Alternating Cable Cast on Tutorial

The Alternating Cable Cast On is a great way to create a seamless edge for your 1x1 ribbed knits. Like the Tubular Cast On, the stitches appear to roll over the cast on edge and create a squishy, stretchy border for your knitting.

Supplies

Knitting needles and yarn required by whatever pattern you are using.

Step 1:

Make a slip knot and place it on your left hand needle.

Step 2:

Insert your right hand needle into the loop.

Step 3:

Wrap yarn over your right hand needle.

Step 4:

Pull yarn through the loop.

Step 5:

Place new loop on left hand needle.

Step 6:

You now have two loops on your left hand needle.

Step 7:

With working yarn in front, insert right hand needle in between the last cast on stitches from back to front.

Step 8:

Wrap yarn over your right hand needle.

Step 9:

Pull loop through to the back.

Step 10:

Place loop onto left hand needle.

Step 11:

You have just completed a "purl" cast on stitch.

Step 12:

With working yarn in back, insert right hand needle between last two loops from front to back.

Step 13:

Wrap yarn over right hand needle.

Step 14:

Pull loop through to the front.

Step 15:

Place loop on left hand needle.

Step 16:

You have just completed a "knit" cast on stitch.

Step 17:

Repeat Steps 7-16 until you have the number of cast on stitches you need. If ending on a purl stitch, repeat steps 12-16 once more.

Step 18:

An easy way to tell if you've just completed a purl cast on stitch is if the working yarn ends up in front. If the working yarn is in the back, you have just completed a knit cast on stitch.

Step 19:

Start knitting your 1x1 ribbing.

Step 20:

Continue knitting 1x1 rib for as long as you need - and enjoy the stretchy, squishy cast on!