Which cast-on

This is my first cardigan and first stranding project. Which cast-on method should I use?
Thanks.
Sue

Permalink Reply by Genia on April 5, 2009 at 10:28am: I think I'm going to use the cable cast on. That way I won't about measuring for a long tail.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marta on April 5, 2009 at 11:12am: I used the long tail cast on. It's my favorite. I think you could use whichever one you like best. There is a turned under hem on the body and sleeves so you don't have to worry about whether the cast on looks perfect! Yaaay Alison!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on April 5, 2009 at 11:22am: I prefer the Cable Caston, but the longtail caston will work just as well. I prefer the Cable Caston because it is just a bit more elastic than the longtail method.

Here are some resources for different cast on techniques:

Cast On
http://community.knitpicks.com/profiles/blogs/1984936:BlogPost:21670
http://community.knitpicks.com/notes
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/cast-on; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by DebbieMN on April 6, 2009 at 3:42am: Hi Sue,
I'm probably going to use the knitted cast on. I like it a lot and it's easy since it's just like knitting! I haven't made many sweaters so this will be a great project for me. I have made a couple of baby sweaters. I took a class and made one adult sweater but I didn't have a good instructor. It was my first sweater and she didn't follow the pattern so I couldn't follow along or work ahead of each class. She also fixed any mistakes so I didn't learn from my mistakes either. So, I consider this my first adult cardigan too. This will be a great learning experience and I like that I can work at my own pace. I'm very slow and I am not faithful to one project.
I can't wait to get my yarn!
Debbie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by knitastitch on April 6, 2009 at 7:48am: When doing a hemmed project, I sometimes use an open caston. Then wh en I've the same number of rows on the body as on the hem, I knit the open cast on edge in with the body ones, thus finishing the hem. It's neat and clean.

Also, by always leaving a long tail on the end of the cast-on row, I've what's needed to sew a seam, decreasing the number of ends that have to be worked in later.

However, when doing any other cast on, I usually use a larger needle to prevent any pulling in, keeping the edge more elastic.

I've not started this project yet. I think I've nailed down the colors I'll be using so will be ordering yarns this week. Heck, I like one of them so much I plan to order extra so there's enough for a shawl. Ideally, wish I could have all the the colors, in all the blends, all on a wall so I could just pull what I want, when I want.... just like some designers enjoy. I can dream, can't I?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Genia on April 6, 2009 at 8:36am: OH!! I hadn't thought of this one! Great idea too! I've always liked the finished look of the knitted in the cast on.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelley Petkun on April 6, 2009 at 10:44am: Please pay attention to this note!!

Your cast-on must be very flexible since you will be sewing (tacking) it down later. A cabled cast-on will be too rigid. A loose, long tail cast on will work.

I am going to use a Provisional Cast On so I can tack down the live stitches later. There is a Tutorial on the Crochet, Provisional Cast On in our Tutorial Site.

I am going to use the Traditional Provisional Cast-On.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on April 6, 2009 at 12:03pm: Because of an earlier post, I was considering trying a provisional cast on... another first for me. :-) Thanks for the links!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by farmmom on April 6, 2009 at 12:49pm: Will the backwards loop cast on be flexible enough do you think? I've used it for scarves but haven't really checked he stretchyness. Or maybe I should try the crochet provisional as well. Can we do a provisional and then after kniting far enough, just pick up the live stitches and knit together with the working stitches? That is how I have done hemmed socks with a picot edge.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by momknits on September 11, 2009 at 9:24am: I'm just starting this sweater, in fact I'm still on the swatch & will try to post photos later. I'm planning on using a provisional cast-on. I want to have a picot edge on the bottom of the body & the sleeve cuffs. In a prior sweater I knit the first 10 rounds on needles 2 sizes smaller, then I think I changed to the larger needles & did the k2tog, yo round, then 10 rounds. When you knit the inside hem together with the body the bottom or cuffs don't flip because of the foundation knitting being smaller stitches. I hope this make sense to you all.
Michelle in WI; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Janet Carroll on September 16, 2009 at 8:34am: My mom knit a picot-edged sweater for me, and she used the same size needle for the hem as for the front. I would think it would be difficult to put together. Do you plan to knit the hem in place as you go?

Janet in Appleton; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by momknits on September 17, 2009 at 3:32pm: Yes, I was planning on knitting the hem as I go. I made a sweater with this kind of edge & went down 2 needle sizes for the inside hem so it wouldn't flare out & it worked beautifully. Also for this CLC sweater I worked up a swatch on size 5 KP acrylic needles (which I love) with a 6.5 stitches to the inch count. I have the Sweater Workshop book by Jacqline Fee(I hope I'm spelling her name right) & used the EZ gauge page to get the cast-on stitches. I think this is going to work out great. I am loving the yarn alot. Love the feel of the wool & the feel of the CC silk shimmer.; ▶ Reply to This