Storey Publishing does it again. Cast On Bind Off is a lovely little book by Leslie Ann Bestor, 215 pages of nothing but interesting (and useful!) cast ons and bind offs.
Me? I use two cast ons: long-tail and crocheted (when it calls for a provisional cast on) and I use one bind off, the old fashioned kind, knit 2, slip one over. I've used more, but only when they're printed in the pattern, you know? I love Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn bind-off for socks, but I always have to look it up.
This cute little tome, though, now lives in my house, ready for reference.
You can have a shot at owning one, too, by leaving a comment. Tell me your favorite method, or heck, if you're not sure, just tell me how your day is going! WINNER DRAWN!
More chances can be had by visiting the other blogs on her tour:
7/9 Picnic Knits
7/10 Knit and Tonic
7/11 Zeneedle
7/12 Rambling Designs
7/13 Rambling Designs (pt. 2: Leslie Ann guest post)
7/14 Neo Knits
7/15 Knit & Nosh
7/16 Knitting at Large
7/17 Rebecca Danger
7/18 Lapdog Creations
7/19 Nutmeg Knitter
7/20 Yarnagogo
7/21 Weekend Knitter
7/22 knitgrrl
7/23 It's a Purl, Man
7/24 Whip Up
7/25 Knitspot
7/27 Knitting Daily
7/29 Hugs for Your Head
7/30 The Knit Girllls
WINNER DRAWN! Thanks for playing.
My normal cast on is the cabled cast on, I need to widen my horizons I think.
Im not even sure what the name of my cast on is…but its the only way I know so far.If a pattern calls for some thing specific I have to look it up=)Ive been knitting for a couple years now and have stuck to easy projects and a few cables.
Long tail cast on has been known to (literally) drive me to tears so I stick with the cable cast on, as I discovered it was called, which is how I was originally taught to do it. I can’t do a provisional cast on to save my life, I always end up having to cut the yarn out to get to the stitches I want! Casting off, I stick to the same one as you, although I do use the Kitchner stitch for the toes of my socks, I keep a photocopied set of instructions from Interweave Knits in my knitting basket to remind me how to get started!
I am still awake, so my day is a long one! Last night I taught my beginning knit class the cable cast on. Last week they learned the knitted cast on.
I’m kind of sad and pathetic — I only know the long-tail cast-on and I don’t even know the name of the bind-off I use — it’s the one I was taught when I learned knitting. I would love to learn more styles.
My day is starting very early but so far so good! Like you, I always have to look up anything other than a normal bind off. Cable cast on is my fave.
I usually use the long-tail, but I think learning new things would be a good idea. Thanks for the review!
Usually i do a long tail cast on.. I tried and botched a provisional cast on. I attmpt those that a pattern calls for. “regular”bind off. Trying something new is a great idea!
After using a long tail cast on for ages I started to realise it wasn’t suited to all projects, and I often worked it far too tight. At the moment I mostly use a tubular cast on and regular cast off. I’d love to learn more and have them all in one place rather than having to search the Internet before starting a new project!
I pretty much stick to one cast on/cast off method too. I’d love to expand my choices though and this book looks like a great reference. As for my day, it’s awesome! On vacation on Cape Cod, MA. Just got back from a 5 mile run up to the lighthouse and back. Life is good!
My favorite cast-on is the old long tail; I just seem to use it automatically. I guess I need to break out of my rut!
I am a bit picky about these things, so if the bind-off edge and cast on edge both show I will use the provisional cast on so I can make them match. I mostly use the standard k1, slip1 over bind off, but for socks prefer the super stretchy one posted on Knitty awhile back since I mostly do toe up and use the magic or Turkish cast ons.
Long tail all the way. Definitely need to expand the repetoire.
i’m sticking to the “regular” way to bind off and cast-on – just the way my mom taught me. would love, love, love the book!
I used to struggle with it, but I’m starting to enjoy the crocheted cast on!
I always use long tail cast one…but I’m SO excited about this book!! There are so many more for me to learn!!! As for my day?……..TGIF!!!
I’ve recently started knitting toe-up socks, and found the Eastern or Turkish cast-on to be the least fiddly of beginnings for these. I can’t do fiddly.
I like a stretchy bind-off that combines k2together, cast off, but I don’t know what it’s called.
I, too, use the long-tailed cast on and the crocheted cast on. Need to get out of this rut.
Cable cast on is the default easiest, but I don’t know that many others. Long tail makes half the yarn unply, which drives me batty. Judy’s magic cast on for toe up socks, generally.
Jeni’s super stretchy bind off is the current favorite for a lot of things requiring extra stretch.
Twisted German for baby hats to keep from squeezing their wee heads!
Hi and thanks for this opportunity
Long tail cast-on is my favorite but I use different ones depending on projects.
My favorite stretchy bind off
For shawls :
K2, insert the left needle into the front of the 2 sts on the right needle and knit them together–1 st remains on right needle.
K1, repeat from until all sts have been bound off.
I found it here :
http://www.sheeptoshawl.com/charity/archives/2006/11/entry_223.html
For socks I generally use Elisabeth Zimmerman’s sewn bind off
Have a good day
My standard cast on is long tail and I don’t really like it that much. I obviously need this book!
Delurking to say that I normally use either a cabled cast on or a knitted cast on (don’t know the “official” name for that one), but I LOVE Jeny’s Super Stretchy Cast On. I’m not very good at it, but I love it.
I started with the long tail cast on, but hated the uncertainty of it. Would I have enough yarn to cast on all the stitches? Would I have a lot left over? The former was defeating, and the latter felt like an absolute waste.
Since discovering the cable cast on, I’ve been stuck in that rut. It’s time to try something new, and this book sounds perfect!
My favorite cast-on is the Short-Tail Long-Tail cast on. I learned this form Betty Balcomb on Ravelry. It’s basically the Long-Tail cast on using both ends of the same skein of yarn. What’s nice it that you never waste yarn or end up too short!
Cable cast on and usual bind off unless a pattern says differently. I would love to learn new techniques . Any book with a spiral binding makes it easier to follow directions. This book is on my list to own.
I typically use the longtail cast on. Would love to learn more.
I use the cable cast on. I use the same bind off you do, unless the pattern directs me to another kind. I would like to learn the three needle bind off, however. It sounds so much easier than the K2, pass one st over method.
I am exactly like you – long tail & the standard bind off that you do. I didn’t even realize there were more until about a year ago lol!
Oh, I want this book!! My standard cast-on is long-tail. For socks, I like to work long-tail in the knit/purl pattern that matches my ribbing — or the twisted German cast-on.
I stick with the basics too, but really should branch out.
I don’t know what my cast on is called but I only have one so obviously I need this book to help me expand!
I use long tail but I need to learn something new.
I use almost 50/50 long tail or knitted on. I recently started using the knitted on way more, especially for lace. I also like the Emily Ocker’s circular cast on for round starts as in shawls or top down hats. It reminds me of a crochet start, which is so much cleaner than traditional round starts for knitting.
For cast off, I learned a variation on the standard you use that kick’s the old way’s butt. So much faster! and clever. But that’s Lucy for ya. For socks I use a sewn tubular bind off that I learned from the Vogue Knitting book that has a rounded edge. It’s a lot like doing kitchener stitch.
Sorry, the cast off I like I learned from a Lucy Neatby DVD. I got so excited, I missed adding that. 🙂
I use the long tail cast on.
Long tail cast on, although I think cable cast -on is kinds fun too! I usually just do the regular bind -off, but I love to Kitchener my socks!
Casting on, I’m definitely in a rut with the long tail unless the pattern calls for something different. A bit more adventurous on bind-offs, stretchy for shawls, Kitchener for socks, and an occasional foray into Picot if I’m feeling bold.
I almost always use long tail cast on. This looks like such a great reference book.
I’m still in the dark ages of long tail cast on.
Ha! I learned the long tail cast on a few years ago in a class. It is a bit tedious, I think. My bind off is the same as yours. I think this book would be a great way to learn a new cast on.
Well, it is a better day, because it is a little cooler. This heat/drought has been awful!
My favorite CO is German Long Tail, mostly because I don’t really know when to use the others. I only know a few, and if a pattern doesn’t specify then I just use GLT. Thanks for the giveaway!
I like the 3-needle bind off for shoulders. No sewing required!
Looks like a great resource. I am new to knitting…so it’s just long tail cast on and regular cast off so far. But I love to learn new techniques!
I was telling my mom I liked the Twisted German cast on, and she said she liked the Old Norwegian one. It turns out they’re the same thing with different names.
Another fan of the Long-Tail cast on, here! And for adding stitches in the middle of a row (You know how you have to do that, sometimes? Like for underarm stitches when knitting in the round and joining sleeves?) I like the backwards loop method.
my go to is the cable cast on. thanks for the chance to win
Long tail. I really enjoyed your book and love reading your blog. Thanks for this giveaway!
I most often use long-tail cast on. I’m working on a pair of toe-up socks now, and the magic cast on is still tricky for me to work. I’ve done the super-stretchy bind off and 3 needle bind off, but my usual is the boring k1, slip st over! I think this book looks great and would be something I’d use often. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
My new favorite cast-off is k2tog, put stitch back on left needle, repeat. It is very stretchy, and has a nice cable effect on the edge, too.
long tail
I use the cable cast on the most, in one or the other of the variations I know, but I’ve recently fallen in love with Judy’s magic cast-on. And casting off—most often I use the old-fashioned one my grandmother taught me. I need to expand my horizons.
I usually use longtail to cast on and the same bind off method as you. LIke you, I’ve used other methods, but only when I’m going for something in particular or the pattern says to do something else (unless I disagree with the pattern). I would LOVE to have this book.
Long tail cast on is my favorite. I do the provision cast-on with a contrasting yarn.
I like the Cable Sast On.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow Rachel, we’re like Cast-on/bind-off twins!
I use the long tail cast on most often. For bind-offs, I use either the “standard” or on socks and shawls I use Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off.
I use the long tail cast on and the basic bind off. Need to try something new!
I’ve gotten to like the bind-off where you k2tog through the back loop, replace stitch on left needle, and repeat.
I think magic loop and crochet provisional cast-ons are super cool but for most projects I use plain old long tail.
I’m a long tail cast-on kind of girl. 🙂 I do a basic bind off for most things, but a stretchy bind off for lace.
I guess I’m a long tail cast-on sort of girl…for now! Thanks for doing this giveaway!
I use what the Yarn Harlot calls the not-long-enough-tail cast on. I’ve tried the knitted-on one, but I can’t get it to actually look good. Bind offs…there’s more than one way to bind off?
My favs are the long tail and Judy’s Magic Cast on. thanks!
I use the cable cast on and the same bind off as you. I would love to learn more.
Always long tail for me!
I default to the twisted german cast on because it’s stretchy for straight edges and Judy’s magic cast on whenever I’m about to do toe-up socks. I alternate between the knit two, pull one over bind off and the bind off where you knit two together, slip the stitch back to the left needle and then knit two together.
I tend to use long-tail cast on these days, unless the pattern specifically calls for something different…and then I always have to look it up.
I like the knitted cast on and the tubular cast on (thanks, Jared Flood, for re-introducing this one to me).
My favorite cast on is what June Hiatt calls Alternating Cast On in The Principles of Knitting. Excellent for k1, p1 rib on the top of a sock. I’ve heard about this book and am *extremely* curious as to what’s in it!! Thanks for offering a copy!
I mostly stick with the long-tail cast-on though I love the flexibility of the provisional cast-on for finishing edges later. I like the finished look of an i-cord cast off but it can be sloooooow going for larger projects.
btw, I love seeing pics of all the new dresses you have been making. You inspire me!
I like the cable cast on for most things, Tillabuddy’s cast on for socks.
Recently learned Emily Ocker’s cast on and love, love, love it!
EZ’s sewn bind off is a stand-by, though I keep promising to learn Juli’s Stretchy…. I knit most cast-ons unless I have a specific reason not to.
I’m also in the long-tail boat. It was the first one I learned, and I have been using it way before I even knew its name or that there were other ways of casting on. I love learning new methods, but usually have to look them up since it is usually a long time for me between cast-ons.
Glad to see you looking so vibrant and healthy.
Who knew we needed so many cast-ons and bind offs?
Long tail cast-on. Regular ole’ cast off. Unless the pattern calls for something else. And then I’m disgruntled, but I do it.
Heat wave gone and enjoying the lovely weather. Long tail cast on is what I usually do.
I’m with you, only a couple in my repertoire and if a specific one is called for by name in a pattern, to youtube I go! Would love to have this book to broaden my horizons and options.
Pretty much always the long tail Cast on and then the regular old bind off! I’d love to learn some new ones!
My standard cast on is the knit cast on. I also know the long tail & the cable & the loop one (not sure what that one’s really called). The cast off I always do is the regular one that you mentioned. I’m adding this book to my list of books to get – I need to learn other cast ons & cast offs!
Because I am lazy I have never learned anything other than the cable cast on (don’t have to fuss with how much yarn I need for the long tail). Use only one bind-off– knit two, pass first stitch over the second. A book that shows how the different cast ons and bind offs look would be very nelpful!
I use long-tail cast-on, or at least that is what I think it is…it’s the one I was taught when I first started knitting (3 months ago), and the teacher didn’t name it. Bind-off is regular. I would love to branch out and learn more techniques. As for my day, it is hot hot hot here in ND, so I think I will try to stay indoors and knit!
Just discovered the incredibly stretchy bind-off and love it. I used it on my Color Affection shawl and it is wonderful! Would love to have this book to learn some new tricks…
I usually use the Twisted German Cast-On. I really need more variety in my cast-offs, I don’t even have a good go-to.
Rav: GingerLee25
Normally I use the long-tail cast on and the regular old bind off – but I would love to learn more, and to learn WHY I should use a different type! Thanks for the chance to win this book!
Not sure what my method is called – I taught myself to knit by following the pictures in a book 8>) I need your book, please choose me . . .
I usually use my regular co and bo for everything, but recently tried Jeny’s super stretchy bind off for socks, as suggested in cat bordhi’s “pocket sock” pattern. And, it really is super stretchy, kind of perfect for the top of socks.
I am just a beginner knitter so I tend to stick to the knit two and slip over to bind off. But I am always looking for new (and easier) techniques as I expand my skills. I think my next project will be a lace knit stitch.
More and more I’m using the knitted-on cast-on, and EZ’s sewing-off bind-off. If I want a bit firmer cast-on, but not too tight, I’ll use long-tail, but with a needle 3 – 4 sizes bigger than my knitting.
I’m a long-tail lover, but I feel a distinct need to widen my horizons, especially as I get ready to enroll in the Master Knitter series from TKGA (I’m mid-way through their Basics, Basics, Basics course).
I need to break free of the long tail cast on—it’s my go-to, but it’s time for a change.
I have no idea what method I use to cast off. The one I was taught 😉
Rainy day up here but welcome after a few weeks of blazing sun.
My cast on’s and off’s are the same as yours! Except I don’t do crochet. I use some crazy provisional cast on that Eunny Jang engineered. But I always have to look it up before doing it :/ This book looks to be super handy!
My cast on and offs are the same as yours as well. Once in a while I change it up if a pattern totally calls for it..but not often. Sounds like a great little book that would maybe get me out of my cast on/off rut.
I can do a few cast ons – long-tail, Judy’s Magic, cabled – and a few bind offs but sometimes I need something else. Having a new reference would be lovely.
I try to use whichever cast on or bind off the pattern calls for. Which usually involves a trip to the interwebs and a half hour with youtube. My preferred cast on is long tail as that’s the one my grandma taught me.My bind off is the super easy knit 2 slip on over.But I did try that magic stretchy one for my first pair of socks and I think every sock after will get that bind off.
The long tail is my goto cast on method, although I do use others sometimes. I’d love to win this book to expand my repertoire.
I should stop leaving comments on everyone’s blog and just go buy the book already! But I’m going to take one more chance…I like the cable cast on and long tail, but just lately I did a lace pattern that cast on 372! stitches with backward loop! I thought it would be terrible but it wasn’t. Now I have another choice. But I need to learn new bind-offs, and I need this book.
I am very limited, and need this book. I panic at using any other cast on than my fav – cable cast on. Provisional? Long tail? Backwards loop? Heard of em but can’t use them — yet….Please enter me in your contest for this fab book.
Long tail cast-on is what I always use. This book makes me want to learn more though!
I do long tail cast on for almost everything, and I really like the super stretchy bindoff (from knitty), but most often, I use a regular vanilla bind-off.
Usually do longtail CO but lately have been doing the knitted on CO. I bind off the same way you do.
My day is going well. It is rainy and cool (after record breaking heat), and our last show of the summer is up and running. Time for quiet and cleaning and rest.
Also… I use mostly the basics that you mention, but I’ve rather frequently used the knit and cable cast ons. Though I almost never use a different cast off…
I would like to win. I tried over at Wendy’s but no luck. Try again!
I usually use the old-fashioned cast off, or EZ’s sewn bindoff.
I only know long tail, so I desperately need this reference. My day has been hectic, but nothing settles my morning panic fest better than reading knitting blogs during lunch! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Can’t do longtail since losing mobility in my left hand to stroke. Now I’m limited to various ways of knitting up my cast ons, but I manage. Hey, at least I can still KNIT!
My cast on styles are limited to two: knitted and long-tail cast on. My bind-off method is – exclusively – knit 2, pass one stitch over. I would LOVE to learn a provisional cast on and the cable cast on that so many other knitters use. And clearly, I need to learn another way to bind off. I’ve seen patterns I’d like to try until I read that they require some kind of “3 needle bind-off,” and I think – I can’t do that! Well, if I had a book like this, I could LEARN to do it! I hope I win. Thanks for the chance to do so.
I only know the basic cast-ons and bind-off, but 3-needle bind off is so fast and easy and saves me from some sewing!
I normally use knitted cast on, but sometimes long tail. I recently knitted a pattern that calls for simple “Backward Loop” CO. I bind off the same as you do, but I’ve had my eye on this book for a while now. Want to learn more! Been knitting since the late 1960’s (I was 9 when I learned). : – )
Oh, here’s the pattern I was talking about — CUTE and so easy:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evenings-embrace
Oh i would love this!
I usually use long tail, though I have been known to do a cable cast on now and then.
Been using long-tail cast-on for most items, but in casting on some shawls (at the bottom edge) have been using cable cast-on.
Sometimes use other cast-on methods, but have to look them up again and again.
After many ugly cast-ons I have the best luck with the knit CO, but if I need it more stretchy I will do the long-tail CO, which I hate because I often end up with more stitches than my tail will give me. Arrrrrgh. I am in great need of more inspiration, which your book promises. The sewn BO still eludes me. When the BO takes more work and time than knitting the sock, I know I have a problem. I usually like the same normal BO you use, but am dying to try the stretchy bind off you shows us several days ago. I could sure use some help!
I really need to learn new cast ons and cast offs as I use the same one over and over and I know I can do better.
Love your tweets and very impressed with your serging expertise.
Elise
I absolutely could use this book–do my horizons ever need expanding! I do love Jeny’s stretchy bind-off, but I don’t have a failsafe cast-on.
I use the knitted cast on and the standard cast off cuz I don’t know any other cast off! 🙂
I usually use the long-tail cast on and regular bind off too; but I enjoy learning new techniques that work well in specific situations (the EZ sewn bind off is great for a loose but good-looking edge to garter stitch; the Old Norwegian/twisted German cast on or Nancy Bush’s double-start cast on is great for top-down socks). I’d love to win this book and learn more!
I always use long tail cast on because…well…it’s the only one I know! Would love this book to learn more. Thanks for the opportunity.
I’m boring. Long tail cast on and sewn bind off. I do like kitchener stitch though and will maintain that it is a bind off.
I usually use long tail. If the pattern says something else, I will look it up but occasionally will still do long tail anyway.
For 30 years I just “knit” on. Then I learned the long-tail and the cable cast on. Most of the time I use the cable. Casting off – I only know the one way to do it. And my day is icky in parts and great in other parts. It’s a balancing act.
I’m so addicted to the long-tail cast-on that I’ll take a spare piece of yarn to use as the tail to cast on extra stitches (say, for adding sleeves) instead of using a different cast-on method. However, I did the modified tubular cast-on for the Grace Lace Beret and that’s my new favorite cast-on for socks.
I generally bind-off in pattern but I’m taken with the surprisingly stretchy bind off and so I’m going to try that. I might make some handwarmers or something just to try it out.
I’d love this book, just because I’m taken with having knitting reference books around.
Long tail cast-on is what I use 90% of the time. I only do plain vanilla cast off. Clearly, this book would do me a lot of good. Smile!
There is something besides long tail cast on? I’m hopeless. I guess I need that book….
I love the sewn bind-off for toe-up socks! 🙂
Favorite? Whichever one is right for the project. My current go-to standard cast-on is Twisted German (aka Old Norwegian) and I usually bind off the traditional way, but I’ve got tricks up my sleeve when I need them. (Although I think I’ve only just mastered disappearing loop.) But there’s always new tricks.
I’m a huge fan of Norwegian longtail cast on
I love your blog! Thank you for writing it and sharing your unique perspective! I use the long tail cast on almost exclusively.
I just learned the crochet cast-on and I really enjoyed it–you don’t have to know how much yarn to leave for the long-tail. Thanks for the chance 🙂
I am fond of the German twisted long tail cast on for socks.
Thanks for offering a contest to your readers!
Unless the directions specify a different cast on (and provide really clear instructions) I use the knitted on cast on method my Gran showed me 50+ years ago. I can manage cable cast on without instruction but it is always too tight unless I go up a needle size or two. I’d really love to feel competent with other methods. I need this book. Please enter me in the contest. If I’m not a winner, this will top the list of Christmas suggestions to my sis.
Cabled cast on for me, plain old standard cast off. you know, lift stitch over the other? like that. boooring, but easy!
For years I didn’t cast on at all. I just used a piece of waste knitting and increased until I had the needed stitches, and worked in both directions. I’m still not very happy about hard cast-ons.
My day has been lovely! Cranking out some dishcloths for my new etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/emilougnugknits
Yes, I only do long tail cast-on! I had to cable cast on with doubled cotton yarn for a buttonhole and it melted my brain a little. I need this book!
I use the same methods as you, however, I do not get nearly as many cool projects completed.
German twisted cast on for socks. I’m not sure what it’s called in that book, but it makes a really nice finished edge. It’s a bit more fidgety than a normal long tail cast on, but worth it!
And my day is going great! Time for sleep, always a good thing.
It looks like another great reference to have on hand.
My mom taught me the knitted cast-on and I still mostly use that or cable. Definitely need to learn the provisional ones… and long-tail, which always comes out way too tight for me. How about a cast-on class at Article Pract one of these days? Or Verb? (Oakland homie here…)
Hi, I have learned a few but i decided that life was getting too complicated so the cast on is like knitting but you keep adding it to the needle with a twist and the cast off like yours.
My favorite is the cable cast on
I use the same cast on and offs as you! Everything else has to be looked up.
I use the long-tail way too much!
54! Wow!
My favorite cast on is this way to do a tubular cast on: you cast on half the stitches you need, then on the first round do *k, yo* to double them. Then you basically do double knitting for the next two rounds, and then go right into your knitting. No tedious provisional rows to pick out, no stitches to pick up! It’s great!
For casting off, Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off is awesome for socks and close-fitting hats. Cat Bordhi has a video on YouTube that explains it really well.
I just learned how to knit a few months ago so winning this book would be amazing! I only know one cast on and two bind offs!
Thanks so much for hosting this “contest” and giving us all a chance to win this book. It looks like a fabulous reference book to add to any knitter’s library. Reading through some of the comments, it looks like we could all benefit from trying some new techniques.
My favorite cast on is the long-tail cast-on, and my “only” bind off is the knit 2, pass one stitch over variety. So, I am definitely among those who could benefit from some new techniques. Pick me, please!
I like to use Judy’s magic cast on and Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy bind off for socks, otherwise whatever the pattern calls for.
What, you mean there are more than long tail and knit one, knit one, slip one over for bind off? I need that book!
So far my Sunday morning is going well. Got up early to feed cats got back in bed for more sleep. Now I am reading my knitting blogs sitting up in bed while waiting for my lovely Dave to bring me a cooked breakfast.
I usually use the long-tail cast-on and I really like the K2tog through the back loop bind-off. 🙂
(I would loooove to have that book!)
The long tail cast-on is the one I use 99% of the time. Any other kind I have to look up. This little book sure would come in handy!
I seem to only know one of each – the long tail cast on and the same bind off that you do… I wish I knew a provisional cast on and a stretchy bind off but alas, I never remember to look them up.
Mostly, I just use a knitted or chain caston. Bind off…just the usual.
I like the knitted cast on because I can make it as loose as I want.
I used to always run out of yarn with the long-tail cast on, but then I did a Knit Swirl and learned I can do it by tying the ends of two balls of yarn together, and that works quite well.
I’ve also done a provisional cast on for a project, and thought that was pretty cool. Knitted cast ons most of the time, though.
I’ve done Very Stretchy Bind offs, but I have to look them up to do them, so usually I just do a regular basic bind off.
I’d love to have all the different methods together in one place–what a helpful and useful book!
The idea of that many bindoffcastons makes me kind of both happy and scared.
I pretty much always use long-tail, unless instructed otherwise, and figure-eight for toe-up socks. I used to just do your regular castoff but have discovered the surprisingly stretchy bind-off and decrease bind-off.
Hmm. I like the surprisingly stretchy B0. I obviously don’t remember the name of it, but I always remember how it goes, which is why I love it!
And my day is going great! I just wrote about six pages of a story which took me approximately…six hours? Progress!
I’d love to learn a few new cast-ons, just because. g
I like long tail cast on, but use others if they will work better. I’m amazed that there are 54 options out there though! 54! Man I feel uneducated now:)
My default cast on is the long tail. I was taught that one as a child and my fingers just naturally go to it. If I need to do a provisional cast on, I use some cotton yarn, do the long tail, knit a few rows and then switch to the project yarn.
Infintely better than the past two weeks.
This looks like the best book ever! I tend to use knitted cast on because it is easy and a stretchy bind off that I have to look up on utube every time I need it.
I would love to win a copy of this book!
My favorite cast on is a crochet cast on and then a ‘regular’ bind off, where you knit a stitch and slip that knit stitch over the next stitch etc. I am sooooo interested in this book, because I seriously google new and MATCHING Cast ons and Bind offs and have such a hard time to find a good resource.
Long tail cast on is my favorite but that is mainly for socks. I haven’t learned many others and I think the first one I ever learned was the backwards loop?
Knitting swallowtail, watching Firefly.. Day is good
I cast on the way I learned, long-tail. I will try and figure something out if the pattern calls for it but I prefer lon-tail. And I bind off the same way you do, but I did learn how to do a 3-needle bind-off and felt very clever when I did! I also feel very clever every time I use Kitchener!
Gotta love such a specialized book! After a couple of decades of knitting, I recently used the knit on cast on for the first time, and was surprised by how much I like it. I’ve also learned to be very fond of a stretchy bind-off frequently used for shawls by Rosemary Hill.
The book I learned from called my preferred cast on a “loop cast on.”. It’s the simplest there is! I usually use a standard cast off, except for Kitchener on socks, and some stretchy cast off I learned on the Internet for fingerless gloves.
I almost always do long-tail cast-on, but I would love to figure out a different one. This book sounds wonderful because of the help it gives in figuring out what cast-on would be best for the project. For cast-off, my current favorite is Jeny’s super stretch bind-off.
I like the Twisted German cast-on for socks, but otherwise usually use long-tail or cable cast-on. I’d love to have a lovely reference book like this.
I mostly use Old Norwegian to cast on, my favorite stretchy bind off is: knit two stitches, slip both back to left needle, knit together through the back loops. I got it from Grumperina’s blog.
The long tail cast on and the traditional cast off are my go-tos. If the pattern calls for a different technique *and* tells me why, I’ll struggle through. This reference book sounds great!
I would love to win this book. The ONLY cast on I know is the long tail and I just recently learned how to do it all by myself. (yay me)
🙂
I desperately need to get to grips with some kind of provisional cast-on (preferably before next week). meanwhile, I heart long-tail (after not understanding why one would bother until I saw it for myself).
I think this book looks marvelous. So many different ways to cast on and bind off–who knew? I mostly crochet, but love to learn more about knitting too! I’d love an opportunity to have this book.
i know 3 cast ons- one is the one-needle and use your thumb… don’t know the name. the second is (i think) a knitted cast on- the one with 2 needles but only thru the back look as if knitting, and a cable cast on- which is now my favorite one. it looks pretty and seems nice and sturdy to me. bind offs- i know 3 needle bind off for socks, and knitted bind off. but i would love to learn them all!
I like the provisional cast on in Knitting from the Top – you use scrap yarn and do this funky over and under thing and voilà, stitches appear. for a stretchy castoff I like the one where you knit 2 then k them together through the back loop again. But I usually use long tail cast on and normal cast off, unless I am in need of stretchiness.
I think the cast-on I almost always use is the Norwegian long tail. It was taught to me years ago and it’s ingrained in my fingers, I think. Cast off, I’m pretty plain Jane but sometimes I K1, P1, pass stitch over. Or whatever my ribbing is. I do have the Kitchener stitch mastered and don’t consult my cheat sheet if that counts as a bind off. I may have to break down and buy the book. 🙂 Karen G
I use the Norwegian cast-on (that looks like you’re doing cat’s-cradle) for socks, and knitted cast-on for everything else.
I prefer the k2tog bind-off (k2tog, put that stitch back on the left needle, k2tog, put that stitch back on the left needle, repeat across) because it’s stretchier and by the time I am binding off I am *done* with that sucker and tend to pull tightly. This way I cast off more loosely and I like the edge effect.
My favorite cast-on is the long-tail cast-on. I’d love to learn more cast-ons and bind-offs. Thanks for the chance to win!
I like the twisted cast on, like long tail but you do an extra loop with your fingers & all the stitches twist. I find it extra-stretchy.
I’m sad and worried and a tiny bit excited but it’s getting squashed under all the worry right now. We are moving down near you, to San Francisco. I don’t know where to live or go and so we spent all weekend going to different neighborhoods, seeing if we liked walking around them and whether there were decent grocery stores nearby. It’s just a huge change, and I admit I’m very comfortable here in Portland. I don’t know how our cat will take moving down there, and I can’t bring any of my plants, and I am overwhelmed at all the crap I own and trying to get rid of it all. bleh. So that is my day. I hope yours is better, and that you have a lovely vacation!
I know lots of cast ons and bind offs but, when faced with a new project, why can I only remember two?!
This would be a lovely reference book and cute too.
long tail cast on is my go to way. I recently learned a way to do it with the two ends of the ball so I don’t have to try to figure out how much for a tail I need. this book would be a fabulous way to keep learning new tricks.
I’ve just bought the book, and just in time too. I needed to do a provisional cast on for the Quince & Co Bristol’s Cowl so I used the one from the book with the cable from a circular needle and it was brilliant! When I needed to use the cast on stitches I just screwed on a needle tip and knitted the stiches together – so quick and simple.
Long tail is my Rav. This looks like a vital reference
I use the knitted cast on. This looks like a good reference book to broaden the old horizons!
I’d love to win and broaden my horizons!
I know for a fact that I should know the long-tailed cast on…for some reason I resist taking the time to learn…..yet I make sure I do knit! I would love to have such a beautiful reference book in my knitting library and I would promise to learn more proper ways gettingthose stitches on my needles!
Long tail and provisional cast on. I just taught myself JMCO but it needs some work. Thanks for the chance to win this book!
I would love to win this book. The only cast on I know is long tail and I only just recently learned how to do it all by myself. (yay me)
I hope I win 🙂
I’d LOVE a copy of this book! I was just thinking ‘Somebody should really collect all the cast ons and bind offs into one place so I’d have a resource!’
I only know two cast-ons! The long-tail cast-on, and a circular cast-on for starting circle shawls. I would love to have this book!
I’m stuck in a bind on and cast off rut – I could definitely use this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
I usually use the Twisted German cast-on and the p2tog bind-off (I forget its name!). I need to expand my horizons, I guess!!
I would love to win this book. It looks like the ultimate resource for COs and BOs!
I always use cable cast on, but man do I need some new options! would love to win!
I usually use the long-tail cast on, very rarely do I stray from that. If a bind off isn’t specified then I usually use the knit 2, pass one over bind off. Thanks for the opportunity!
I learned to cast on with a long tail but never use it any more. I use a knitted cast on so i never have to worry about running out of tail
My favourite stretchy cast-on for socks is the oh so not descriptively named English Cast0on #2 in Nancy Bush’s Folk Socks. I want to learn more and this book sounds wonderful.
Hope its not too late. My fave is cable cast on.
I read this book at the library and love it. I use an odd crochet cast-on usually and it’s in her book. She must have everything in there!
I love this book!Thanks for the give away!