Alternating Cable Cast On for Perfect Ribbing

[@kattiestokley3075]

While I realize this video is 5 years old, I am so incredibly thankful for this tutorial and had to say so! This will be my new favorite way to get a nice cast on edge for ribbing. Even the 2 x 2 rib. Thank you!

[@sheepandstitch]

I’m glad it’s still helpful five years later!

[@hippychick9106]

So much easier if you insert the needle BEFORE tightening previous cast on stitch....and as an added bonus it keep a nice space between stitches for much more stretch. Hope this is helpful for beginners✌🏻💛

[@sheepandstitch]

Yes! A really nice tip. Thanks for mentioning it!

[@monellerichmond7208]

Thanks! This stitch is very hard to do if unless you leave your stitches nice and loose.

[@annemariebenoit4263]

Agreed. It also tends to be well adjusted to the tension you use that way, especially if you are doing back to back knitting projects or did a reasonably substantial knitting guage swatch before starting.

[@margaretwells3051]

Yes, I discovered this - it does make it easier

[@Arabesque42]

Weird question 4 years later, would it help to use a right needle that's a size bigger than the required size?

[@RukiaandIchigo4eva]

I don't even know if you read all of your comments but you have been my lifesaver. My family has a tradition of every new family member gets a hand-made Christmas stocking. Since I just got recently engaged to a man with a daughter, we need two more stockings. Unfortunately my grandma, who has made all of our stockings in the past, has gotten to the point where she can't remember how to knit. So I was asked if I could do it since I already know how to crochet. Basically, you have taught me everything I know about knitting so far and I am able to start making my new family some stockings. So thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[@sheepandstitch]

Oh wow! That’s so heartwarming! I’m so glad to help you along in your knitting journey so you can carry on your family tradition! 🤗

[@carolineyeager3536]

I found swapping the knit and purl stitches kind of tricky at first but the result is definitely worth the effort. Btw, my first attempt using this cast on for 1x1 ribbing led to the happy discovery that it is absolutely fantastic for seed stitch. .

[@mary-anneswanson1428]

I found out the same thing by happy accident lol

[@dianthafrankort6270]

By far my favorite channel for knitting tutorials. Absolutely crystal clear every time. Thank you.

[@melissamoretz3037]

This is genius for the beginner! My soul was jumping for joy skipping cast well sort of. YOu are still casting but adding in the stitches at the same time! Thank you for the tutorial, very easy to follow! Now if I could just stop making mistakes after the 20th row I'd be happy. Sick of starting over! I'm an advanced Crocheter so this is like learning a new language and trust me I am! America Sign Language! So much to remember, too small of a brain and memory bank! LOL Same with Knitting! I get so lost when I do knit purl, family starts talking and frustration sets in. Until now. I did not know what the stitches looked like in knit or purl. I've done nothing but garter stitch. Time to buckle down and stop dropping stitches. Crochet is much more forgiving than knit is! I don't know how my mother back in the 80's knitted as much as she did the English way! I tried Continental as well. That's a little challenging but the English way is much easier for me. Not to mention I've only poked my eye out 10 times before I got the hang of it. BUT! LOOK AT IT! LOL I did 20 rows! Be proud of me family! LOL

[@tstp]

Oh, and best of all, no guessing at how much yarn to use at the start! Especially when casting on many many stitches.😄

[@annezwier9616]

Excellent and clearly explained. For the 2x2 rib I put the to be switched purl stitch temporarily on a third needle (just a short cable needle). After the 2nd knit stitch I purl from that cable needle. I experience that easier and faster to do.

[@Prettylittlething6701]

Fantastic tip, thank you.

[@Kimmcdougalcrafter]

Davina, guess what? I learned how to do the ribbing and made a scarf! Now, guess what? I'm cable knitting my first scarf!! Not bad for a crochet girl huh??! LOL! You make knitting so cool! Love watching and listening to your sweet voice! Thanks girly!

[@sheepandstitch]

Wow! Good for you!! You went from ribbing to cabling?! You're on fire! Thanks so much for your kind words and keep up the great knitting!

[@Kimmcdougalcrafter]

@@sheepandstitch I did I did! I had been wanting to learn cabling for such a long time, I can do it in crochet but I really love the knitting cable stitch, how it looks so I found an easy pattern and it's coming out really beautiful. I'm just a slow knitter right now hee hee, I'm much faster as a crocheter, but I'm having fun and that's important! :)

[@sheepandstitch]

​@@Kimmcdougalcrafter Yeah, the fun is super important! If a project looks like it'll be a blast to knit, I'll cast on in an instant! I actually have no idea how to crochet a cable, LOL. I've got to check it out!

[@Kimmcdougalcrafter]

@@sheepandstitch LOL! I hear ya girl! The knit cable, in my humble opinion LOL, looks much better than the crochet one :)

[@makoeyes]

I'm making my first cardigan and this video is exactly what I need. Very glad I watched until the end as I was trying to figure out how to apply this to a 2x2 rib cast on. Thanks so much for another clear and helpful tutorial!

[@JanetJenkins]

I prefer the way this 1x1 cast on looks over the tubular cast-on for the hat that I'm knitting. This is a brilliant explanation! Thank you!

[@katieg9807]

You videos are the best! Clear visuals, clear instruction, and fun :) You make it simple and enjoyable to follow along. Thank you!

[@mariehansen2534]

You still got that brilliant sense of humor. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@inkipinki8468]

Thank Davina for taking the time to go through all the stitches.

[@susanlucero3530]

Hello, Davina, I am so glad I took another look at your tutorial. Great one! Better than the one that I had to do a 3- row set up and leaves a loose join in those rows after I joined in the round. I was really having a hard time using the knitting needle for the cast-on row, but I found using a crochet hook does the trick and it became easier. Furthermore, I found your "ooopps moments" so daunting and treacherous for me so I looked for a way, too. Thus, I got a locking stitch marker, hook the purl stitch that you have to switch position, knit the next, return the hooked purl stitch to the left needle and continue purling. It was like doing a cable without actually using a cable needle. Yes, it added more steps for me but in the end so worth it rather than rattling up my nerves hahahahaha Thank you so much, Davina! You're always such a great teacher and fun, too! More power to your channel

[@Merakiyarns]

Thank you! So. Much. I am a knew knitter. My ribbing had so much gap. This tutorial nailed it! A bit tricky at first but after several attempts I got it. So worth this extra effort. My ribbing looks SO much nicer now ❤!

[@helena.3472]

Thank you ever so much for this video. I've done this cast on before but have had to rip it out many times because I lost track and couldn't tell which stitch came next. Now you've made it so clear by showing how to distinguish the knit and purl cast on stitches. So glad to have come across your vid 😁😁😁😁

[@professorbirch6363]

I ripped out well over 100 tries for that very reason!

[@ingridrichards8538]

I feel the very same way Helen A. It has prompted me to send this response; very clearly demonstrated and explained. My project at the time I was using a very dark yarn and not for the love of me could I get this thing right, but when I found Sheep&Stitch video and the clarity I now knew what to look for, so dark yarn or no, I could quickly cast on, and it looked really good, just like in the pattern. Was doing a hat for a 7 year old.... thanks so much Davina, you are awesome. Keep up the good work!!!

[@caroletodd6373]

This works really well on The Weekender sweater instead of the tubular cast on.

[@helena.3472]

Wonderful thank you, you're a great teacher....I'm confident I can slaaaay my cast on like a pro now that I've fully understood it. What I appreciate the most is the way you've demonstrated how to recognise whether the last stitch completed on the needle was a knit or a purl cast. In a previous project I had so many restarts, when distracted for whatever reason, and the result....confusion followed by ripping out the stitches. Thanks again - skill upgraded!! 💪 👏

[@a.nifhionnallain5658]

Best tutorial I have found for this - takes a few minutes to get used to switching the stitches but it's well worth the effort on the first row - after that my double rib looks lovely. Thanks!

[@knitlover1]

I just tried this for the first time, and it works beautifully! Thanks for a great instructional video. I look forward to watching more of your tutorials.

[@LittleHobbit13]

Attempting a pattern that didn't explain this technique well at all. This video saved me, very clear and easy to understand, so thanks!

[@chyhart]

I needed understanding on why the knitting gymnastics is the method when it seems like instead you could cast on 2knits then cast 2 Purls? And you delivered. I love how the end to your video explains this in exactly my brains thinking. I've always been a "why" person. It's always easier for me to learn when I know the why!

[@avlawerd59]

I gotta say I was skeptical of this technique until the very end when you did the Q&A !! 🤗 Marvelous, I couldn't be more pleased. 😍

[@gardenglory6624]

why skeptical? I tried it and its seamless and a gorgeous way to start your work.

[@vguillable]

This just made my day. I'm about to start my first sweater so this couldn't have come at a better time.

[@sheepandstitch]

Awesome! I hope this cast on looks fabulous with the ribbing!

[@PG-wz7by]

Years go by, but I want to send best wishes for your first sweater. Hope you really like it.

[@gardenglory6624]

How is the first sweater going?

[@Runt]

That little tip to figure out if you k or p was a HUGE help, thank you.

[@pennybock]

Honestly, I would have watched a screen recording of minutes 4 to 6 about 200 times white I knitted my row of 144 cast of stitches. Really such a fabulous tutorial.

[@hbm8389]

Wow. Such clear instruction. Perfect pace. Please show how to join in the round with this cast on!

[@saxbabe]

Darn, wish you'd gotten a reply! Seeing the join for the round would have been very helpful!

[@liliabellafiori4790]

@@saxbabe KnitCafeMidori has a great video showing how to join in the round. The video demonstrates a regular cable cast-on, but the join works the same way for an alternating cable (at least in 1x1 rib - I've never tried this cast-on in 2x2, so not sure about that). Let me know if you have questions, as I just used her technique, and it worked beautifully! Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hna6kGlri9NsbaM

[@saxbabe]

@@liliabellafiori4790 That video shows the join before knitting a row while in your video you mention knitting a row flat before joining for the 2x2 rib. I was just curious if this is somehow different than the join she showed.

[@liliabellafiori4790]

@@saxbabe yes, it is different. In this video, she says to knit your first round flat before joining in the round, because it is easier to see your stitches if you have knit the first row before joining in the round. In KnitCafeMidori's video, she joins in the round immediately after casting on, so her first row is knit in the round, not flat.

[@saxbabe]

@@liliabellafiori4790 Right, that is what I said. So what I want to know is *how* is it different in what actions I have to take *at the moment of joining*. This is why me and the original commenter wanted to see it, rather than just mentioned in a note at the end of the video. Long story short, I want to see this cast on for 2x2 with the first row knit flat and then joined in the round. If it's different, I want to see the difference.

[@metacomet2066]

Excellent! Great demonstration... took me a few times, but I followed you every step. Thanks!

[@JoyceVanEck-o4v]

This is one of the best videos I've seen as a knitting tutorial! Very clear visuals, great explanations, fun and interesting.

[@sheepandstitch]

Aww thank you so much!

[@MarciaCleare]

On the strength of this video alone I subscribed. Your explanations are very clear and I love the tip on how to differentiate between purls and knits. I’ve done this cast on before and was always confused. You cleared it up beautifully.

[@sheepandstitch]

Wow! Thank you for the vote of confidence!

[@victoriamgaray07]

This cast on looks so easy and stretchy! I can't wait to try it! But I was wondering if you would post a video about "How to Cast Off" in the same alternating cable style? If that's hopefully a thing.

[@xpsyduck]

I might be too late with this, but I would recommend looking at a tutorial for italian tubular bind off! Takes a while, but it's really worth it!

[@chyhart]

Update : I did it! The hardest part was my adhd making me not sure if I just completed a knit /Purl accurately 😅 Wait.. You did 18 stitches ending in a knit? Do you not count the first slipknot as a stitch? The image @1:38 shows 19 total stitches. I'm doing a pattern where I have to cast on 2x2 alternating rib of 40 stitches, so I'm not sure if I should do an extra stitch at the end like you did and end in a knit stitch.. Or if I should count the slip not and end in a purl stitch. Hmm I'll start over.. Good practice I guess

[@jonidowns6596]

Honestly I’d given up hope of ever learning a cable cast on, but I already cast on knit stitches this way so this actually looks possible!! Thanks!

[@annikagroebner7534]

I agree - extremely good tutorial - very clear speaking and visuals. Thanks you!

[@ConradNMT]

I tried to figure out how to do a cast on in ribbing and couldn’t figure it out. I had a little bit of a learning curve with this, but now I’ve got it and this piece I making is going to look so much better than my last one, which had a knit-on edge. Casting off in ribbing is easy, but I just could not figure out the cast on. Thank you so much for the clear directions.

[@EsmereldaPea]

These are awesome instructions but I have such a sensory aversion to wooden needles that watching this made my teeth hurt. LOL. But I managed to watch enough. So I'm going to go cast on! Thanks!

[@flyingcloud9253]

You're a very good teacher! Thank you for you deliberate, calm nature...

[@gardenglory6624]

Tried all of this, HIGHLY recommend ...will make your work look more professional...super nice. thanks.

[@janejarvis53]

Thank you so much for this! I absolutely love how it turned out - really appreciate the tutorial on how to do this. It was tricky, but well worth the effort.

[@JACLevair]

❤ Thank you for this tutorial. Great video. The tubular cast on was really hurting my arthritic finger and I was fighting it. My cuff with this alternate cable cast on for my mittens is so squishy nice, the stitches are great and it is visually impressive. Kinda professional looking. All the best, Joyce

[@PG-wz7by]

Geez that's gorgeous yarn 😛Thank you for an excellent, helpful video. I appreciate the clarity and am off to cast on!

[@ceesbees6985]

Love this, thank you! Well explained and demonstrated, much appreciated......I'm so happy with the way that my border now looks..:)

[@alwynn2233]

This is a super good video of an alternating cable cast on for 2X2 ribbing.

[@alisacutcher9760]

All I can say is.....THANK YOU! Wasn’t ready to deal with the Italian cast on, this is a fabulous substitute.

[@dianeanderson905]

Totally agree with you on the Italian cast on; why bother when this works so well?

[@ellarae6450]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I've watched probably ALL the videos that I can find on this one subject, and there are many. However, this is the first one that I have successfully followed and have actual 1x1 ribbing on my needle now thereby ending weeks of unsatisfactory, frustrating and futile efforts to start a hat.

[@sheepandstitch]

So glad it was helpful!

[@barbarah5756]

Pure Genius? So easy. Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@kelleyforeman]

This is soooo much easier than tubular cast on! I don't have the emotional strength to cast on 316 stitches for tubular cast on!😆 thanks!!

[@AllieJessing]

I'd love a cast-off recommendation for complimenting this. I knitted my first project, a leg warmer, using this cast-on (which I loved, thank you!), but then wasn't sure what the best cast-off would be to give a uniform look. I ended up using a "ribbed sewn cast off" that was pretty good but not identical. I'm about to start the second leg warmer!

[@loviisalindpere2072]

I've done swap 2 as "knit the second stitch, leave it on the left needle, purl the first stitch, then slide them both off the left needle", voila! No need to worry about potentially losing a stitch along the way.

[@deejcarter2003]

Don’t you still have to swap them if your doing 2x2 rib?

[@theresadoll5374]

You had me at “Ha-zaaah!”

[@Joon-r6o]

You have made me learn how to knit thank you i love you❤❤❤

[@sheepandstitch]

Happy to hear that! ❤️

[@katel.8186]

Thanks for these clear instructions!

[@lova368]

Still want to see you do join in the round 😳

[@liliabellafiori4790]

I don't know if you still need help, but KnitCafeMidori has a great video showing how to join in the round. The video demonstrates a regular cable cast-on, but the join works the same way for an alternating cable (at least in 1x1 rib - I've never tried this cast-on in 2x2, so not sure about that). Let me know if you have questions, as I just used her technique, and it worked beautifully! Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hna6kGlri9NsbaM

[@Chris-zw8sp]

This is the first tutorial by you that I have watched but it won't be the last because of the explanation at the end of WHY you have to do the stitch switcheroo. I was wondering!

[@translocated]

this is the first one i got stuck on but i just wanted to say that your videos have helped me so much!! i took up stitching during lockdown and honestly with your good explanations i progressed really quickly! thanks davina

[@_chong_]

Why didn’t I see this tutorial before !! Thank you so much for this .

[@smallcat4560]

this video is so helpful and soothing

[@lindaayala6541]

Just in time to cast on for a summer sSell. this cast on is perfect for the project. Thanks!

[@valleygirlknits]

Awesome tutorial! I learned something new today! 😊

[@ConnyNordlicht]

Thanks a lot, 3 just knew the long - tail - cast - on! That's not so fine be knitting ribbings. I'm happy now!

[@deannehite2339]

Excellent video! You are a very good teacher!

[@enooeeelelee_]

I'm watching The Great season 2 while watching this so how fun to hear you say "Huzzah". Lol!

[@carolynross6052]

WOW!!! Thanks to you and this video I finally got it figured out!!! I was having a bit of a time at first because my needle point was a bit more rounded so I used a sharper needle in my right hand. I need to order some sharper dpns. Again a HUGE THANK YOU!

[@elegy9326]

Man I wish i had come to you 3 hours ago. Not other tutorial compares.

[@katyvdb5993]

Thank you, this was very helpful.

[@annemariebenoit4263]

Never even occured to me that casting on and off in pattern was possible

[@Soporbum42]

Thanks for the great video! I was struggling with magic loop but this was much easier for me to wrap my yarn around. For clarification, if I'm going to go round, I should cast on my required number of stitches, then knit/purl my 1x1 across a whole row, and then join at the beginning of the second set of knit/purls?

[@tstp]

I’ve read advice re other methods that recommend doing what you asked. Then, with a darning needle, tidy it up at the end. This is how Winwick Mum starts her top down socks. There are probably videos showing how to tidy it up with a darning needle at the end.

[@janerobinson7078]

Wow. Really a wonderful clear helpful video. Thank you.

[@jennyenglish4601]

Great video clear and concise. Thank you

[@ivania40]

This is the best tutorial ever for me. Thank you so much !

[@WendyBarron14]

Terrific tutorial. Thanks for this!

[@samtoney4783]

Great Video can’t wait to try it. QUESTION: do you have a corresponding cast off, that melts so beautifully into rib stitches?

[@gracewang413]

yah! Watch the binding off in pattern video on her channel

[@rubygray7749]

You really need to learn the Invisible bind-off to complement this cast -on method. It has several names such as the tubular bind-off, the kitchener or grafted bind-off, the sewn bind-off etc. You use a darning needle to work the final row and it is the perfect, very stretchy finish to 1x1 rib. It literally flows from one side into the other. You will be so proud of having this finish on your knitting!

[@nadia4372]

Ok, dumb question: can’t I simply cast on 2 knit and 2 purl and on, for a 2x2 rib? 🤔

[@41txdawn]

@@nadia4372 she explains & demonstrates why you can't do that towards the end of this video.

[@stonechops]

I’m watching this on 0.25x speed and I love that it sounds like someone heavily intoxicated is teaching me knitting better than I ever can sober. 😂

[@juliedunn4730]

Great video! Thanks so much for sharing 😊

[@TruckinKnitter]

When you start knitting, have you considered trying a modified knit purl right twist? Knit into the second stitch, then purl into the first stitch, then drop both stitches off the left needle.

[@tstp]

Super cool! Thanks.

[@carolsierze8080]

Great tutorial!! Fun and clear instruction!!!

[@judyamarose9041]

So when you say to knit the first round flat and then join, you mean the row after cast on? Wouldn't that mess up the cool ribbing? I'm confused!

[@susanlucero3530]

knit in the pattern that your project calls for, I believe that is what she meant

[@eleanorshute296]

I am new to knitting so sorry if this seems a silly question, but for the 2x2 rib, could you not just cast on 2 knit stitches then 2 purl stitches in order to avoid having to rearrange them?

[@Kevin_B1428]

Watching the video I had the exact same question! 😊 glad she answered it at the end of the tutorial, just like she read my mind! 😂

[@carolstefan7662]

Very good video! Thank you!

[@sabrina4137]

Super helpful video, just wish you would have shown how to join in the round too

[@rhondabeckwith8782]

Very KOOL! your an awesome teacher, I did it! I Got it!! Yippee thank you hugs

[@MichelleMutert]

Great video - thank you! What bind off do you recommend for a mirror edge (2x2 rib)?

[@roxta6735]

Fantastic instructions thank you

[@lieslnew8247]

Perfect. Thank you !!

[@donatiennecaron6715]

Hi, this is a great tutorial. But what do your recommend for a 2/1 rib? Is it the same principal? Tnx for giving me your advice. Dona from Belgium

[@eleanorthompson7864]

Is there an equivalent cast (bind) off please?!

[@PamelaSmith20010]

Thank you so much , this video showed up at just the right tme❤️

[@anacoba3210]

Thank you so much!! You made it understandable, yay!

[@lisamazzitelli4971]

FABULOUS video! Thank you!!! :)

[@PamelaSmith20010]

Could this work for a purl 3 knit 2 ribbing?

[@tobygolding1893]

thank u finally some1 makes it easy

[@kjsreedsport]

Is there any reason we couldn’t cast on 2 knits, 2 purls instead of doing the swap technique?

[@FalynnFromGrace]

Kathy Sargenti Check out time stamp 13:18 at the end of the video. I was wondering the same thing. She shows a picture of how ugly and disjointed it looks if you K2P2.

[@FalynnFromGrace]

Or timestamp 13:44 if you just want to see the picture of K2P2.

[@suemount6042]

I was wondering that myself and it looked real ugly then I found this bit of the thread lol

[@lindakilgore2298]

so what happens to that very first slip knot stitch? does it become a purl on the return when you do the rib? i'm sure i'm overthinking this....

[@MontiLeeStormer]

Correct - it becomes a Purl stitch on the way back. She's casting on 18 and she ends with a Knit. The journey out is SlipKnot, K, P, K, P, K, P, K, P, K, P, K, P, K, P, K, P, K, P, K. On the return trip, that Slip Knot becomes a Purl Stitch, whether doing 1x1 or 2x2. It's different from a Long-tail because you don't count the slip knots in longtail cast-ons. This one is counted and is integrated.

[@cguilliams210]

@@MontiLeeStormer But if you end with a P stitch, how can the first stitch on the next row be a K stitch as stated when beginning the row after cast on?

[@MontiLeeStormer]

@@cguilliams210 a purl stitch is the back side of a knit stitch and vice versa. R1 - KPKPKP R2 - PKPKPK

[@cguilliams210]

@@MontiLeeStormer I haven't knit in quite a while and used to do it diligently. I was wondering about that!! (I'm converting to circulars, so of course that's all I think.) Thanks so much for responding so quickly. I still think I have to wait until daylight since it's in black, and I also have a strand of mohair in with it . I guess I kind of asked for trouble - LOL! Thanks again.

[@cguilliams210]

I'm still confused. Why does she end the first (cast-on) row with a K stitch? I didn't hear her say that (maybe I missed it).

[@tamidmiller4348]

Would like suggestions for a matching cast off.

[@mariapaiz4016]

Love your tutorials, any socks tutorials coming soon? This grandmother is going to take knitting! Thank you be safe and healthy Blessings

[@WendyFarkas]

Beautiful tutorial, thank you! I wonder about the slip knot that starts off the cast-on row. Is it unknotted? Retained? Is it counted as a stitch? I'll be working on dpns and was going to add a stitch for joining purposes. Perhaps use the slip stitch?

[@hildebraam6937]

This is such a helpful video, thank you!

[@loismayers8006]

Your videos have the clearest descriptions. You make everything so easy to follow. One thing that I am confused about in this is whether the knitting needle goes between the stitches differently for a knit or purl stitch. Does it go behind the needle for a knot and on top of the needle for a purl?