Draft
Simple Rib Cast On
A cast on that sets up knit and purl columns for ribbing.
4 min videoGood for ribbing
The simple rib cast on is the thumb cast on, also called the E cast on, adapted for ribbing. Instead of making every loop the same way you alternate: one loop made with the thumb over the yarn, which sits like a knit stitch, and the next made with the thumb under it, which sits like a purl. The alternating loops leave little bars along the edge that line up with the rib.
The edge is very, very stretchy. It has an open, chain-like look, and the bars open up when you pull it. It is not as firm as most other cast ons, so pick it when stretch matters more than a crisp edge.
1 Hold the needle and the yarn
Hold the main needle in your dominant hand with the working yarn held in the same hand. Draw the yarn away from the needle with your other hand.
2 Thumb over the top for a knit
Bring your thumb over the top of the yarn and draw it back around to make a loop on your thumb. Put the needle under the loop and let the loop slide off your thumb onto the needle. That is the plain thumb cast on, and it sits like a knit stitch.
3 Thumb under the bottom for a purl
For the next stitch, come under the bottom of the yarn instead. Bring the yarn around, put the needle over the top of the loop and pick it up. Let it off your thumb and tighten. The yarn now faces the other way, which sits like a purl stitch.
4 Alternate knit and purl
Keep going: thumb over the top for one stitch, under the bottom for the next. The alternating loops make little bars along the edge that line up with the rib.
5 Turn your hand for the purl loop
The purl loop does not want to sit on your thumb by itself. Turn your hand to bring the loop around, pick up the top strand with the needle, and release.
6 Then keep going
Carry on in each direction until you have all your stitches. On the first row, work each stitch as it sits: the loops with a bar at the front are purls, the others are knits.