Alternate Ribbing Cast On Methods

I don't care much for the "standard" Cast On edges on bulky ribbing. There are a couple of methods that I usually use instead.

1. LOOKS VERY SIMILAR TO A STANDARD RIBBING CAST ON, BUT DOESN'T RIPPLE OR FLARE. Start with the carriage on the right side of the bed. Arrange the required number of needles for K1 P1 rib. T 0/0. Knit 1 row from left to right and hang the comb and weights. Disconnect the ribber carriage and take it across to the right and back. This will drop all of the loops off the ribber bed. The ribber needles should return to normal working position, and the comb is now suspended by loops from the main bed needles only. Knit 1 row to the right. The stitches will have knitted *through* the stitches on the main bed, and a row of loops has formed on the ribber needles. Set carriages for circular knitting, as instructed in your manual in the "standard cast on" method. Knit 2 rows. This is actually just 1 row on each bed. The knitter carriage will knit going 1 direction, and slip the other; the ribber carriage will slip when the knitter carriage knits, and knit when the knit carriage slips. ("Slip" means that the carriage passes over the needles without doing anything.)

Cast on edge is complete. Reset the carriages for normal knitting and increase both tension dials to appropriate ribbing tension. Knit the ribbing and the rest of the garment as instructed in the pattern. Remove the cast on comb and weights. There will be a row of long loops extending along the cast on edge. Begin on the side opposite the yarn tail. Find the first loop on the edge. Pull it sideways, tightening up the extended loops. Depending on the yarn you may be able to lightly steam the very edge; if so, this will help set the stitches. BE SURE TO PRACTICE ON A SWATCH OF RIBBING BEFORE STEAMING THE ACTUAL GARMENT! Now finish pulling the yarn loop out. This will produce a very long yarn tail, and it can be used for seaming the garment together.

2. LOOKS LIKE A HAND KNIT EDGING. For this example, we will presume that the ribbing is knitted at T 4/4. With waste yarn, cast on and knit about 1" of ribbing, ending with the carriage on the right. Reset carriages to knit circular (knitter carriage will knit going 1 direction, and slip the other; the ribber carriage will slip when the knitter carriage knits, and knit when the knit carriage slips). Knit 2 rows ravel cord. (1 row on each bed.)

Change to main yarn and normal rib carriage settings. Change to T 9/9 (some yarns may need T 10/10, so always test on a swatch). Knit 1 row of K1, P1 knitting, with both beds set for normal rib, not circular. T 4/4. Knit rib, then rest of garment section. Hold the garment in your lap. With the latch tool or a crochet hook, whichever you find easier to use, finish off the rib edge. Begin on the side opposite the yarn tail. Take the first loop of main color onto the hook. *Pull the next main color loop through the one on the hook. Repeat from * across. Pull the yarn tail through the last stitch to fasten off. Pull out the ravel cord to remove the waste yarn.

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