Easy tubular cast-on alternative

A step-by-step tutorial on how to knit a tubular cast-on variation that is so much easier. No more twisting!

There’s probably no single video over on YouTube where I get more comments on than the tubular cast-on. So many people are glad they finally managed to do it using my instructions. Yet, that is still a testament to the fact how hard it can be. It’s so easy to twist the stitches of that first row. Here’s a very easy alternative that creates a near-identical edge:

This method is, if you ask me, the only way to do a tubular cast-on in the round (see below). On top of it, it’s quite a bit less stretchy. Now, this might sound like a con but I actually believe it’s a pro. So often when you use the tubular cast-on, you have to go down a needle size and even then it often flares out. This version is quite a bit more stable.

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Instructions: How to knit the easy tubular cast-on alternative

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This technique will creative a very invisible edge for a 1x1 rib stitch. It's not intended to be used for other knitting stitch patterns. Without alterations, the edge will not be very stretchy.

Active Time 2 minutes

Total Time 2 minutes

Materials

• Any yarn works. I am using the Schachenmayr Catania Grande in this tutorial

Tools

• Any type of knitting needle. I am using the Knitter's Pride Dreamz here

Instructions

1. Start by casting on HALF the stitches you require using a standard longtail cast-on around two needles +1 stitch.
   E.g. you need 20 stitches. Cast-on 11.
   
   
2. Remove the second knitting needle and turn your work around.
   
3. Start the first row by slipping the first stitch.
   
4. Purl one stitch.
   
5. Next, guide the right knitting needle around the cast-on, diving in from below.
   
6. Wrap the yarn around the needle counter-clockwise (so as normal).
   
7. Pull the resulting loop all the way through to the front.
   Essentially you are just creating a yarn over here. You just fetch it from below.
   
8. Repeat steps 4-7 until the end of the row, ending with a purl stitch. Always purl one stitch and then do a yarn over from below.
   
9. Turn around and work across in a 1x1 rib stitch. Start with a knit stitch, followed by a purl stitch, etc.
   

As I said, the resulting edge is not especially stretchy. In fact, one could even call it a little bit solid. If you need a little bit of extra give, you can opt to do a 2-needle cast-on instead. This version of the longtail cast-on is structurally the same but quite a bit stretchier since you deconstruct the technique using an auxiliary needle.

Tubular cast-on alternative in the round

As I said in the introduction, this cast-on truly shines in the round. If you have ever tried to join an Italian cast-on (it forms the basis for every tubular cast-on), then you probably know how virtually impossible it is. The edge is constantly twisting to the point where you cannot find the stitches anymore. It’s just too unstable. This method fixes the problem. Here’s how.

Step 1: Cast on half the stitches you require plus one around two needles and then distribute to your double-pointed knitting needles or circulars.

Step 2: Join in the round using this technique.

Step 3: Begin the repeat with a yarn over from below (just like before). So you are NOT slipping the first stitch.

Step 4: Purl one.

Step 5: Continue alternating between yarn over from below and purl one to the end of the round.

Step 6: Knit across with *k1, p1*.

Attention: When you are knitting flat, you end up purling all those yarnovers from below. When you knit in the round, you will obviously have to knit them since you never turned the project around. But other than that and the fact you are not slipping the first stitch, it’s the exact same process. Try it out and you’ll see!

Anyway, that was my tubular cast-on alternative. Comment below if you still have any questions