We have already considered why casting on is so important and the different categories of cast on methods as well as some simple cast on methods to try. We are now going to look at some two stand and more advance methods.
Two Strand Cast On
There are a large number of two strand cast on methods and most of them will use one needle and two strands of yarn. They are very versatile and can be used for a variety of finishes. With this form of cast on you are best to start your work with a wrong side row unless the first row of your work is a purl row for the right side. The methods detailed below are the Thumb cast on, Italian Cast on, German cast on, simplified cast on and two needle cast on.
Thumb Cast On:
1. Make a slip knot. The short length of the yarn should be at least 3 times the width of the work to be cast on.
2. Take the needle and the long side of the yarn in the right hand.
3. Hold the short strand in the left hand and make a loop around the left thumb moving in a clockwise direction.
4. Slip the needle through the loop around the thumb.
5. Wrap the long end of the yarn under the needle.
6. Pass the loop around the thumb over the tip of the needle and pull the short end.
7. Tighten the long end of yarn.
Italian Cast On
1. Make a slip knot. The short length of the yarn should be at least 3 times the width of the work to be cast on.
2. Take the needle and the long side of the yarn in the right hand.
3. Hold the short end in the left hand and catch the yarn underneath with the thumb and index finger.
4. Catch the yarn with the needle moving from left to right making a loop around your index finger.
5. Wrap the long end of the yarn under the needle.
6. Pass the loop around the index finger over the tip of the needle and pull the short end.
7. Tighten the long end of yarn.
Simplified Cast On
1. Make a slip knot. The short length of the yarn should be at least 3 times the width of the work to be cast on.
2. Take the needle and the long side of the yarn in the right hand.
3. Hold short end in left hand and catch yarn with index finger moving backwards.
4. Catch yarn behind index finger with needle, creating a loop.
5. Wrap the long end of the yarn under the needle.
6. Pass the loop around the index finger over the tip of the needle and pull the short end.
7. Tighten the long end of yarn.
German Cast on
1. Make a slip knot
2. Hold needle in right hand and both ends of the yarn in the left hand.
3. Catch short end with your thumb moving clockwise
4. Lift long strand with index finger
5. Catch loop around thumb with the needle.
6. Catch the yarn going to the index finger with the needle and pull it through the loop around your thumb.
7. Let go with the thumb and pull the short strand.
8. If needed pull the long strand to tighten.
Two Needle Cast On
1. Make a slip knot
2. Take the needle with the slip knot in your left hand and the other in the right hand.
3. Take short strand behind long strand and wrap around the needle, up the back and down the front.
4. Take the long strand in front of the short strand and wrap around the needle in the same way as the short strand.
5. With the needle in your right hand pass the first wrap over the second wrap and the tip of the needle.
6. Pull the short strand and then the long strand.
Twisted Thumb Cast On
This is the same as the thumb cast on except for point 4 your should pass the needle in front of the short strand and slip the needle through the back of the loop around the thumb.
Twisted Italian Cast On
This is like the Italian cast on except for part 4 you should catch the yarn around the index finger from the back.
Twisted German Cast on
This is the same as the German cast on except you should catch the yarn going to the index finger from the back.
Combined Thumb Cast On
This can be done by alternating the way you wind the yarn. Make the first stitch the same as the thumb cast on and then for the second stitch wind the yarn anticlockwise around the thumb and catch it with the needle from the inside. Continue to alternate form clockwise to anticlockwise.
Combined German Cast on
This can be done by making the same changes as the combined thumb cast on.
Combined Italian Cast On
Make the first stitch as with the standard Italian cast on then catch yarn with index finger from top and then with the needle catch the yarn behind the finger. Continue to alternate your stitches.
Combined Simplified Cast On
Make the first stitch as with the standard simplified cast on. For the second stitch, catch the yarn with the index finger moving forward. Then catch the yarn with the needle in front of the finger. Continue alternating your stitched.
Double Two Strand Cast On
This can be done to strengthen your cast on. Do it by wrapping the yarn around the thumb (thumb and German) or index finger (Italian and simplified) and inserting the needle into a double loop. You can apply the same principles to the twisted and combined cast on methods.