How to knit the Italian cast on - step-by-step for beginners [+slow motion]

Step-by-step instructions on the invisible and super stretchy Italian cast-on method.
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The Italian cast-on or Italian tubular cast-on creates a super stretchy and totally invisible edge for the 1x1 rib stitch. It's quite the simple method totally suitable for beginners. You can use it for flat projects or projects knit in the round - the repeat will always be the same. You can also use this technique for a 2x2 rib stitch but other than that, it's not all that useful. The tubular cast-on will use this method as a foundation. If you don't want to knit all stitches through back loop in the first row, you have to grab the yarn from below instead of above for a purl stitch.
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[@marykaybedigian6489]

Finally! A clear and sensible tutorial for a potentially confusing method that can lead to a huge mess! Thank you.

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

Glad it helped!

[@bsfb3ar]

Thanks for the advices. I believe you have the most extensive knowledge of knitting techniques in U-Tube. What an amazing teacher

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

Wow, thank you!

[@tl4214]

I like the explanation about casting on straight, then knit onto the circulars. Thank you, Norman, for clear lighting so it is easier to see, for the stitch details and yarn that shows detailed stitches as you teach.

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

yeah, it took a while to optimize the yarn, needles, light to get these results but I am very happy with my setup now :)

[@iamadoyle]

Thanks Norman, after watching half a dozen instructional videos for this I happened across yours and got it straight away. Thank you so much. Clear and simple. I've clicked subscribe so I know where to go when I need help again 🧶💚

[@evelynwald9132]

I used the Italian cast on for a pair of gloves. It made me dizzy, but when you explained the stitch that was made for each cast on, it made so much more sense to me. Now I won’t get lost. Great tutorial as always!

[@myra4223]

Your instructions are so clear! Thanks!!

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

You are such a wealth of knowledge, Norman Thank you. ❤

[@tinaklimbacher5948]

Danke, Norman! Mit dem Video hat‘s bei mir mit dem Italienischen Anschlag endlich geklappt. 🤩👍 wird gleich gespeichert!

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

ah super TIna! Freut mich

[@gratedlentils7123]

fantastic tutorial! I was struggling with it before, but it makes so much sense to me now!

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

awesome! it can be a difficult cast-on...but I feel that once you udnerstand it..it's actually remarkably simple

[@dashaw852]

this tutorial is great and clear!

[@ms_needle3502]

Finally Managed to get it right with your great Video!! So happy 😊

[@Melmaz32]

Thank you for ALL of your videos! I love this cast on ~ you made it easier to understand then the other video tutorials regarding this cast on. I had not seen the alternate way to cast on & knit from the front, now I can see why to knit from the back leg.

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

awesome...the cast on is super easy IMO..but rather complicated to explain in an easy way. So..happy I got through to you! :)

[@katherinelipsich7724]

WOW! I am left-handed clumsy knitter. I have tried to accomplish this cast-on FOREVER! You made it so easy! ❤❤

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

Wonderful! very happy to heat that, Katherine :)

[@loubeylou3819]

Very helpful and makes such a difference to the look... thank you very much!

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

You're so welcome!

[@mayolson2]

Norman you are a very good teacher.

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

thank you so much May!

[@theastewart6721]

Hi Norman. Fantastic tutorial! Thank you for showing both ways along with the slight differences! Very interesting and informative! This is a great resource!🤗🤗

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

I hope it will be, thea :)

[@pernillep9049]

And you can se the difference of the stitches!!!!!🥰🥰🥰😍

[@Anna.GG.]

Dear Norman, thanks so much!!! 👍😊😊

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

You are very welcome, Anna!

[@CoffeeOwlFinland]

Hello from Finland Norman! Thank you for this tutorial. I must try this cast on on my next knitting project.

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

Please do and tell me how it went!

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Thanks !

[@kikiperry8176]

NO sacrificial row?! This is a revelation to me! I learned the tubular stitch in Italy and there was a entirely different technique of uneven cast on with scrap yarn different color, knit, slipstitch, knit, which would be offset by the uneven number of stitches starting the new row in perl!!! After 3 or 4 rows of Knit, or perl slip stitch knit or perI, I then was taught to cut and unravel the sacrificial first row. I am going to try your way and hope it is elastic enough for the leg warmers I want to make as a gift. Thank you

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

well, you CAN achieve the same effect with a provisional cast-on (as you demonstrated). I personally find it much to bothersome and prefer this method - especially as it looks exactly the same :)

[@chilipeprsandi]

Hi Norman, I think I’d like to try this to make a simple little headbands. Thank you 💕💃🏻

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

Go for it! it's a lovely technique for that kind of project

[@lllee3476]

Very helpful! I was wondering why my stitches didn't look right---I missed a couple of crucial techniques. Thanks so much!

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

Glad it was helpful and I could fill in some gaps :)

[@peepers4763]

Need to learn the Italian carat-on in the round. Sounded easy but visual learners need to see it…

[@nrasjid]

Hi Norman. Thank you for the tutorial. The CO is really beautiful. Have you compare Italian vs Norwegian BO in term of stretchiness ? Thank you.

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

No, sorry. I have not. I am planning a video on bind of techniques on my main channel soon, though.

[@tessa5]

Thank you, this is very clear! Am I right in thinking this would be a good cast-on for a sweater knitted top-down in the round, starting with a 1x1 ribbed collar? Have you already done a tutorial for the right way to graft the stitch for joining in the round? I saw a couple of your grafting tutorials, but am quite new to knitting, so I'm not sure which I would have to use. Thank you for your help!

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

i adress it here towards the end of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJrUi2aZrL-qbKc

[@siminaschrafi7197]

Hi Norman i love this video .quick question if you want to cast an even amount of stiches and then start with a 1x1 rib with ktbl .what can you do ?i feel I'm almost getting it but i don't 😅💙

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

i am not sure I understand the question. I mean..the italian cast-on doesn'T create twisted stitches, obviously. but why not just simply knit across? i mean..i haven't tried this yet, but you could, of course, manually twist each knit stitch before your ktbl it. Not sure how this will look like. as an alternative, you can also start with a provisional cast on. knit two rows of twisted stockinette stitch across, fold the little piece in half, and slip the stitches on both needles to one needle and start your twisted rib. (nimble-needles.com/stitches/how-to-knit-the-tubular-cast-on/)

[@johnkcrossman]

Norman. Thanks for the great video. At the end you say you will have to “graft on one stitch” to join in the round. Does this refer to your usual joining technique of slipping the last stitch onto the first and then essentially casting one off? Or is it some other technique?

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

no, you actually need to graft a stitch. I am reasonably sure I did a tutorial once where I showed this towards the end...but I forgot where...lol!

[@Moonbeamglider]

HELP Norman, I’m very experienced but any cast on winding around fingers is very difficult for me. Tried all day with your good video, is there another way to make the Italian cast on please ? Ended up casting on cable method which looks nice but it’s a neckline so focal !

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

sorry for catching that so late. I am not really sure I can help you there because that's all I ever do :(

[@cinthias87]

Hi Norman, i have a lot of space between each stitch. I didn't hear you mention anything about using a smaller needle. Seems like I'm going to have to. Was wondering if this ever happened to you or if yoi have any recommendations. Thanks!

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

well, this really depends a bit on your individual tension, gauge of your projects, etc. But yes, a lot of people find that going down a needle size helps a bit.

[@tworzywomiekkie]

Is it will the same when Im going to do 2x2 rib ?

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

no, sadly not

[@jsnsholle]

you said turn clockwise but it looks like you turned counterclockwise just verifying if we match what the video shows

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

as a rule of thumb what i show is always right, what i say is sometimes wrong >.< I have a left right weakness and I frequently mess things like this up. it's all one big mush in my had. sorry for the confusion.

[@Maighread.]

How do you then join in round?

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

I recommend knitting across one or two rows flat and then join in the round. Graft a stitch to hide the gap.

[@Maighread.]

@@nimbleneedlestwo Thank you!

[@Maighread.]

@@nimbleneedlestwo Ok so I learned that in order to join in round I need to cast on one extra stich, is it the same rule for italian cast on? Sorry for all those questions, I'm totally new to knitting and just trying to learn from your wonderful tutorials ;D

[@bsfb3ar]

Norman why you tubular cast on do even while I saw other looks like bitted by a rat. What is your tips? Thanks for sharing all you works like it is cut by a knife every stitches like made by machine.

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

hm...no idea really but going down a needle size or two really helps!

[@fys9110]

Прочитать слова можно и в книге. Зачем нужен Ваш бесполезный ролик???

[@nimbleneedlestwo]

if you prefer reading, I would be quite interested to hear why you are on youtube anyway. But kindly understand that some people learn better with moving pictures while other prefer books. That's why there alway should be both :)