Susan Reishus Foolproof Circular Cast On

For knitters, I wanted to share a cast on I came up with earlier this year, that is very helpful and time saving. I named it the Susan Reishus Cast On, as the description of it would make for a very lengthy name. When doing a circular cast on, some find it a difficult and frustrating and often times lengthy process. This should be able to be accomplished in about 30 secs. to three minutes, and has received alot of accolades. It is here for you to share, as long as you put my name with it and honor the copyright, as I am planning to use it later for publication in my writing and design, but wanted to share it in the interim.


Susan Reishus Cast On (Circular):
2006 (This is an easy technique and fairly foolproof. If it takes a second attempt, then it is quick and easy to retry. It is based on a tatting needle cast on I tried quite awhile back and you can use either tool, but I will provide instructions for a crochet hook, as that is what you probably have around and have more size control with. If not, one could even use a dpn, and tape the end of the tail to the far/non-working end of the needle).

Take a crochet hook in the size of your intended knitting needle, or perhaps only slightly smaller in diameter if you don't have the correct one. Starting with the WRONG END of the crochet hook, cast on, preferably with a Long Tail Cast On (or E Cast On), your desired number of stitches. (Long Tail Cast On provides a ridge to grab and help ease over the tool).

Take the tail left over from the cast on, and put the middle of the length into the groove of the hook (or tape onto the non-working end of the dpn). Pull the crochet hook end through your cast on stitches, turning the CO ridge to slide over the hook/slitted portion of the crochet hook. You can grab and hold the cast on ridge slightly, if needed to ease over the hook. If perchance you lose the tail in the middle of the stitches, a very small steel hook kept nearby can be used to go in and retrieve the tail. (If you grabbed a hook with a wide thumb indention, you may have to cast on more loosely, or ease the cast on over the crochet hook indentation).

Take two double pointed needles in the size required, and slip half of the stitches on each needle and pull the tail to close the circle most of the way. Begin knitting your pattern as suggested, adding the additional dpn's as you knit, so that by the first knitted round, you have your full 4 double pointeds (or 3, if a US set), or magic loop needles, placed appropriately, and then pull the tail closed, or if you choose, take a small tapestry needle and go back through the loops a second time (not really necessary).

If perchance you goof up the first time, it will nearly always work the second time. If you have to pull it out, it is simpler to just pull on it and cut off the initial circle to start over. This takes only minutes, versus a long time and repeated attempts with other techniques.

I hope you like it! It is fun creating easier ways to accomplish something, and should save immeasureable time and frustration! Let me know how it works for you!
Copyright Susan A. Reishus 2006/7

You may share this link, or if you want to share it in any other form, must write and ask permission to elationrelation@aol.com


Blessings,
Susan A. Reishus