Photo / Diagram Tutorial: Double Estonian Cast On

A while ago, I made a photo tutorial for the Estonian Cast On. The Double Estonian Cast On is a simple variation of this. The edge is thicker and more decorative. It is ideal for 1 x 1 and 2 x 2 ribbing, as it wraps the base of the ribbing columns. It is firm, but stretchy - this makes it a great cast on for socks.

My Little Duck socks that I blogged about last week used the Double Estonian Cast On.

The actual cast on is the same for both the single and double Estonian Cast on. It's just the starting bit that's a little different.

1. As for any long tail cast on, measure out a long tail. I tend to use 1 inch per stitch for thicker yarn and 1/2 inch per stitch for DK weight and thinner; plus another 6 inches for luck! 
   
   
   
2. Instead of making a slip knot, fold the yarn again to the same length that you've measured. You should have 3 lengths folded instead of 2 for a long tailed cast on. Leave a bit extra at the tail end for sewing in the end.

3. Make a slip knot about 6 inches in from the tail, using two strands. This will leave two loops on your needle.
   
4. It should look something like this before you put it on the needle.
   
5. And look like this when it's on the needle.
   
   
   
   And real life photo to show you what it should look like.
   
   
   
   
   
6. The double stranded part should be at the front of the needle and goes around your thumb and the strand attached to the ball goes around your forefinger.
   
   
7. The double stranded slip knot counts as 1 stitch only
   
   
   
I'll repeat the original tutorial now. Though it will be slightly different because to make the wraps sit at the base of 2 x 2 columns, the first stitch needs to be done with the yarn wrapped clockwise first. The original tutorial was based on a 1 x 1 where it doesn't matter which way you go first ( so apologies for the photos having an extra stitch on them ).
 
1. Place your hand into the sling shot position (like a long tailed cast on) but wrap the thumb yarn clockwise around your thumb.







2. Insert your needle into the loop on your thumb from top to bottom







3. Reach across over the top of the strand on your forefinger.







4. Scoop this loop back through the loop on the thumb.





5. Drop loop from the thumb and tighten stitch onto needle (again, not too tight). There should be a bar across the base of the cast on and the stitch just made.


6. Place your fingers between the strands and tilt your hand back into a catapult position. This creates a cross on the thumb strand (the yarn goes anti-clockwise around your thumb).



7. Insert your needle into the loop around your thumb from below.





8. Reach across over the top of the strand on your forefinger.





9. Scoop this loop back through the loop on the thumb.





10. Drop the thumb strand and tighten the stitch onto the needle (not too tight though). You may recognise the previous steps, as it's the same as a regular long-tailed cast on.


Repeat steps 1-10 until you have your required number of stitches. Remember, the two loops for the slip knot count as 1 stitch.


For a sock, make sure you have the wraps on the right side of the work. This means that if you normally join in the round by swapping the first and last stitches, then the work will be facing the wrong way.

Little Ducks

I showed you a work in progress photo of my Little Duck Socks recently. Blogged here

They are now finished with plenty of time for Christmas.

The duck stitch pattern is from Mary Jane Mucklestone's 150 Scandinavian Knitting Designs. I did her workshop a few months ago. This is the first of lots of project ideas from the book.

The rest of the sock is my design. I reversed the ducks for each sock (just for added cuteness!).

Mainly the socks were worked on 2.5mm needles - my new Nova Cubics DPNs, which I really enjoying working with. The stranded sections were done on a 3.00mm, so they didn't pinch in at that point. The change in gauge is obvious to me, especially on the toe but it does make them fit better ( I suppose I could have increased stitches instead - maybe next time).

I used a Double Estonian Cast On for the ribbing. I've been using the single Estonian Cast On for most ribbing at the moment, it makes a firm but stretchy cast on - plus it's quite decorative. I made a photo tutorial for the single Estonian Cast On here. I have plans to add an extra tutorial to this for the Double Estonian Cast On.

The other project swiftly on then off the needles again was Tricsi by Asa Tricosa. I used Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester DK in gold. The pattern is very unusual. It's a top down cardigan. There isn't a seam at all on it, which is good. This does make it a complicated pattern though. However, it is a very detailed pattern with photos to guide you through the unusual construction. I didn't have any problems with it. The only slowing down point was Step 8, which explains all the increases up to where you separate for the sleeves. The instructions are all there but it's explained about 3 different ways including a chart. This is good and bad. The information is all there but you really do need to read through all of step 8 (as suggested) before you continue. 

I loved not having to pick up the neckband, it's all worked in as you go. There is a little bit of picking up but hardly any that go into double figures, so easy to work in.

I loved the fluted ribbing (it's not a standard rib but very pretty) on the back and on the sleeves.

The cardigan is for a friend who is expecting in January but we've no idea what gender the baby is so I'm hoping this would suit either.

Photo Tutorial: Estonian Cast On

I've recently been looking into different cast on methods. I've tried quite a few and they've all got their purpose but I have taken quite a fancy to the Estonian Cast On (a.k.a. Double Start, Latvian). It's quite simple to execute, it's stretchy and can be quite decorative too.

It works well with 1 x 1 and 2 x 2 ribbing because it wraps around the base of the column of ribbing. It's a super cast on for socks.

The tutorial is for the single strand method.

1. Measure out a long tail. I tend to use 1 inch per stitch for thicker yarn and 1/2 inch per stitch for DK weight and thinner; plus another 6 inches for luck! Make a slip knot and place on your needle.

2. Place your fingers between the strands and tilt your hand back into a catapult position. This creates a cross on the thumb strand.

3. Insert your needle into the loop around your thumb from below.

4. Reach across over the top of the strand on your forefinger.

5. Scoop this loop back through the loop on the thumb.

6. Drop the thumb strand and tighten the stitch onto the needle (not too tight though). You may recognise the previous steps, as it's the same as a regular long-tailed cast on.

7. Here's where it's different to the long-tail cast on. Now place your hand back into the sling shot position but wrap the thumb yarn clockwise around your thumb.

8. Insert your needle into the loop on your thumb from top to bottom.

9. Reach across over the top of the strand on your forefinger.

10. Scoop this loop back through the loop on the thumb.

11. Drop loop from the thumb and tighten stitch onto needle. (again, not too tight). There should be a bar across the base of these two stitches.

12. Repeat steps 2-11 until you have your required number of stitches.

This method can also be done with two strands of yarn around the thumb. This creates a thicker, more decorative edge.

I'm definitely going to use the Estonian Cast On for my next pair of socks.