Tubular Cast-On

Instructions for working the Tubular Cast-On (demonstrated in the video above):

Using scrap yarn and the Backwards Loop Cast-On, cast-on half the number of total stitches you want. Break yarn.
Using your main yarn:
Row 1: *K1, YO*, repeat between *s across all stitches. (If you have an odd number of stitches, end with K1.)
Row 2: *with yarn in front, slip 1 purlwise; K1*, repeat between *s across all stitches.
Row 3: *K1; with yarn in front, slip 1 purlwise*, repeat between *s across all stitches.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 once more.
Pick out scrap yarn.

25 comments on “Tubular Cast-On

  1. Dear Stacy

    You are the best instructor. I finally got it. Your way is the easiest simplest and it is a true pleasure to listen to you.
    I love everything from your appearance, sense of humor, knowledge the way you present the work, and to read in your blog that you are feisty not letting anyone take advantage of you.
    Thank you
    Yael

  2. Thank you so much for this, I’ve been struggling with this cast-on, now I think I can finally do it! I would like to know the best way to join, however, for working in the round.

    Keep up the great work!

  3. Stacy,

    Having watched quite a few youtube videos on different knitting techniques I would have to say that yours are some of the best. This is a great way to do this cast on, but could you please show how you do it for k2 p2 rib? I have found one that is pretty good, but doesn’t quite have that “coming out of nothing” look!

    cheers

  4. Dear Staci – thank you so much for this video! I used this for a sweater and kept thinking “what a great cast-on for socks!” So, tonight I attempted this cast-on in the round and…success!! After the two riws of k1, p1, I launched into the ribbing the sock pattern called for and it looks great! So happy!!!!!

  5. Would you say this is the best cast-on for socks? I have chunky ankles and am looking for the perfect stretchy cast-on that won’t constrict my circulation!!

  6. Hi Bayla – yes, this would be a good cast-on for socks, making for an extra stretchy cuff top. You can always give it a try, knit the cuff of the sock for a couple of inches, and try it on to see how you like it, before you finish the rest of the sock.

    S t a c i

  7. Thanks. How does it compare to the German Twisted which I believe is another stretchy cast-on?

  8. Help, I’m struggling! At what stage do I transfer my stitches to my dpns & knit the rib as directed in the pattern?

  9. Bayla – I’ve just added written instructions to this cast-on under the video. You want to work all 5 rows, then pick out your scrap yarn. Then you’ll be ready to continue on with your pattern. There is no need to ever use DPNs for this cast-on…that is just how I demonstrated it in this video.

    S t a c i

  10. So I knit straight and then move my stitches to my four dpns to knit my socks in the round and then sew up that little bit of the cuff at the end?

  11. Bayla – sorry…I wasn’t considering that you were doing this in-the-round, for socks. You’ll want to join this and start out with Row 1 of the cast-on on DPNs, and knitting in-the-round. You’ll also want to reverse the instructions for Row 2 – knitting the purls and purling the knits. I don’t have time to test knit this right now to check it for you…I realize that the instructions are going to be different, especially if half of your intended stitches are an odd number. Hopefully you have time to test it out.

    S t a c i

  12. Hi Stacy,

    Thanks very much for your video. However, the pattern I’m knitting asked for tubular cast on of 110 sts and join in the round. Can I use your method?

  13. Genevieve – yes. You should be able to change Row 2 to slipping with yarn in back and work this in-the-round. But I’m sure you can find row by row instructions for working this…sorry, I haven’t test knit it myself.

    S t a c i

  14. Love your videos, love you! Would you please check the video for the tubular cast on? The audio loads but the video just flashes on and goes away. All of your other videos load perfectly.
    Thank you for all your help!

  15. Oh My Gosh, Your video finally made the tubular cast on clear for me!!! Thank you so much!!

  16. Hi Staci–

    Thank you as always for your wonderfully clear instructions on how to do this cast on! You are the best!

  17. I would like to second the request for instructions for joining a tubular cast on in the round. I just started a sweater pattern with a tubular cast on, and while I *think* I followed the written instructions for joining it correctly, I’m not entirely satisfied with the join. It won’t be obvious in the completed sweater, but there’s a bit of a jog, and I’d love to know if there’s a better way. I have to say, all things considered, that the cast on is very attractive, and I’d be tempted to use it more – for socks, for instance (where the joining jog would be more noticeable) – if I had a better way to join the round.

    As always, thanks for all your generous work here!

  18. Thank you for demystifying the how to behind this bind off. I will need to practice as it is plays a major role in a KAL this month, a seamless top-down cardigan finished with tubular bind offs.

    Also, what is the name of the pattern of the scarf you are wearing so beautifully? Thanks for the info.

  19. Hi Staci

    Thanks or making your instructions so clear. You are the best knitting instructed out there.

    I would very much appreciate if you would demonstrate the tubular cast-on using circular needles for a double sided beanie that is reversible. Is it even possible for to those 3 techniques to be combined?? Thank you for your time. Have a wonderful holiday season.

    • In reference to the message I just posted about a demonstration of tubular cast-on using circular needles for a reversible beanie – Can mirrored images be incorporated into that like your Harry Potter bookmark video?

      Thanks again. Karen

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