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Knitting Basics - Casting Off Part 1

Posted On : Jun-22-2010 | seen (762) times | Article Word Count : 591 |

Casting off is what you have done once you have finished your work and it is a way of getting the stitches off the needle. We are going to look at what casting off is important and also consider a number of ways in which you can cast off.
Casting off is what you have done once you have finished your work and it is a way of getting the stitches off the needle. We are going to look at what casting off is important and also consider a number of ways in which you can cast off.

Why is Casting Off Important?
Well like with casting on when you cast off your work you get an edge. In many cases this edge may be visible on the finished garment and so it is important that it looks nice and gives the correct finish to your garment. There are various cast off methods available and each will give your garment a different look so it is a good idea to pick the right one for what you are doing. You have a lot of scope to experiment with casting off and using the correct method can really enhance what you are making.

Basic Cast Off
This is the most common of all cast on methods and one that will suit many purposes. If you are making a garment where your cast off edge will not show then this is the perfect cast of to use as it is simple and gives a straight edge. However remember not to pull to tightly as this can cause your work to look distorted. The method is as follows:
1. Work 2 stitches
2. With the left hand needle pull the first stitch over the second and off the needle
3. Work another stitch and pass the previous one over it and off the needle.
4. Repeat the previous step until you have one stitch remaining.
5. Cut the yarn, pass through the final loop and pull to tighten.

Crochet Cast Off
For this cast off method you will need a crochet hook and you need to hold the yarn in the left hand and at the back of your work.
1. Slip the first stitch on to the crochet hook purlwise
2. Insert the hook into the next stitch and slip it off the needle
3. Catch the loose yarn with the crochet hook and draw it though these two stitches and then drop them off the hook. This should leave you with the loop you have created on the crochet hook.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have only one stitch until you have one stitch remaining.
5. Cut the yarn, pass through the final loop and pull to tighten.

Provisional Cast off
This is the easiest method of all and is done when you want to work with the stitches again and possibly work an edging onto a garment, such as the neck of a sweater. All you need to do is cut a length of yarn and with a sewing needle thread it through the stitches for later use. However this can leave it in a position where the stitches could come off the yarn and so we would recommend using a stitch holder to hold the stitches until you need to work them again.

The two cast off methods that we have considered here are the most basic ones and it is a good idea to be comfortable with them before you move on to more complicated methods. Over the next few articles we will consider a variety of different cast off methods and what they can be useful for. Many of them will be decorative and attractive edges that can be used to give your garment a great finish.

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Knitting Basics - Casting Off Part 1_22931.aspx

Author Resource :
This article has been supplied by Mercedes Aspland for the Knitting Shop where you can buy wool online.

Keywords : Knitting shop, wool, yarn, knitting, learn to knit ,

Category : Home and Family : Hobbies

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