Cat Bordhi demonstrates Judy Becker's Magic Cast-On. Casting On Stitches. Also known as Double Cast-On or Continental Cast-On view video This is my favorite cast on method, I use it almost exclusively. It creates an even, stretchy edge that works well for stockinette stitch or for ribbing. It's easy to knit from, easy to pick up stitches from, and is also the fastest cast-on I know, once you get the hang of it. It's even faster than Single Cast-On when you take into account that this method creates an already knitted row (technically, anyway...but patterns don't count this row).
Tip: When a pattern calls to "cast on loosely" (like sock cuffs and turtle necks), I will do this cast on over two needles held together as one. Results are a cast on that is literally as stretchy as your ribbing. I usually give myself 12" of tail for every 20 stitches, more generously if it's bulky yarn. Alternative Method There is another method of working longtail cast-on, which is a slower to work, called the thumb method. Crochet Provisional Cast-On. Knitting at Knoon Designs - Provisional Cast-on. Play Video A provisional cast-on is usually worked in a contrasting waste yarn so the cast-on stitches can be easily removed later.
The live stitches are then recovered so you can knit down from that point without the joining line you'd have if you picked up stitches along the edge. There are several provisional cast-ons; this is the one I like the best, because I find it to be the easiest to work. You'll need a crochet hook in an appropriate size for your working yarn and needles, and a length of waste yarn.
Start by making a slip knot loop on the crochet hook. Bring the crochet hook in front of the needle and pick up the yarn. Take the yarn back behind the needle and repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches cast on. Break the yarn and pull a large loop through the last loop on the crochet hook. When you are ready to recapture the live stitches at the cast on edge, gently pull out the chain, placing each stitch on a needle.
Crochet Cast-On. The Crochet Cast-On or Crochet Edge Cast-On makes an edge that matches the standard bind-off. This cast-on can also be used as a provisional cast-on using a separate piece of yarn. It has the advantage of not needing to pick up stitches in the chain. With care it can be done using two knitting needles. It can also be done with a larger needle if a looser cast-on is needed. The stitches are formed around the knitting needle using the crochet hook. Use one knitting needle and one crochet hook of equivalent sizes.Make a slip stitch and place it on the crochet hook. Hold the crochet hook to the right of the knitting needle with the working yarn (the end coming from the ball) behind the needle. Bring the crochet hook in front of the knitting needle, under the yarn, and grab the yarn with the hook.
Pull yarn through the loop on crochet hook and slip that first loop off the hook, leaving the new loop on the crochet hook. Continue until you have one less stitch around the needle than you want.