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How to knit: Cast off

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How to knit: Cast off
By Freddie Patmore 8 years ago

Understanding how to cast off is vital for any budding or seasoned knitter.

In short, it's the only way to finish off your stitches securely and is what will stop your project from unravelling.

As someone who experienced a real casting-off catastrophe of her own aged 19, The Knitting Network's Freddie Patmore is keen to teach others how to do it correctly.

Having spotted a fancy sweater pattern in one of her mum's books years earlier, Freddie saved up the money to buy the materials.

'I spent ages knitting a very posh Kaffe Fassett mohair and silk jumper and was so excited to try it on,' she recalls.

'But when I went to put it on, the cast off around the neck edge was so tight I tore it with my forehead. I couldn't believe I'd wrecked a load of wool that had cost me £140!

'To avoid making the same mistake as me, use a larger needle just for the cast off stage - especially around the neck edge.'

Although there are few variations on the technique, Freddie prefers to use the tried and tested standard method outlined in our helpful demonstration video below.

Knit the first two stitches and lift the first stitch over the second and off the tip of the needle in your right hand using the left-hand needle. The first stitch has now successfully been cast off.

Then knit the next stitch so you're left with two stitches on right-hand needle. Repeat this process, using your left-hand needle to lift the first stitch over the second.

Keep going until you've only got one stitch left on your needle. Cut your yarn and thread it through the final stitch. Pull tight to secure.

Occasionally the last stitch that you cast off may protrude from your knitted edge.

To ensure this doesn't happen when you thread your end through the final stitch, push the loop of the stitch to the back of the work and as you tighten it will wrap itself around the corner.

Posted in: How to knit