Alternating 2 color long tail cast on

A two color cast-on based on the long tail cast on method . Useful for double knitting or casting on in pattern. The opposite color of course shows on each side of the work; a downfall for this cast on.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• two
• color
• colors
• long
• tail
• cast
• on
• cast-on
• double
• knitting
• knit

[BeStrixed]

Hi, Is the white stitch (the traditional long tail co) a knit stitch and the red (reverse stitch) the purl?

So when finished casting on, we turn the  work and then purl the white stitches and knit the reds?

Thanks!

[MarleneD1216]

@BeStrixed This method produces the same cast as a regular long tail cast on. This cast-on makes a "right side" row or a knit row. Patterns generally do not consider the long tail cast on as Row 1 though. As far as I know a cast on that actually produces alternating knits and purls does not exist.

I hope this answers your question; if not, please message me with more information on what pattern you are doing or the effect you are trying to achieve.

[BeStrixed]

@MarleneD1216

Hi, Thanks for responding :). I just wanted to know: Is the white stitch a knit or a purl? There are cast ons which produce knits and purls (such as provisional cast on) But thanks for answering honestly. Normally, a knit and purl looks obvious, but for some reason, I, personally, have a hard time seeing it with this particular cast on :^)

[MarleneD1216]

@BeStrixed Yes, I agree that it is hard to tell that the first row is supposed to be knit stitches, but ALL of the stitches you make when casting on this way are considered knit stitches so when you turn your work you are looking at purl stitches. :) Thanks for watching and commenting!

[lovetoknit1]

I was wondering how you would cast on using two colors, with more than one stitch of each color. Like five of one color and five of another color. I was trying for figure out a way to make a square pattern.

[MarleneD1216]

@lovetoknit1 Oh and it will be a bit fussy to start with since the blocks don't really get attached well until after about 3 rows. The stitch of the color dropped will stay loose until it's worked again that because the end isn't attached yet. So when you go to work it, you'll have to give it a little tug to whip it into shape :)

A normal bind off knit bind off (knit one, pass previous stitch over) is good for color blocks. You'll have to weave in each colors end on the bind off and the cast on

[Carrie82157]

Wonderful! I've always wanted to know how to do that. So easy! Thanks so much.

[tzinoka]

Oh my gosh. You have made my double-knit worries disappear. Thank you!! This was super easy to understand. (:

[royalic]

My Christmas presents will now be 1000x awesomer, thanks!

[HystericalParoxysm]

Thanks very much!  This is super helpful and easy to understand... and you have really pretty nails!

[starkid]

THANKYOU this was so helpful :D

[lovetoknit1]

@MarleneD1216 Thank you for the information. I thought thats the way to do it.

[MarleneD1216]

@lovetoknit1 For color blocks you would simply cast on each color then on your next row/round you have to lock the stitches. To lock them you simply make sure the yarn end of the color you just finished lies on top of the yarn end you are about to knit with before making your next st (both yarns r back for knit & forward for knit like normal); this traps the old yarn behind the new stitch. My "Intarsia Basics" video might be helpful, since that is really what you are doing but with out slants :)