How to Knit a STRETCHY CAST ON (aka. German Twist Cast On)

[@sol6078]

i know this video is like three years old at this point, but i'm knitting my first pair of socks, and i got it after two tries! your instructions are super clear and easy to follow, thank you for this!

[@DanielleHayes-gq6ec]

Some knitting methods date back thousands of years - these skills can last eons!

[@halinearing2360]

Three years after you i am making a dish cloth and totally agree with your statement. Very easy to follow❤

[@Erika70079]

By far, the BEST cast-on video I've seen! Camera angle is perfect, the speed is perfect. This made it very easy to learn! Thank you so much. Great teacher.

[@dennaneff3261]

Here it is Aug. 29, 2023. So glad I found your video of German Twisted Cast On. I have watched several others and was about to give up on this technique but .. BUT! I found your instructions clear and visually easy to see what you were doing and how to hold the yarn and move it thru. Thank you. Thank you!! 🏆

[@olliemarie73]

As many others have said, I watched multiple videos trying to explain this cast-on method, but it wasn't until I watched this one that it finally made sense! I really appreciate your slow instructions and the angle of the video showing your hand movements as well as the fact that you did it multiple times getting only slightly faster each time. Thank you so much!!

[@virginia8089]

I got it right away-- like others said, your clear directions and demonstrations are why I got it! Thank you :)

[@sheepandstitch]

Thanks so much for watching. I'm glad it helped it you out!

[@emmaburgessdean2355]

Me too! And I had a cocktail while I did it ;-)

[@michaeljensen900]

Got it too. I like to bend my thumb at the end to help get the needle past the bend

[@megmagruder7124]

Totally… great directions. It’s been years since I picked up yarn, and in minutes, I’m German whatever casting on! Don’t tell my Aunt this is better than her teaching. LOL 😂

[@donnalibrandi256]

Thank you Davina for the video the instructions were clear. I knew how to do the long tail cast on.

[@jh7100]

Your demos are easy to follow. Thanks. I also appreciate that you showed us what the cast on looks like once done and explained the pros and cons of it. Thank you. I’m still learning all the different cast on techniques and appreciate the pointers you give us!

[@Izzyluv609]

I forgot to mention..your videos are exceptional! Easy to hear, understand and I appreciate that you repeat the steps over and over…My goal is to learn how to understand a simple pattern beginning with easy projects.😊

[@gosplendid]

You are an amazing knitting instructor. I watch your video to learn a garter stitch scarf. Made 3 sweaters, 3 cardigans, 6 hats, 1 mitten, 4 bandana cowls. Now I am ready for German Twisted CO. I watched 3 other videos, and your video is the one I got it in 4 minutes!

[@nancyhalter1796]

You are terrific. I tried 3 or 4 others and I thought I was going to quit. But found you and your sensitive and helpful comments are what made me feel so relaxed that I did it! Wow🎉🎉. Thank you soooo much. I’m subscribing to your channel. Yay I did it thanks to you

[@christinaabramowski6285]

Oh my goodness!!! You are a WONDERFUL TEACHER! You have a perfect background, easy to see. You have a lovely voice. You talk slowly enough to knit along but not too slow! You repeated the stitch the perfect amount of times. THANK YOU for teaching me! Peace.

[@dianehall4959]

Thank you! I looked at several videos for the German Twist Cast On and was confused until I watched yours. Thanks for making this stitch look easy. Once I got the hang of it, it really is an easy cast on.

[@cathygoulet7635]

Great video. I suggest that when pulling strands to snug up the cast on stitch on the needle, keep the tension on the strands even so the bottom of the stitch lands consistently on the bottom of the needle. And keep an eye on the space between each stitch on the needle to ensure the finished edge is consistent.

[@qebonut7979]

This is my third or fourth time coming back to this video now, because I've taken several long breaks from knitting and am just now coming back from my longest one yet. But I wanted to tell you that you are the person who taught me how to knit, and I keep coming back to your videos and your website because your instructions and demonstrations are the most comfortable, clear, and informative I have ever found. Please keep doing what you do, you have been the biggest help to me and my knitting hobby ever!

[@paulettegoldsmith2695]

I am so glad I found your video just about the time I was going to give up on the stretchy German cast on. The twist of the hand motions absolutely helped me finally get this. I have arthritic fingers and didn’t seem to be able to master the second part of this technique. Not only that, but the way you hold the two strands between your fingers gave me the idea which helped all my casting on. I use the last two fingers now to anchor the yarn when I’m casting on - it works so much better for me since the yarn was always slipping and was too loose because of weak fingers. Thank you - thank you!

[@deborahhevizi-chapman4146]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! After watching quite a few videos yours is the only one that made any sense to me. I am new to socks and circular knitting and was getting quite frustrated at my inability to pick this technique up. I am in the UK and although I have been knitting for over 50 years, circular knitting has been a bit of a steep learning curve for me, lol. Thanks again.

[@vitorialima6834]

This stretchy cast on saved my current knitting project. I'd finished a cowl for my boyfriend but the edges were sooo tight, wanna cried whe realized I had to redo the whole thing ahahahah Now I started with this fantastic cast on and my dream is coming true!!! \0/ Thanks for the amazing explanation, calmly and precisely, also thanks for the great video quality!!!

[@Nopenopenope412]

I went back in my history and counted; this is the 6th video I watched to learn this cast on and it was the only video that made sense to me. Super concise and well done. Thank you so much!

[@sandraspatz2316]

Thank you for your easy to follow video. I like that you didn’t add in a lot of filler and thereby got right to the lesson on hand. Maybe use a more solid cord of yarn next time since The grey was a little hairy. But altogether it was doable. Thanks for your lesson!

[@erukaseven]

This is amazing! It's weird and you know what? It works for my weird brain. Picked it up quick, course there are still slips but I've only just started, so here I go! First knitted fingerless gloves.

[@thedabara2477]

Really good tutorial. I needed it for some hats with turn back cuffs I'm making, traditional watch caps. The stretchy edge is so necessary. Oh, and I thought I'd mention . . . I had a student once who was fixated on eliminating knots from her work. We figured out that one could simply lay/drape the yarn over the needle at the point where your slipknot would naturally go, plant your index finger on it to anchor it and carry on as normal. You have a polite little loop (counts as a stitch) that you simply treat as you would any other cast-on stitch. Now I try to avoid knots everywhere in my knitting. And I learned that students can often teach the teachers.

[@gailflitcraft6813]

Your description and video were extremely helpful! I have looked at two other popular sites and could not “get it”. With one view of your video I nailed it! I need this cast on for my sweater and would not have started it today without your helpful video. Awesome! Thank you so much!

[@Hats_Onirac]

I agree

[@pouncersd6616]

Brilliant. Thank you. I had never even heard of this (haven't knitted for 25 years) but my pattern asked for it and guess what - I found there are at least 5 ways to cast on and none of them are the way my mother and grandmother taught me. Well, so this was easy to follow; I watched and tried for 15 mins or so then had to go out and came back this afternoon for a second go and got it immediately. Very clear instructions, very clear images. Thank you.

[@candeewitt252]

Thank you, thank you, I tried this cast on at 2 other knitting sites & almost gave up. I decided to watch yours & I'm so happy I did! You made it so easy😊

[@sheepandstitch]

Happy to help! 😁

[@thornyback]

Thank you for a great instruction, I got the hang of it right away. The trick is all in the left thumb, letting it do the loop work.

[@sheepandstitch]

Happy to hear that! And yes the thumbs do a lot of the heavy lifting 😉

[@babycarrots5622]

this is an awesome tutorial, I really appreciate that you kept repeating the steps so I didn't have to constantly scrub back

[@colettemoolman4410]

Idk how you can improve on an already perfect instruction video. Truly the best knitting teacher, thank you.

[@chatrimakes]

As an avid sock knitter, this is a game changer. I just tried this on my 28th pair and it is everything!!! Learning new things keeps me fresh!!! Thank you!

[@ruthschubarth7002]

I’ve tried at least 28 times to “just pull through” and am ending up with too many loops on the needle- what am I doing wrong?

[@peacelilly83]

I watched many other videos and I had my German twist cast on down in SECONDS with your tutelage!!!!! Thank you. Also, your demeanor is just so pleasant it makes watching your videos that much more enjoyable. 🧶

[@juliemascarin6727]

You were Awesome. I watched other videos and it seemed so complicated…then I watched yours and viola I got it the first time. Thank you so much.

[@dorothythompson8139]

I've watched so many different tutorials and you're the BEST! Your instructions are clear and you repeat enough times, the videoing is excellent as I can see every movement you make and the yarn is not lost against the background ie dark yarn with a dark table or needles! Thank you so much! I'm a beginner and I just knitted your beanie but it's not perfect like yours!!! You have reignited my interest in knitting! I'm looking forward to making more things with you. I do love knitted socks so will check your tutorials. I just chanced upon you on KZbin! Happy Days!!

[@alexahook8648]

Just want to say...I love, love, love your videos. I just learned to knit during COVID so I depend on KZbin knitting tutorials a lot. Sure, lots of people have the same tutorial but your voice is so upbeat and I just like your style. Way to go!

[@mindydenbow9380]

I am relatively new to knitting, self taught. I watched four other videos for this method and yours was the best! Thank you!😊

[@maggieschmitt23]

as you said, have patience with the process, and oneself, but I think I finally got it. yours was the clearest instruction I have found. Thank you. The only thought I have is to show a close-up at the end of casting on to show what the stitches look like, as I am not 100% sure I got it. But I will keep trying!

[@RunningPanda32]

First time to the channel, and I just wanted to say how clear and great this video is!!! I was looking for an elastic cast-on video, at the recommendation of my local yarn shop on the best way to start a hat, and after seeing my first few, I felt so lost. Your video - I got it on one view! Your descriptions are great - thank you so much!!

[@ickachu]

I am a beginner knitter and I am gonna knit a sweater without a pattern, so I'm kind of thinking ahead what kind of features I want in the sweater. And I was just about to start with a longtail co that I have done before when I started wondering about a more stretchy co but easy enough for me as a beginner, since I want to sweater to be quite oversized and I do not want it to be inelastic. This method is gold and your instructions are so clear. Thank you so much for this!

[@Lux_EternaxX]

I watched a few how to's on this cast on, and yours is the only one that made sense! Thank you!

[@leapintothewild]

This is an amazing cast-on !! I used it for making a huge afghan from Bella Chenille Big, a chunky yarn, and got the perfect stretchy edge that perfectly matches the stretch twisted knit stitch I used for the body. Also used your video for the stretchy cast off! Came back to review so I can use the same cast-on for another afghan from the leftover yarn. I don't knit a lot due to arthritis, but really love your channel and clear instructions. THANK YOU!!

[@sheepandstitch]

Aww thank you! I agree it’s a great cast on!

[@jimmifraser7367]

I love all your videos. Because of you I have managed to start knitting.

[@annemariebenoit4263]

I like your channel. The videos are long compared to many youtube knitting tutorials but worth it because I consistently get what you are talking about rather than having to watch 6 videos on the same subject to find something thoroughly explained and/or demonstrated. The only thing I would change is to show at the very beginng or very what the result looks and acts like in the finished project OR, assuming you keep track, a previously finished project that used the same technique with one or more patterns.

[@rachelreisner5854]

I've watched loads of how-to videos on this cast on and even the ones that claim to be slowmo are not nearly as clear as yours. The way you stop and explain every single movement of your hand or the yarn makes it so easy to follow along and really see what you need to do. Fantastic. I feel I've nailed it already after casting on only 5 stitches. Thank you for a brilliant video.

[@sheepandstitch]

Thanks for your comment! So happy you could pick it up so quickly 🙌

[@vlee3880]

Thanks for this great video! Your instructions and hand motions are super clear! I know the long tail cast on, and have done the German a few times but really long ago. I keep *trying* to learn how to knit, basically on my own - which is seeming foollish since I do have knitting goals 😂 Anyway, I’m start (again) my “first” pair of sock (at least attempt #4 over 20 years). I know now though that some cast-on methods are stretchier than others! I came to find one and am delighted by your video. I can’t wait to see what else you’re up to online! Thanks again!!

[@cheriecamp]

Oh my gosh, Davina! It took me an hour to (re)find this video, I subscribed to your channel months ago and this was one of the first videos I watched. Today I decided to do some knitting and could not remember how to do this cast on. I searched your channel, but could not find it (saw your longtail cast on for BEGINNERS - wrong!) so I watched 1 million other how-to cast on videos (even another German twist) but NONE of them were showing this method. Thank goodness and whew, now I can begin my new project. You are awesome and you make me lol.

[@MilitantSoyBoy]

I know this is 4 years old, but literally, your videos are the best!!! I used to knit a tiny bit as a kid, but just got back into it. This cast on is perfect for a blanket I want to make. You teach it so clearly, thank you!

[@o0oMysticdragono0o]

LOVED the tip about wrapping the yarn around for the number of stitches to get the amount of yarn needed for the long tail...Thank you for sharing

[@belidoriabelidoria3346]

Thanks for sharing this video! This will be perfect for the socks, slippers, and slouchy hat I am going to try making! I think I will watch some of your other videos first before I try to start knitting, as you give clear, concise instructions.

[@meaganin]

I would have loved to see you demonstrate/show the stretch this cast on gives on the finished piece of work.

[@annemariebenoit4263]

Or even on a swatch... that would not take long.

[@annemariebenoit4263]

But then it would not be hard for us to knit a swatch with this technique and our chosen pattern either... different cast-ons are only going to work well with some patterns, not all, anyways so what works for hers may not work for yours.

[@sparkleemojidotjpeg]

@@annemariebenoit4263 still, it would be interesting to see it on a couple of different swatches (ribbing vs stockinette) or compared to more basic cast ons.

[@DarlyFofa]

You can see a picture of a finished piece at 0:33.

[@kims.3257]

Wow - what a great explanation. Watched the first section twice and boom, I understood what to do. And this certainly doesn't happen for me too often. Thank you for making such an easy to comprehend video!

[@KAlfred11]

Dark magic secret: variegated yarn! Your instructions are clear and well-paced. Anyone trying this, start with yarn that changes color quickly.

[@poppyharalson8563]

I got it right away, but long tail is my go to cast on so the movements are familiar. Your teaching style is awesone!!! Thank you.

[@cbdom]

Love it! Easy to do right away and so much better than the one I was trying to do. Hoping that my 220 stitch Honey Cowl will finally have a cast-on that doesn't want to twist once in the round. For some reason I kept twisting, but I have a feeling that it's because I was doing a more basic cast-on with tail and working yarn at opposite ends. Crossing my fingers that this is the magic one that works! Thanks so much for your super easy to follow tutorial! Lovely!

[@lauraevans9945]

I watch the long cast on and then immediately watched this video once I understood it and by the last cast on you did I had a general handle on the instructions. Now to practice! I love your tutorials very informative and straightforward!

[@aliceinwonderland8314]

Good tutorial, I like that you showed it a couple of different times, managed to get the technique pretty quickly after a few failed attempts.

[@allisonloewer2719]

Love your videos. Teaching myself to knit from you tube videos and you are definitely my go to for any new task. Your camera angles and lighting go wonderfully with your instructions to make learning so easy. Thank you and keep posting!!!

[@Izzyluv609]

I learned basic knitting as a young girl from our neighbor lady but haven’t done much more than easy stuff….and I’ve forgotten how to do the initial cast on .😮 I had no clue about wooden needles and they look so much less slippery. I’ll check out the other KZbin videos on different types of knitting projects. It keeps me busy during the cold winter months here in Oregon .

[@carriegesner3813]

OMGOSH TYSM!! Your explanation and super slow motions was so helpful!! Finally!! Someone who went slow enough so I can watch and stitch at the same time! Thank you!! 💖

[@katyvdb5993]

Very clear and helpful. I had to watch a couple of times, but by the time you had demonstrated 3 stitches I was picking it up. Thank you.

[@totombungo3980]

I loved this video, I looked at several others and couldn't get to grips with the process. But somehow this just clicked and I managed it with no major problem. Thank you!

[@leesaruklic204]

Thanks Davina! I saw two other you tube tutorials and couldn’t work out what they were doing. First watch if your video and I got it. Love your videos. Best knitting teacher ❤❤❤

[@sheepandstitch]

You are so welcome! Thanks for your kind words!

[@kbarbaraa]

Thank you!! Watched multiple videos and showing the strand vs just generic “and drop your thumb” really helped make things clear.

[@joa7302]

So tried and tested ! Got it pretty much straight away. Not because I’m a freak but because your video is just perfect !! Thank you very much

[@sheepandstitch]

You’re so welcome! I’m glad you got it straight away! What a pro!

[@jez3belly]

I got it on the first try, because your instructions are super clear! Thank you, Davina!

[@sheepandstitch]

You’re very welcome! I’m glad it worked out for you!

[@erinbanana22]

Perfect directions and got right into my cart on groove like with normal long tail cast in! Super excited to see how different it is for the neck of my new sweater then you! Long tail was a little too stiff for this project 🥰

[@ccpperrett7522]

Wow! I love it! What a great stretchy cast on. Go German cast on! Lovely, crafty, cool! Great demo.

[@janafortier2334]

I watched a couple other videos demonstrating this and could not get it. After watching yours I got it right away! Thank you so much for your very clear video!

[@michande61]

Thank you! I've watched quite a few videos on this technique and yours finally clicked 😊 "Twist your hands". And the little comment about the little strand and pointing out that it was the stitch! Ah ha! Eureka!

[@sheepandstitch]

So glad it helped 🤗

[@klaudiakotowska2098]

Wow, this is the best tutorial on this particular cast o method. You beat for me even the slow mo of very pink knits. Thank you!

[@lucianapignatelli8583]

La prima sera che l'ho ascoltata al Festival sono rimasta folgorata e ho pensato subito: è lei la vincitrice!!!!! E che interpretazione!!!!!! Grande compositore Giampiero Arteggiani, mai abbastanza apprezzato!!!! RIP! 🙏

[@WithAlexofficial]

I have watched so many videos and yours FINALLY makes sense! Thank you SO much!!! Gonna try this technique with Tunisian crochet :)

[@lydiabendas274]

Absolutely the BEST video for this cast on. My difficulty had been the very last step of it and you demonstrated EXACTLY what I needed to understand. Thank you very much!

[@shirleycoonce8726]

I love watching your videos. Thank you for teaching us the stretchy cast on. I would never say anything mean. No one should.

[@jillmcloughlin4888]

Davina, you're GREAT! This video is SO clear, so well paced, I appreciate how many times you showed this cast on, VERY easy to follow it. I think I've GOT it. On 2 watches. Thanks!

[@rolandehuot4292]

Very well explained. Your voice is clear and slow enough to give us the time to follow. Thanks

[@katjaamyx2922]

Thanks for this video. I'm only two rows into my project, so I can't really speak to the stretchiness aspect. What I love already is how this cast on is so stable! I love knitting on round needles but casting on can be a challenge as the stitches move between the needle and the cable. These cast on stitches held their shape perfectly while I was casting on and through the knitting of the first row. Excellent!

[@Janne_Mai]

Thank you for this video! I made a pair of handwarmers (arm socks?) using this cast on. The method is definitely freaky and scary but you explain it really slowly snd well. Thank you for including so many examples in the video! After I kind of got it, I did it alongside you, so I appreciated having a slightly faster version to work alongside of.

[@wheelchairboy88]

Your clear and concise instructions allowed me to figure this cast-on out after just 5 stitches. Thank you for this video. 😀

[@sheepandstitch]

Awesome to hear that! Thanks for watching :D

[@CrochetLover85]

I specifically look for videos with YOU. You are such a great instructor; so easy to follow for beginners!!! MUCH appreciated!!

[@MultiKarott]

Great teaching video! The only thing I might add is to talk about pulling the yarn up over the top of the first loop before twisting your hand to go through the second loop. I had to watch it over and over to get the right hand movements before I finally understood what I was doing was wrong because I was going under (my natural movement). I love your instructions and your manner of teaching. You are a natural!

[@meispotts2957]

Hi, this is almost like the long tail cast on, I have no problem with it, now I can’t wait to Knit something and see how stretchy it is, thank you and keep more coming 👍

[@sheepandstitch]

Yes! Exactly! It's super similar to the longtail. Give it a go and see how it compares to your regular longtail!

[@tree_tops_]

So straight forward, initially, super daunting, but after you got through showing, wayyyy easier. thank you sm!!!

[@carolstefan7662]

Love your videos! I’ve always used the long tail cast on until a friend of mine told me she always uses the German Twisted cast on. I will probably always use this now! Thank you!

[@KuuhakuTama]

Your videos was easy to follow. Only took me 2 cast-on stitches to get the motion down because you explained it so well

[@natalievanstaden417]

You are THE QUEEN. You can teach anything- it’s a gift. Thank you!!!!

[@abigailmoletti5884]

Thank you! I watched another video on this cast on and was so confused. Your clear directions made so much more sense. It clicked for me right away!

[@suzannamccarthy7392]

Very clear instructions and well filmed so it was very easy to follow. Not sure I'm a knitting wizard but I did manage to get this right away. Thank you for your help!

[@steveknape1461]

I watched your video twice and then got it with my first try! Thank you for your videos, they’ve made learning to knit really easy!

[@sheepandstitch]

I’m so glad to hear that!

[@nourghers]

I love your hand movements, and the way you teach, i made my first scarf following your tutorial and gave it to my mom as a present, thank you ❤ if u could please make a shirt or sock tutorial, that would be amazing 😍👌👍

[@sheepandstitch]

Thank you! I'm planning a sock tutorial for the future!

[@anachacon6637]

I think you are the most awesome teacher love your easy humor and clarity of explanation. I always come back to you for HELP!!! :)

[@sheepandstitch]

Thanks for your kind words 😊

[@karengynes9169]

Watched lots of tutorials on how to do this, got very confused! This one is definitely the best one, easy to follow., thanks.

[@eliseheitmann8000]

Of course this I picked up right away, but seed and moss stitch took me EONS to understand lol! Now that I've figured out seed stitch I feel so silly for not catching on right away. This cast on clicked right away for me, so my brain must work oddly!

[@teresaknitnfool2520]

Your teaching is fantastic. I have watched 3 other people teaching this stitch and I could not get it. I watched yours once and whalla I got it! Thanks!

[@hope2getitdone]

I love the way you explain and demonstrate how to do things. Your videos are my first go to when I need help and I always look to your videos if I need an explanation and demo for stitches! Thanks for all you do!

[@reneeclarke9210]

I've gone through 5 different stretchy cast on videos and didn't get it till i came to the 6th video - yours! Thanks for making it so easy to understand. Kapai!

[@sheepandstitch]

I’m so glad you got it!

[@Roxy2854]

FYI...when searching on KZbin I searched "German Twisted Cast On" and "Twisted Cast On" and your video did not show up. I decided to search "Stretchy Cast On" and your video popped up! I say this because I liked your instructions better then all the others I reviewed. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[@katiesilner6713]

I watched this one in a half times and got it. Now off to make the slouch hat. You are a great teacher.

[@AMC1603]

I love this cast on so much, very satisfying to do all that wacky movement and end up with a clean stitch

[@DM-ps4oc]

This is very easy to understand and very easy to follow along. You are a great teacher!❤

[@lucretiahoverter9486]

Thanks so much, Davina! I'm casting on like a magical wizard now 🧙‍♀️! Great video, lovely production (good camera angles, lighting, audio, and emojis). Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@dariapack8906]

This is my first of your videos. The instructions were very clear, so I figured it out pretty quickly. :) One thing I would like to add, ( I do understand that this video was published last year) is that by using a different colored yarn, your work wouldn't blend into background as easily, which was my only problem.

[@TheMrpiggyboy]

Well. Thank you for this presentation. I am a master spinner I also knit and crochett. I was shopping groceries when a friend of my wifes walked up to me, pulled off off a fingerlees glove/mitten and said ai need you make me a pair of these. The knitting was mediocre but the spinning was level one singles but colourful., since she is the wifes friend I said O.K. So here I am trying to copy what she gave me, This cast on is what I needed. Thanks again.

[@lindanakajo-jaggar8315]

I got it down after a couple of rounds of watching the video. I love your teaching style; very easy to follow. So glad I found you,!

[@debjanichaturvedi6097]

You are a very good teacher 🥰 This is a old video & I hope you are doing great as a professional knitter 👍