Very Stretchy Cast-on for Double and Single Ribbing by Tillybuddy

[@therealmallorybear]

Actual demonstration starts at 3:50 I love this cast on but can never remember how to do it when I need it, so I come back to this video all the time. Thank you for taking the time to show us! :)

[@aprilweber7771]

What a great cast-on! Thank you. BTW, about the stretched stitches problem: Between every 2 stitches you will either find a very tight connection or a very loose/long connection. It's the slack/loose connection (looks like a single strand) that causes the problem. On the first row after the cast-on, I tugged the left-needle stitch perl-wise using the right needle whenever I saw the single strand between stitches, and this removed the slack. My cast-on has no sloppy looking stitches now.

[@Tillybuddy]

Hi I transfer the cast-on stitches onto DPNs immediately and join in the round for the first row as I can then weave in the end to make a almost invisible join. Some people prefer to knit a row or 2 (or more) flat first and then join the gap afterwards to prevent getting the cast-on row twisted. This is the same for other cast-ons too so it's personal preference and depends on what you find easier.

[@mizsherm4352]

Thank you!!! Over 50 years knitting and FINALLY found this marvelous cast on. You're a gem!

[@rendmendecclesiastes3728]

This is literally the only cast on I ever use any more for stretchy edges. I keep coming back to this video! It's a great cast on for wool diaper covers! Thank you for sharing!

[@Tillybuddy]

Hi glad you like my version, you are the first to tell me they've seen anything similar, there's probably nothing totally new! I've also used this without swinging the needle under the yarn to get a loop below each pair of stitches and I think it might be a good for lace. I came up with the swing to get rid of the loop under the pairs of stitches. I've done lots of variations with or without swinging the needle round but this version seemed to be the most useful.

[@fanciflower]

Amazing, I kept coming up with three loops at first til I enlarged the video and saw where you were pulling the yarn thru, (Im a bit sloooow), but now I am just zooming along! It makes the cast on so quick and perfect for my sons Christmas pullover. Thank you so much!

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks very much, the yarn is a Regia 4 ply sock yarn knit on 2mm needles which is why its tight. I think tightly knit socks wear better and are more comfortable.

[@ritasalazar5996]

omg, i thank you so much for sharing. i just made be a hat using your cast on method and now making my darling husband fingerless mittens. you made this fun for me. now im on the bind off. thanks again

[@micheleswindall7408]

I just love this stretchy 2x2 rib cast on. It took me a few times to master it but it helped when I held the right needle like a pencil instead of my usual way, like a knife! And it looks so nice. I also found that holding the needle tips close together on the first row after the cast on eliminated any unevenness or spaces between stitches. Thank you for the video.

[@vanessawhippo6964]

I'm so happy to have discovered this cast on. I love it! Thank you for devising and sharing it.

[@marilynjonas19]

Nice results and so much simpler and faster than any other 2x CO that I've tried. Thank you so much for posting this!

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks for the feedback, I use it nearly all the time for socks too

[@Pammigliore]

this is the only cast-on i use now for socks, mitts & hats & pretty much anything with a rib. Thanks!

[@MsLadyLucifer]

I have been toying with this idea for years and years, trying to achieve this very effect because the cast on row annoyed me so with it's lack of stretchiness, but how to do it eluded me. Your answer is brilliant... simple and easy, therefore simply brilliant, thank you.

[@RuthiesXStitch]

Thanks for this video. Made my 64 cast-on stitches really fast.

[@carolmcrobb1643]

This is the best rib cast on I have used. Thank you for posting it.

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks and no problem, there is a short version of the cast-on on my YT channel too

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks very much, and yes I do count the cast-on row when counting up rows if I'm following a pattern

[@drnili]

I just tried this cast on for a ribbed scarf. It took me a little while to get the hang of it and then It was clear sailing. I love the way it turned out, just like you said it would: stretchy!! .

[@Tillybuddy]

For 1x1 ribbing, it looks better when started with a knit stitch. For 2x2 ribbing it wouldn't matter as each pair is either both knit or both purl - I should have thought of it so thanks for the question. As the cast on is in pairs and each cast on stitch in the pair is different it doesn't look so good for unequal ribs, eg 1x2 or 1x3 in my opinion. You could do some swatches to see the difference but do a few rows to see the shape of the cast on edge develop properly. Hope that helps

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks for the ref, I’ll look it up. I’ve not seen my ‘Very stretchy cast-on...’ or the ‘Twisted cable cast-on’ anywhere (not the same as the usual cable cast-on). I worked these out and did the videos to share with other knitters but I know not much is new so in the video notes I ask people to let me know if they’ve seen them before. I also say this on the long version of the ‘Very stretchy cast-on’. Re the ‘slip knot’ cast-on, I show 2 ways I do it but I never claimed I created it.

[@heatermcca]

Very much like this simple cast on and after a single viewing have used it to cast on a sweater in a bulky yarn, which doesn't seem to want to lend itself nicely to a tubular cast on for a 2x2 rib. I'm in the third row and as stated in the video, it's really coming together and shaping up nicely now in what may be a minor miracle of fiber and sticks. Thanks for posting this!

[@deniseskea8847]

This is an excellent technique. I have just cast on the 1/1 rib for a baby's newspaper boy hat. And yes, what appears to be an uneven edge resolves itself after a couple of rounds. Taking heed of your comment about working the first row at the tips of the needles, I knitted my first row on straight needles, then put the stitches on dpns and joined into a round. I know I will use this technique for socks and other items requiring a stretchy cast on. Many thanks

[@Chatknit]

Thank you for sharing this genius cast on, I just tried to use a crochet needle with this cast on and found it to be a little easier for me. Thank you again I have a feeling this is going to be my main cast on when ever I work ribbon

[@zebstriped]

Excellent tutorial, and method also works well for a K2, P1 rib. Thanks!

[@georgiafl8285]

I love this extended version of the cast on! I like to know why and how. You also show how the fabric should look when the technic is perfected. Thank you.

[@relenneddenneler6540]

If the first stitch has to be Knit, how do you use this cast on when knitting in the round 1x1 ribbing?

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks for the feedback, Ive got a short version of this on my YT channel also

[@contadinaK]

Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge! I'm going to work this cast on right now with your Heart Head Hat, and I'm very excited to be learning something new and useful!

[@suzannemortimer9752]

Oh this cast on is great and so simple, thank you.

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks for the feedback and glad you like it. I was probably being a bit over careful trying to break down each step as this was my first video but I do as you say too to speed it up and streamline the movements. I also have a short version on my YT channel with just the essential elements which shows a more streamlined version of the cast-on.

[@DandL1961]

Thank you so much for your ingenuity and being willing to share it. Can't wait to try this technique Linda

[@Tillybuddy]

Ah I see what you mean. In the video I put the 2nd stitch on purlwise so you place the tip of the left needle into the loop of the 2nd stitch on the left side of the stitch. You can also bring the tip of the right needle round the front of the 2nd stitch and pick up through the loop on the right side (knitwise). I do both and find it only makes a small difference so do whichever you like best

[@PalettePC]

Brilliant!! I love casting on two stitches at a time. Thank you.

[@Tillybuddy]

It depends what finish I want and what the item is. If you want a very stretchy cast off there is 'Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off'. I often use an invisible sewn bind off (similar to kitchener stitch) on some things as its neat and stretchy enough. I have not found an exact match yet for this cast off.

[@Tillybuddy]

@BeStrixed Yes, you can cast-on quite tightly or firmly but it stays stretchy. I came up with this as I wanted a more stable version of a simple loop type cast-on. Glad it works for you.

[@MargayRoberge]

This is an amazing cast on! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

[@sockwidowmaker]

Can't believe I've only just come across this cast on method for socks. I love it, does what it says on the tin!!!!

[@Tillybuddy]

Hi on the first row you need to keep the working needles close together to stop the yarn between the stretching out and tightening up the next stitch. This is the same as for the standard backward loop cast on. Hope that helps

[@kellikienker7898]

Love this cast on! Very easy to learn and thank you so much for the detailed video!

[@leilarosistones]

Thank you for sharing this cast on method. I think this will be my preferred method from now on as I tend to do lots of small items hats gloves etc.

[@SheilaHorseman]

I'm a bit late to the party, having picked up knitting again after a 40 year gap! So I'm very pleased to find this method, as I'm about to start making a pair of top down socks using aran weight cotton and 25cm circular needles. The cuff will be on 4.5mm needles and the body in 5mm needles. Should I cast on one size down, namely 4mm, or use the 4.5mm ones? I'll be casting on using regular straight needles then transferring to the mini-circular. Thanks for the video, which is very clear, and having the ability to slow it down is really helpful.

[@yolo22]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! i was searching for a stretchy cast on for a hat i'm about to start. this is awesome! i'm going to give it a shot. thank you so much for sharing this technique. i will look at your bind off vid too.

[@knittingknut]

Beautiful. Ive been doing Jeny's surprisingly stretchy slip knot cast on which is just as stretchy but is a real pain to do -- it's hard to make the slip knots line up properly and the first row is really hard to knit because of the way the slip knots are aligned on the needle. I can't wait to try this new (to me) cast on. Thank yo for making this video.

[@lorico1849]

Agree with you there. Good and stretchy, but cast on 60, and I get a real mess and the working yarn twists.

[@Tillybuddy]

@mskittys3 I always start knitting in the round on the first row so the first stitch you knit into is the first one you cast on which has the tail attached. So the working yarn is spanning the gap between the last cast-on stitch and the fist stitch of the first round . If you knit one row first before joining in the round you would knit into the last stitch you cast on which is the one with the working yarn attached. Hope that makes sense

[@Dragonpetal]

Thanks so much for the cast on! I just tried it out on my first pair of real socks. And it works fantastic!

[@irenegoh6465]

This looks like a GREAT cast-on, I always have trouble with the cast-on or cast-off being too tight despite trying many other "stretchy" methods. My only other suggestion for this video is to show how to use this for the socks as you have shown; they look very seamless and perfectly joined at the top which I can' quite achieve with the suggestion you made to Heather about joining in the round on the second row. Would love to see how you joined in the round in the video to make such a perfect joint in the socks you showed! Thank you :)

[@Tillybuddy]

@MsLadyLucifer Thanks for the feedback and pleased you find it easy

[@Tillybuddy]

@ragdollyallie Thanks - glad you like it, I use it most of the time now for sock cuffs and I like that when knitting in the round the join is invisible.

[@sadegur]

This is great.....really very stretchy....I use it for mittens all the time! Thank you.

[@Tillybuddy]

No, there are no slipped stitches on the first row so if you are doing 1x1 ribbing its all k1, p1 across the row and 2x2 ribbing is k2, p2. Glad you like it.

[@tashaluv2]

I like the looks of this, and I will give it a try, thank you. Tutorials are a great way to learn anything, and I would much rather see how something is done than have to read about it.

[@Tillybuddy]

No problem and hope it works OK for you

[@yolo22]

goodness me that is brilliant! thank you so much for creating this and sharing a super easy to follow tutorial. wow!

[@lindahaddon]

Thank you thank you very much .. I love the look of the result and off course how stretchy it is ... definitely have to try this on my next project!

[@Tillybuddy]

@muppinstuff Thanks for the feedback, its great to know this works for other people

[@tribblewing]

I've been looking for a stretchy cast-on method and this one manages to have a natural flow that's not too confusing, it always ensures an even number of stitches per row cause you're casting on two at a time, I can tell the edge won't be as tight as traditional long tail cast on, and finally, I don't have to worry about my tail being too short or long cause it doesn't eat up the tail I've set aside.

[@tribblewing]

My first row was very strange. I knit all on the first row, and by the fourth stitch of my cast on, I would get stitches that had more than one strand of yarn (like a triangle of yarn) sticking from them. It's hard to explain what I mean. But I ignored it and kept going, and once I was done with a row, it turned out ok. Has anyone else experienced this?

[@Tillybuddy]

tribblewing Hi, in my opinion this cast-on looks best when doing 1x1 or 2x2 ribbing right from the first row after the cast-on and would not be my first choice for plain knitting/stockinette. I don't understand your description without being able to see it but often the first rows of any cast-on can look a bit wonky until there are a few rows to give it some structure.

[@tribblewing]

Tillybuddy I did 4 rows of garter before starting the rib. It looks great actually! I'm learning rib, so I felt more comfortable doing it in garter first.

[@BeStrixed]

By far the best cast on ever! It's a bit fussy with circs, but doesn't take many practice tries to get it. Well worth it. I think the loopyness of it requires a firmer cast on, much like one would need for a loop co, and careful knitting as instructed to not stretch it out. Best ever! Thanks for sharing, Tillbuddy :^)

[@Tillybuddy]

@stromasdragon Glad you find it useful. I think drawn instructions are hard to do well but still photos with instructions may work, I will let you know if I can do it.

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks and good luck with the top down socks

[@Tillybuddy]

@lori1551 Thanks, I only have one video for a cast off/bind off on youtube at the moment but I have a couple of others I am working on. You could also look at Jeny Staiman's 'surprisingly stretchy bind off' - there is a youtube video by Cat Bordhii.

[@Tillybuddy]

Thanks for the feedback, it's very useful, its hard to know whats best as people have different opinions. Like most people on YT I'm an amateur and this was one of my first videos so still learning. I link to the shorter video of this cast on from within this video if people want to replay without the talk so I may repeat that in future. You can also watch with the sound off to replay which I also do with some videos!

[@Tillybuddy]

You can join the same way as for any cast-on - see knittinghelpdotcom advanced videos for 3 videos on joining in the round. I'm not sure I understand the problem but the method of cast-on shouldn't affect how you would join the round. Maybe you just need to turn the knitting round after casting on so the needle with the yarn is in your right hand. With this cast-on, I cast on to one needle first and transfer to dpns before joining the round and knitting the first row - hope this helps.

[@IRNBRUFOX]

Hello thanks for putting this up. I am about to make some leg warmers and wanted a stretchy ribbing. I totally think you should make a diagram for off-line use. My mum would love this for her sock but she not on line. Nor do I have the skill to relay this info. Great video I am certainly going to check you other ones out!

[@watchgoose]

I am now using it for everything as it prevents edge curl at the bottom - bless you! If I need one more stitch, I grab a loop between the first two stitches, pull through, twist down and around, and put it on the right needle so that it becomes the first stitch. it works.

[@Tillybuddy]

Glad it works for you. If you need one more stitch (ie an odd number) you can also cast on one too many and then drop the excess stitch from the end when you get to the end of the first row.

[@Tillybuddy]

I haven't been able to devise a perfect cast-off match for this cast-on yet and I only have one cast-off video which is called 'Stretchy swing needle bind off (combination style)' on my YT channel. Cat Bordhi has a video of 'Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind-off' which is as it says is also very stretchy

[@trish3724]

Got it the first time😄love the look of the knit 2 purl 2 so happy to have found your video

[@nadiag3712]

Hello. How can I cast on an uneven number of strictes using this method?

[@Tillybuddy]

Hi glad you like - I also have a short version of this on my YT channel for reference

[@Tillybuddy]

No problem and glad you like it

[@Tillybuddy]

Yes, in the video I explain (at about 7.32) that its important to knit the first row with needle tips close together to prevent the yarn stretching out between the stitches. This is the same as for a backward loop cast-on for example. As in other crafts, not all techniques come easy to everyone first time and some take practice. In the end though you don't have to like or use this cast on - each to their own opinion.

[@anniepower8549]

It would be clearer if you showed this on bigger needles as I can't see whether you put the left needle into the front or back of the new stitch loop when transferring it onto the left needle.

[@duffa65]

Agree, that last step (through the front or back of loop) needs to be demonstrated more slowly, just like the previous steps.

[@miazon]

It's through the front.

[@jvhayward]

I like this. I’m trying to do my first socks. I just find it hard to remember to go under the feeding yarn each time to before putting it on the needle.

[@itscrisbro]

not even a minute into the video and already in love

[@tm13tube]

Nevermind my question. I can see the answer in the video. Thanks, again. Brilliant!

[@spankses]

now THAT was clever and so very fast to get the hang of! thanks....

[@crochazyrose3023]

Hello I am new at knitting and have tried the Italian cast on and found it a bit difficult . This is like the Italian cast on but working 2 needles which I find in my cast a neater way as I had willy nilly cast on with the single needle . Thanks soo much for posting this video and sharing ! lol I am also left handed which made it more difficult also

[@BeStrixed]

@Tillybuddy Well, it's truly excellent. I've not been a fan of 2X2 ribbing, but this is so beautiful, I've reconsidered ;^) I knit both continental and English, and can't figure out how to do it continental, haha. I'm sure it can be done. I'm loving your matching bind off, too! I've never liked *any* of the bind offs I've tried -- and I've tried them all -- and yours is fabulous.

[@christinebaker2902]

Thankyou , i have never seen this method before !!

[@LynnFrederickson]

Very clever!! Thank you. I am not sure it will work for what I'm doing but I sure will give it a try...Thank you

[@karenking9649]

I can't wait to try this! Thank You!

[@lisawintler-cox1641]

You are really good at explaining the whys and wherefores and then creating visuals that demonstrate what you've been talking about. Especially the bit where you showed the few rows at one end of your knitting and then more rows at the other end. I wonder if the bit of yarn between the sets at the beginning could somehow be used to create a decorate edge? Hint, hint--another unvention?

[@TalesofmyPluto]

Thank you for this video, do you have a 'very' stretchy cast off video too

[@tonyao2235]

I've just finished this CO for 2x2 ribbing for a fair isle vest I'm knitting for my son, after watching your video several times a few days ago (only because I knit continental style and had to get used to using my right hand to feed the yarn), and I must say I got the most lovely 2x2 ribbing I've ever done since I started knitting months ago. Your instructions are clear and easy to follow, and many thanks for a great video. I also love the short-version video where you showed a quicker way, and your tip about placing the RH needle close to the yarn to prevent an unwanted loop was very useful also. Though I love the tubular cast on for 1x1 ribbing, it doesn't look very nice for 2x2, so I'm going to try this for that also. Will this work for k3p2 ribbing? And I just subscribed. Best wishes.

[@sabrahardy]

If i were to create ir wrap a loop of a second color around the base of the first stitch then using a tapestry needle take the tail and in invisibly put it through the working second color yarn hiding the join. I could use this as a two color cast on for Brioche i really hate the Italian cast on do you think it would work?

[@Tillybuddy]

Hi that's a bit of a conundrum for me since am right handed. I tried to knit the first row left handed to see if it made a difference but I couldn't really do it and because I can't visualise how you knit I'm not sure if you need to reverse the cast on. I would suggest you try the cast on as shown and in reverse if you can do that and see what it looks like after knitting a few rows. The technique is listed in my projects on Ravelry with some photos that may help for comparison.

[@KnotsofLove]

Hi! I love this method. Is there a written version of this fabulous method?

[@Bethintx1]

Fantastic!

[@tinapout430]

Looks good but I'm picking up 2 stitches on the pull through for the last stitch. What am I doing wrong.

[@stitchy_linn]

Very cool! Thank you for an excellent video tutorial.

[@Islandflower66]

I am working a pattern for calf high socks. It states to use your link for the cast on. You state to knit that first stitch but the pattern says to p1, k1. Do I need to just knit the first stich for that first round and cont with the pattern on 2nd rnd? This is a great cast on but not sure how to start my p1, k1 ribbing. Thanks for a great new cast on and for any help. ❤😊

[@SallyQ-f7d]

Love this cast on! How do you join this cast on in the round? Thank you!

[@MoiTheFuss]

tried to click on the caption for the short version, but the caption is under the play bar so everytime I move my mouse near the caption, regardless of screen settings, the play bar pops on top and blocks it.

[@dianacleary9876]

I used this method to cast on for the back of my sweater which has 2X2 ribbing and it worked perfectly, I loved the look of it when I finished the back and it had great stretch. However, the front of the sweater has a cable stitch that starts from the bottom of the sweater, it goes for 20 stitches before the ribbing starts. This method of cast on left strings across the cable portion. I am not sure what to do now. Do you have any suggestions?

[@normalisoy1561]

Do you have a solution for top down knitted socks that are too tight at the cuff edge? I've gotten to the heel part on both socks and will rip it all out if necessary but I wondered if I can salvage what I have by removing the cast on edge and redoing it looser. Thanks for any help.

[@laurietitus6827]

How do you join in the round after this?

[@sgc0]

This method is amazing! Thank you!

[@Rhonda_C]

I love the 'contracted' edge your very stretchy cast-on gives to my 2x2 ribbing. I've searched extensively for a bind-off that gives a similar level of stretch, but with the same 'contracted' edge for 2x2 ribbing, but it doesn't seem to exist. The best compromise I can find is 'Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Cast off'. In the meantime, are you any closer to uploading your demonstration of stretchy cast-off for 2x2 ribbing? Would love to see it. I also hope you might demonstrate this bind-off for

[@keirseyeforvintage]

After casting on can this be continued in the round?