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By Jenny Hart

There are a myriad of methods to cast off neatly. These are some of my favourites.
If you tend to cast off too tightly, use needles one or two sizes larger.

Three Needle Cast Off

This method was covered in the Shoulder and Back Neck Shaping article.

Basic Cast Off

This is a good, simple method for most purposes.

  • Work 2 stitches either knit or purl depending on your pattern.
  • Insert the tip of the LH needle into the first stitch on the RH needle.
  • Lift it over the second stitch and over the point of the RH needle.
  • Repeat by working one extra stitch each time.
Using a Crochet Hook

The advantage of this method is that you can make the loops as tight or loose as you like but the challenge is to keep the stitches even. This is a good cast off to use for yarns without much elasticity such as linen, cotton or silk.

Crochet hook cast off
  • Hold the crochet hook in your right hand.
  • Pull a loop through the first stitch, drop the stitch off the LH needle.
  • Insert hook into the next stitch, pull yarn through, drop the stitch off the LH needle, pull yarn through the loop on the hook
  • Repeat to the last stitch.

 

 

 

 

Increasing Cast Off

Use this method to avoid a tight cast off edge on necklines

Increasing cast off
  • Cast off 3 stitches
  • Yarn over (yo) RH needle
  • Take the stitch on the RH needle over the YO and continue.
  • Make a yo every 3 or 4 stitches.
  • Repeat to the last stitch.
 

Darning Needle Cast Off
Wrong wide of stitch 4 pick up
Pick up of stitch 3 from behind stitch 4

Use this if you want an attractive, flexible edge to match the Roll Welt cast on. The instructions are for 1×1 rib. For maximum elasticity work two set up rows.

  • On the last two rows of knitting (rib) : K1, yarn forward, slip 1 purl-wise, yarn back. Repeat to end of row.
  • Hold a steam iron over the knitting briefly to set the stitches so they are less likely to unravel.
  • Break off the yarn from the main ball. Allow at least 3 times the knitting width plus some extra. Thread yarn onto a darning needle
  • Enter stitch 1 as if to knit (aitk- as if to knit) Slip the stitch off the needle
  • Enter stitch 3 as if to purl (aitp –as if to purl)
  • Enter stitch 2 aitp, slip off needle
  • Take thread behind stitch 3 and enter stitch 4 aitk
  • Repeat the last four steps to the end.
The Last Stitch

Be brave! Break off the yarn. Pull the yarn without threading it through the final loop. This gives a neat finish without an overhanging stitch.

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