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Italian Tubular Cast On

This form of casting on is a way to obtain a very elastic cast on edge in a rib pattern. The technique consists of the cast-on row and two set up rounds. This gives you a classic 1x1 rib pattern.

In the following I will show you how to achieve this result. You will need a short circular needle or set of double pointed needles.

 

There is also a way to twist your stitches in a third set up round so that you get a 2x2 rib pattern lying next to each other. You can find this technique for example in the Auri Shirt. 

Follow along for those instructions as well.

 

Please note that this technique needs a little practice. So don't be too disappointed if it takes a few tries.

Abbreviations

For the following instructions, some abbreviations are used:

k

p

sl

st

sts

wyib

wyif

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

knit

purl

slip

stitch

stitches

with yarn in back

with yarn in front

Casting On

Make a loop, the working yarn is on the left, the tail of yarn on the right side.

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Place index finger under working yarn & thumb under the tail of yarn.

Get your needle ready.

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Place the needle on the yarn and twist it around = first provisional st.

Support it with your finger for the next step.

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The proper cast on start from here.

Place the needle under the tail of yarn ...

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... over the working yarn ...

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... and back to the front = 1 k st.

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Then go under the working yarn ...

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... and over the tail of yarn ...

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... back to the front = 1 p st.

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Repeat these two techniques alternating for k and p sts until your number of sts is reached. The last st should be a k st.

You'd rather watch a video tutorial for this technique? I can recommend this very detailed one that shows the entire process including the 2x2 rib twist.

Set Up Rows

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When you've reached the end of your cast on, support the last st & turn your work.

Now you will k1 through the back loop and sl the p st wyif.

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Hold on to the yarn tail so the first 2 sts won't open up when worked.

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Sl 1 st wyif ( p st slipped).

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P st on the right needle, working yarn is in front.

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K the next st through the back loop.

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Alternate these two steps of k1 & sl1 st wyif. The last st should be a k st.

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Now we are going to join the work in the round, make sure no sts are twisted.

This round only the p sts are worked and the k sts are slipped wyib.

Hold on to the tail of yarn and p1.

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Sl the next st (k st) wyib.

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Alternate these two steps of p1 & sl1 wyib.

Mark the beginning of the round.

If you're working a 1x1 rib pattern, you can now continue to do so in rounds.

If you'd like to do a 2x2 rib pattern proceed with the following steps.

2x2 Rib Pattern

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Insert your needle through the first two sts (1 p st, 1 k st) from left to right ...

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... sl the sts off and return the p st from the right needle back on the left needle.

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Finish k the remaining k st.

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Continue working the next 3 sts as established (p2, k1).

Then proceed to swap the next two sts again like before, so the rib pattern can be continued in a 2x2 manner.

Repeat this process so that finally all sts of the round are established as 2x2 rib pattern. The round starts with a k1 and ends with a k1.

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