be slightly less versatile than LTCO (depending on what you want the edge sts to look like on each face of the fabric), but it can certainly be used in any situation in which you would want a LTCO. The best way to compare is to swatch different CO methods as a base for different stitch patterns/situations, and see what you like best.
Thanks for the detailed answer. I use the German cast on for hats. I have never used the Cable cast on and will try it and see if the hat brim is tighter. Enjoyed your video!
I taught myself how to knit about 20 years ago, before online access to instructions- and I was stubborn so I didn't use a book or instructor (I could figure it out! Ha!)- needles to say I was twisting stitches, no control of my tension, etc., so I quit after a few rows each time I picked up the needles. I never successfully made anything, and I was left feeling frustrated. It wasn't until about 4 months ago that I decided to actually learn how to knit, watching a lot of videos and sitting with other knitters (as well as picking up the books you have recommended), I quickly understood how I was knitting 'wrong' the why/what was happening. Once I understood what was going on (as you say) I became excited about knitting like I never have before. I tried to explain my aha moment as I finally started to learn the language of knitting so I am able to communicate with the piece as well as other knitters. Thank you so much for these videos. :)
I'm so glad you are understanding the why/how/what of knitting. It makes knitting so much more enjoyable when you can see all around you, rather than just one stitch at a time. Context is everything.
This was exactly my experience trying to learn from my great aunt in my teens. She was an incredible knitter, but I guess not so great at demonstrating and teaching. I ended up knitting backwards - literally from right to left instead, and my tension was awful, I dropped stitches and got inadvertent yarnovers everywhere - and this is even without trying to purl. I couldn't cast on, I couldn't cast off... and I gave up. I started again 2 and a half years ago or something like that, when a friend of mine began. And the first few attempts were just as frustrating. But then I found a video that showed me the anatomy of a stitch, how the process worked, why you put the needle where you do, and how the fabric is all created - and suddenly it just clicked. Which, considering I'm dyspraxic and autistic and my spatial awareness and motor control are NOT the greatest, is something I'm incredibly proud of.
I still can't crochet - my tension is awful, I get confused about where I'm meant to create the stitches and what hole to use, and I am eternally frustrated by the lack of agreement between US and UK terminology when even the most basic stitches are different - and that in so many patterns, it's impossible for me to figure it out when - as so often happens - it doesn't say what terminology the pattern is using. But my knitting is okay enough that I now feel reasonably comfortable making things for people. I'm still far from perfect, but I'm so much better than I ever thought I could be, and I'm currently in the middle of making hats for four different people - all different patterns and styles, one of which I created myself - and a pair of slippers that are going to be a birthday present for someone else. I've made soft toys, gloves, mittens, mitts, scarves, blankets, shawls... now I just have to try a sweater, one day!
I know you showed us your sweater in a previous episode, but please tell what the sweater pattern is for your cardigan
It's Stripes Gone Crazy, by alfa knits. www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stripes-gone-crazy
I wonder if doing the cast on with the way you do it adds more or less stretch than the other way. One method must twist the yarn and the other won’t. Has anyone tested this?
I don't find much of a difference. The way loops are pulled through are just from a different orientation (above vs below), which is why I described the result as being flipped. I would suggest you try it with worsted weight yarn and large needles so you can see up close how the loops are formed. Then try each version on needles normally used with worsted weight yarn, and see what you think.
I learned the long tail cast on using the thumb method, but years later I learned the method where your fingers are spread and looks like a "sling shot". Since you're so good at explaining the construction of different stitches can you please explain the difference in these two methods. Thank you.
The difference is the same as knitting Continental vs knitting English. In both cases, you use the left thumb to create a twisted loop with the yarn tail. You use the working yarn to knit it. So, if you hold the working yarn in your left hand (the sling shot method), you are knitting that twisted loop Continental. If you hold the working yarn in your right hand, you're knitting it English.
So it's the same stitch, but done differently. No wrong or right way? 😊. Thank you for your explanation. I enjoy your video very much!...they are very informative.
No right or wrong way. Most knitting references show both methods. The "thumb method" version is easier to cast on in knit/purl pattern (you just bring the working yarn to the front and purl the loop, instead of knitting it. It's a bit trickier to do that with the Continental/sling shot method. You either have to use an Eastern purl or Norwegian purl. I learned to knit in Ireland, using the English method of knitting, so the thumb method made the most sense. I eventually learned the Continental method, but didn't understand it created the same result until I started the master hand knitting program and everyone was talking about the long tail cast on, and I didn't know what it was. This cast on has many names!
The tip-to-tip thing I call slipping purlwise, and your way I call slipping knitwise. Do you find these phrasings problematic?
While I will use purlwise/knitwise in written materials, I tend to emphasize tip-to-tip when demonstrating in person or on video, probably because of the number of students I've had who will slip incorrectly when given oral instructions.