Alternating Cable Cast on Tutorial

The Alternating Cable Cast On is a great way to create a seamless edge for your 1x1 ribbed knits. Like the Tubular Cast On, the stitches appear to roll over the cast on edge and create a squishy, stretchy border for your knitting.

Knitting needles and yarn required by whatever pattern you are using.

Make a slip knot and place it on your left hand needle.

Insert your right hand needle into the loop.

Wrap yarn over your right hand needle.

Pull yarn through the loop.

Place new loop on left hand needle.

You now have two loops on your left hand needle.

With working yarn in front, insert right hand needle in between the last cast on stitches from back to front.

Wrap yarn over your right hand needle.

Pull loop through to the back.

Place loop onto left hand needle.

You have just completed a "purl" cast on stitch.

With working yarn in back, insert right hand needle between last two loops from front to back.

Wrap yarn over right hand needle.

Pull loop through to the front.

Place loop on left hand needle.

You have just completed a "knit" cast on stitch.

Repeat Steps 7-16 until you have the number of cast on stitches you need. If ending on a purl stitch, repeat steps 12-16 once more.

An easy way to tell if you've just completed a purl cast on stitch is if the working yarn ends up in front. If the working yarn is in the back, you have just completed a knit cast on stitch.

Start knitting your 1x1 ribbing.

Continue knitting 1x1 rib for as long as you need - and enjoy the stretchy, squishy cast on!