Draft
Tilly Buddy Stretchy Cast On for Ribbing
A stretchy cast on for ribbing that looks like the ribbing continues to the edge.
3 min videoGood for ribbing, sock cuffs
The Tilly Buddy cast on is a stretchy cast on for 1x1 and 2x2 ribbing. Each stitch is made by wrapping the yarn over both needles, pulling a loop through and swinging the bottom loop around to the other side before it goes on the needle.
That swing tightens things up, so there is no lacy loop along the bottom edge, but the edge stays very stretchy. Knitted up in 1x1 rib it has a small ridge that follows the ribbing, stretches to nearly half again its length, and bounces back well. It behaves the same way over 2x2 rib.
Keep the stitches loose enough to move along the needle. If you start from a slip knot and need an even count, a hitch at the end evens it out.
1 Wrap the yarn over both needles
Start with a slip knot on the main needle. Bring the yarn over the main needle, place the working needle next to the knot, and bring the yarn back around over the working needle.
2 Bring the needle through
Bring the working needle through. You now have two loops that face opposite ways, one on top and one underneath.
3 Swing the bottom loop around
Take the loop on the bottom all the way around to the other side, behind the stitch, and place it onto the main needle.
4 Tighten, but not too much
Tighten the stitch down. Not too tight. You still want to be able to move the yarn along the needle, so loosen up if it is gripping.
5 Then keep going
Yarn over the top and over the working needle, back through, swing the loop around the other way, place it on the main needle, pull out some slack and tighten.
6 Add a hitch if needed
If you started with a slip knot and need an even number of stitches, put a hitch on the end to even them out. Otherwise carry on from where you are.