Draft
Two Color Italian Cast On
The Italian cast on in two colours, for a two-colour rib edge.
5 min videoGood for colorwork, 1x1 rib
The two color Italian cast on is the Italian tubular cast on worked with two strands of different colors. The edge comes out invisible, as if the fabric begins on its own, and the stitches are made in pairs, one of each color, so the first row of one by one rib is already set up in two colors.
It is the cast on for two color brioche and for double knitting, where it gives a seamless edge that reads one color on the front and the other on the back. It suits any ribbing where you want a lot of stretch. The edge is wider than most and very elastic.
The slip knot you start with is not a stitch. It drops off after a couple of rows, so do not count it. Finish with a thumb loop to secure the last pair, which leaves an odd stitch count and a symmetrical rib.
1 Tie the two colors together
Take a strand of each color and tie them together in a slip knot as if they were one yarn. Place the knot on the needle.
2 Separate the strands
Pull the two strands apart with your index finger and thumb, one color on each.
3 Over, under, through the middle
Come over the top of the strands and back down under, so the needle swings behind, then come up through the middle. That makes the first stitch.
4 Over the front and back around
Now come over the front, back under, through the middle and over the top, then bring the needle back underneath the bottom strand. That makes the second stitch.
5 Tighten the pair
Snug the two stitches down. They come in pairs, one of each color. The slip knot is not a stitch. Let it fall off after a couple of rows and do not count it.
6 Then keep going
Over the back, through the middle, over the top, through the middle, over the top and under the bottom. Once your hands know it, it goes fast.
7 Finish with a hitch
To secure the last pair, put one loop on the needle with your thumb. That leaves an odd number of stitches and a symmetrical rib. Most patterns allow for it.