I recently started a 1×1 ribbed hat pattern that recommended using a tubular cast on, something I had tried many years ago and quickly forgot about. As a die-hard long-tail or cable cast on lover, it was hard for me to break away from my comfort zone and try something new, but guess what? I loved the tubular cast on so much, I can’t wait to share it with you!
There are several different methods for a tubular cast on and today we will focus on the waste yarn method. This method is specific to 1 x 1 ribbing and uses scrap yarn for the initial cast on, which can be done any way you like – cable, long-tail, backwards loop – your choice. Once your foundation row is cast on, you will switch to your working yarn and work a series of rows to complete the tubular cast on.
For the foundation row, choose a smooth waste yarn that is similar in weight to your working yarn that is not fuzzy or sticky. I love dishcloth cotton for this.
Using your preferred cast on method and waste yarn, cast on half the total number of stitches needed, plus one. For this example, I wanted 20 stitches in total and so I cast on 10 stitches plus 1, for 11 stitches total. It is important to note that this will create 21 stitches on the needle. Were we to cast on 10 stitches, we can’t end a row with a YO, therefore we would only have 19 stitches. This is why we cast on the additional stitch at the beginning, and we will decrease this stitch or use it as a selvedge stitch for seaming on the final set up row.
Switch to working yarn and work the following rows.
Row 1: (Knit 1, YO), rep to last st, k1.
Row 2: (With yarn in front slip 1 stitch as if to purl, with yarn in back k1), rep to the last st, with yarn in front slip 1 stitch as if to purl. You will notice that you are always knitting the yarn over and slipping the stitch that was knit in the previous row.
Row 3: (With yarn in back k1, with yarn in front slip 1 stitch as if to purl), rep to the last st, with yarn in back k1.
Row 4 (same as Row 2): (With yarn in front slip 1 stitch as if to purl, with yarn in back k1), rep to the last st, with yarn in front slip 1 stitch as if to purl.
Row 5 (same as Row 3): (With yarn in back k1, with yarn in front slip 1 stitch as if to purl), rep to the last st, with yarn in back k1.
The 1 x 1 ribbing is now established, and you will begin working in rows of ribbing, knitting the knit stitches, and purling the purls, remembering to work the last 2 stitches together.
You may now carefully remove the waste yarn to reveal the magical tubular edge that is simply ideal for ribbed edges. Give it a stretch from side to side, you’ll be thrilled when you see just how much stretchier this is than other cast ons!
Stay tuned for our next post where we will tackle the tubular cast on again, only this time without waste yarn!
Until then, happy knitting and crocheting everyone!