Learn the Channel Island Cast On

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“Cast On, Bind Off” presents more than 50 ways to cast on and bind off, creating edges that are tighter, looser, stretchier, lacier, longer-lasting, prettier or whatever your project needs.
“Cast On, Bind Off” presents more than 50 ways to cast on and bind off, creating edges that are tighter, looser, stretchier, lacier, longer-lasting, prettier or whatever your project needs.
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Back and front of Channel Island cast on
Back and front of Channel Island cast on
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Stockinette profile
Stockinette profile
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Stockinette close-up
Stockinette close-up
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Ribbed cose-up
Ribbed cose-up
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Ribbed profile
Ribbed profile
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Measure out a tail that is twice the length you would need for a Long-Tail Cast On. Fold this in half and make a slip knot where the two strands come together, leaving a short tail for weaving in later. Place the slipknot on your needle.
Measure out a tail that is twice the length you would need for a Long-Tail Cast On. Fold this in half and make a slip knot where the two strands come together, leaving a short tail for weaving in later. Place the slipknot on your needle.
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Hold the yarn in slingshot position, with the single strand (the one connected to the ball of yarn) going over your index finger. Take the double-strand tail and loop it, counterclockwise, twice around your thumb.
Hold the yarn in slingshot position, with the single strand (the one connected to the ball of yarn) going over your index finger. Take the double-strand tail and loop it, counterclockwise, twice around your thumb.
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Insert the needle tip up under the two doubled tails on the thumb.
Insert the needle tip up under the two doubled tails on the thumb.
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Reach the needle behind the single strand of yarn, as if making a yarnover.
Reach the needle behind the single strand of yarn, as if making a yarnover.
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Reach over the top of the single strand and pull a loop through.
Reach over the top of the single strand and pull a loop through.
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Drop the yarn from your thumb and pull on the ends to snug the stitch.
Drop the yarn from your thumb and pull on the ends to snug the stitch.
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Repeat steps 2 - 6 for the desired number of stitches. Note that this sequence makes 2 stitches: the first a yarnover and the second a knot.
Repeat steps 2 - 6 for the desired number of stitches. Note that this sequence makes 2 stitches: the first a yarnover and the second a knot.

Expand your knitting repertoire and thumb through Leslie Ann Bestor’s Cast On, Bind Off (Storey Publishing, 2012). This one-of-a-kind reference teaches how to choose — and execute — the most appropriate, functional and effective means of creating professional and beautiful edges for any number of knitting projects. Start with this Channel Island Cast On and marvel at the decorative, long-lasting and strong, elastic edge it produces. This excerpt is taken from the chapter “Stretchy Cast Ons.”

You can purchase this book from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store: Cast On, Bind Off.

Channel Island Cast On

a.k.a. Knotted

This cast on produces a strong, elastic edge with a series of bumps or knots, almost like picots. The flexibility makes it suited for top-down socks, while the decorative edge adds a nice bit of interest to edges of garments. Knitted ganseys often use this cast on, and because it is made with an extra strand of yarn, it holds up well. This technique makes an even number of stitches.

  • Published on Aug 29, 2012
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