Thumb Cast-On
The thumb technique produced an edge that has elasticity. This is very useful when working with yarns that dont have allot of give, such as chenille or firm cotton, or when casting on for a ribbed edge. It is also a cast on that looks good with garter stitch and moss stitch.
- for this cast on you firstly need to pull enough yarn from the ball to make all the stitches; approx 2cm (.75”) per stitch is needed. hold the ball end of the yarn and the needle in your right hand. Hold the other end of the yarn (the measured length) in the palm of your left hand. Move your left thumb behind and under the yarn, so that the yarn is wrapped from front to back around your left thumb. out the correct amount of yarn then make a slip knot.
- hold the ball end of the yarn and the needle in your right hand. Hold the other end of the yarn (the measured length) in the palm of your left hand. Move your left thumb behind and under the yarn, so that the yarn is wrapped from front to back around your left thumb.`
- insert the tip of the needle into the loop on your thumb.
- wrap the yarn in your right hand under and around the tip of the knitting needle.
- bring the needle, and the yarn wrapped around it, through the loop around your thumb and towards you to make another stitch on the needle.
- slip your thumb out of the loop and pull the two ends of yarn away from the needle in opposite directions. Repeat steps 2-6 until you have cast on the required number of stitches needed.