The three-sided cast-on (often referred to as "garter tab cast on" in knitting pattern) is often used for triangular shawls that are knitted from their long center.

Cast on the number of stitches indicated in the pattern (here three stitches).

Knit the specified number of rows in garter stitch, do not turn the needle after the last row, but turn the work clockwise by 90 degrees.

Now pick up the specified number of stitches (three in this case) from the left edge and knit them.

The work is still not turned over, but rotated another 90 degrees clockwise.

Now pick up the specified number of stitches (three in this case) from the cast-on edge and knit.

Fine stitch tip

You can also cast on the first stitches provisionally and simply pick them up in step 4.

The Italian cast-on is a method for advanced knitters and is also one of the most important cast-on techniques for knitted items with cuffs such as sweaters, socks or cardigans. The technique creates an elastic and round edge for rib patterns. The stitches are first wound onto the needle in a special way. The stitches in the first row may slip on the needle. This technique therefore requires a little practice at first, but with a little experience and routine, the Italian cast-on will also come easily to you.

Place the thread over the thumb and index finger and place a loop on the needle so that the index finger thread lies over the thumb thread. As with the cross cast-on, leave the end of the thread about 3 times as long as the future cast-on edge.

Bring the index finger thread under the thumb thread and place it on the needle as a loop.

For the next loop, guide the needle over the index finger thread and grasp the thumb thread, bring it up and place it on the needle.

Repeat these two steps alternately until the desired number of stitches are on the needle as loops.

Make sure that the new stitches are not twisted. You can then easily recognize knit and purl stitches. However, the knit stitches are still back to front on the needle in this basic row! They must therefore be knitted backwards in the next row.

ITALIAN STOP FOR THE 1/1 RIB

This technique produces an elastic and very clean edge for a simple ribbed cuff. It is particularly suitable for clothing.

The 1/1 rib consists of alternating knit and purl stitches. Once you have prepared the first stitches using the Italian cast-on as explained above, knit the first row by knitting the knit stitches in garter stitch and slipping the purl stitches as for purl knitting, i.e. holding the yarn in front of the needle.

In the next three rows, knit the knit stitches as normal, slip the purl stitches as for purl knitting, with the yarn in front of the work. Then simply continue with the 1/1 stitch as normal: From now on, knit all knit stitches and purl all purl stitches.

FOR EXPERTS: ITALIAN STOP FOR THE 2/2 RIB

You can also use the method described for a cuff in a 2/2 rib pattern. To do this, the stitches after the four rows described above must be knitted over to the 2/2 pattern, i.e. "sorted" into pairs of knit and purl stitches.

Knit a knit stitch after the four rows. Then move the needle over the next purl stitch into the stitch after the next (a knit stitch) and knit this stitch, but leave it on the needle. Now purl the purl stitch you just passed over and let both stitches slide off the needle. The next stitch is another purl stitch, which you also purl.

Repeat these steps until the end of the row and then continue the 2/2 rib pattern as normal by knitting knit stitches and purling purl stitches.

The cord cast-on edge is similar to knitting on stitches, except that it is not knitted into the first stitch, but between the first and second stitch on the left needle. A cord cast-on edge tends to be firmer and is therefore particularly suitable for knitted pieces that must not wear out or stretch.

Insert between the first and second stitch on the needle from the front...

... and pull the working yarn through as in knit knitting. Place the loop on the left needle.

The cross cast-on is the most conventional and best-known stitch cast-on. It is easy to learn and master, especially for beginners. It can be used for any subsequent pattern and forms a stable yet elastic edge.

First, a basic loop is formed on the right needle. The yarn end should be about 3 times as long as the desired cast-on edge - a little more for heavier yarn and a little less for thinner yarn.

Pass the working thread that is connected to the ball of yarn over your index finger and place the end of the yarn over your thumb. Guide the needle under the left thumb thread, then over the left index finger thread and pull this forward as a loop through the two thumb threads.

Tighten the stitch on the needle and place the threads on your thumb and index finger. Repeat steps 2 and 3 continuously.

Tip:

Beginners in particular tend to cast on particularly tightly. Simply cast on the stitches with two parallel needles instead of just one to make the cast-on a little looser. Conversely, if your cast-on is always too loose, use a needle one or two sizes thinner for the cast-on row.

Looping stitches is the simplest cast-on technique, but does not form a very stable edge, which is why this method is only suitable for less stressed pieces or for short cast-ons. With this technique, only one yarn is used and loops are gradually placed on the needle at the end of the row or after the basic loop has been formed. Looping is practiced within the knitted piece, for example, if additional stitches are to be picked up at an edge. Examples of this are knitting the fingers of gloves and mittens or working buttonholes.

Hold the needle with the initial loop in your right hand and place the working thread around your thumb. Tighten the working thread slightly.

Pass the thread around the needle and repeat this process until the desired number of stitches have been cast on.

Like casting on, knitting on stitches is used at the end or beginning of a row when additional stitches need to be picked up. The first stitch on the left needle is knitted, but then left on the left needle. The resulting loop on the right needle is placed back on the left needle. This process is repeated until the desired number of new stitches is reached.

Knit the basic loop or the first stitch of the row, but leave it on the left needle.

Turn the new loop slightly clockwise...

...and place on the left needle. Repeat the process until the desired number of stitches are on the needle.

Fine stitch tip

The cord cast-on can also be used to start ribbed cuffs. For the purl stitches required for the ribbing, insert the needle into the space from behind and then place the working yarn in front of the needle as for a purl stitch.

For some knitting projects, it is necessary to undo the initially worked cast-on edge again later.

It could be,

• ...that this edge is to be knitted in the opposite direction, for which the stitches cast on first must be picked up as invisibly as possible.
• ...that the cast-on edge is to be sewn together invisibly as an open edge with another edge using the stitch.
• ...that the edge is to be chained together with other edges using a uniform technique.

For these purposes, the stop can initially be worked provisionally.

Form a starting loop with a contrasting colored thread of the same weight as the working thread.

Using a crochet hook, place the required number of stitches on the knitting needle by crocheting chain stitches and sliding them onto the knitting needle stitch by stitch.

Then work the first row with the working thread. This corresponds to one row to the right.

The provisional cast-on is later undone from the side where it ended in the cast-on row (= end of the chain of chain stitches).