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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. 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!  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. Make a slip knot about 6 inches in fro...

 I've been experimenting recently with Adobe Illustrator. It's an amazing piece of software; there are a few tutorials around on how to make knitting illustrations but I wasn't 100% happy with it as I was sure there was an easier way. I have no experience or training in Illustrator so this is amateur hour. This is what I figured out to produce the illustration below: I'm assuming you know the basics of illustrator such as how to draw shapes and change the stroke and fill. 1. First, using the pen tool, draw a knit stitch like the diagram below. There needs to be a stroke colour but make sure there is no fill. 2. Change the stroke weight to about 5pt. 3. Change the stroke to outline stroke by selecting Object --> Path --> Outline Stroke 4. Make sure the stroke stands out so change it to about 1pt and change the colour to black (or any colour you prefer) and change fill to your desired colour; I picked grey. There does need to be a fill colour otherwise the following...