Tubular Cast On

Last week at coffee, my friend showed me how to do tubular cast on, a new ribbing cast on that I'm now in LOVE with.  Although it takes a bit more effort, it leaves a professional finished edge and it stretches indefinitely!  No more of the dreaded, "Will my cast on stretch around the toddler's head??" {You know you've been there!}  I tried to make a video to show you this, but let's just say my video taping skills are vastly inferior to my knitting skills.  I took out the white flag and surrendered.  Photos are helpful too, so here we go...

First, with some waste yarn of the same weight, cast on half the number of stitches + 1 stitch.  Knit in stockinette stitch for 4 rows.  {If you're knitting in the round, just cast on half the number of stitches}

Next, with your project color; purl one row, knit one row, purl one row, knit one row.
{If knitting in the round, join and knit four rounds}


Now, you see those little green purl blips on the backside of your work?  You are going to be working into those stitches to form a rolled over or tubular edge.  Amazing, I know.  

Purl the first stitch, then lift the first purl blip and knit into it:  see photo below.  {For working in the round; knit the first stitch and purl the lifted stitch}  Do this all the way across and you should end up with a 1x1 ribbing in the actual number of stitched needed to cast on.

The waste yarn can now be removed by picking out the rows.  {And no the stitches won't all fall out.  My friend said so.  I secretly didn't believe her, but it's true.}


 And here's what it looks like up close.  A nice rolled, seamless finished edge.


Go ahead and try it!  Besides, if you have any questions, just ask and I'll do my best to help out.  
Also, don't forget to join in with Ginny over at her Yarn Along. I'm sure you can find lots of inspiration for your new found knitting skill!

11 comments

  1. Oooh NICE! N-I-C-E!!! Will try this very soon...

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  2. Very clever - of course I completely forget about the tubular cast on every time I cast on something ribbed - one of these days I'm determined to remember!

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  3. I've heard of this cast on, but never have done it. Thank you very much!

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  4. Thank you for that tutorial! Very helpful the next time I whip up some hats.

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  5. I must try this! thanks for the tutorial!!

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  6. Thanks for the tutorial - saved for when it's needed at the next opportunity!

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  7. How nice to share what you've learned. Your photos are very helpful! I've only just learned this myself this year!

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  8. cool, i just mastered the cable cast on. i love learning new knitting tricks!

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  9. I'm so glad you all like it and I hope it helps to expand your knitting fun!

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  10. woah! who knew? other obviously did, but it makes so much sense...the whole getting the thing over the head part! lol i hope i remember this when i am ready to try something besides my boring ol' little girl shawls!

    :)
    jen

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  11. This is wonderful! I needed to find a tutorial for the tubular cast on for a hat I am working on, and it worked like a charm! Thanks for posting! :)

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