LK-150 Fun

Open vs. Closed Cast On

The Basics · Lesson 1 of 5

Open and Closed Cast Ons

The cast on method you've been using from your machine manual is quick and easy, but it isn't usually the best choice for the finished edge of a project.

Open Cast On

An open cast on leaves live stitches in the main yarn that can be picked up later.

Machine knitters often use an open cast on when they plan to add a finished edge after the knitting is complete.

Pick up the stitches and hand-knit ribbing
Pick up the stitches and machine-knit ribbing
Work a decorative bind-off
Finish the edge with crochet

The most common way to create an open cast on is by using waste yarn.

Closed Cast On

A closed cast on creates a finished edge as you begin knitting.

Some closed cast ons are decorative, while others are simply functional, such as the cast on method described in your machine manual.

There are many closed cast on methods. In the next section, we'll take a look at two of the most commonly used by machine knitters.

E-wrap cast on — stretchy and fast
Chain/crochet cast on — firm and decorative