figure 8 cast-on help

[annie2]

have the general idea of this figure 8 cast on ..but..need some technique help as to: how to hold the two needles while knitting the stitches..will use this for toe of sock...thanks, annie

[ekgheiy]

have the general idea of this figure 8 cast on ..but..need some technique help as to: how to hold the two needles while knitting the stitches..will use this for toe of sock...thanks, annie

Figure 8 cast on :?: What's that?

Here's what I do to hold the needles while knitting the stitch...
Quoted from my post at the TKGA Message Board (http://www.tkga.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001454)


Here's what I do:
First, I do have a somewhat elaborate way of holding the yarn. I wrap the yarn around my pinky (sp?) once, drape over my ring finger, then under my middle finger, the over my index (closer to the nail part). My pinky holds the needle and keeps the yarn tension: If I need less slack, I'll squish my pinky against my ring finger; If I need more slack, I'll move my pinky away from my ring finger. My ring finger holds the right needle, but it also helps with yarn tension by being a wall for my pinky ... but I guess that's an indirect usage? Hmmm... My middle finger holds the needle. If the pattern requires more maneuvering (ssk, for example), my middle finger helps my index. My index finger wraps the yarn around the right needle. My thumb holds the right needle and keeps the stitches from falling off of the needle too

Basically, like Emmasmom, my thumb and ring finger do not leave the needle, but my middle finger sometimes will. And my pinky doesn't really let go of the needle per se; if/when it moves, it does so parallel to and in contact with the needle.

The only active finger on my left hand is my index. It keeps the stitches from falling off the needle. All the others hold the needle.



Hope that helps or at least gives you some ideas :?

[salsa]

The "figure 8 cast-on" instructions that I've seen on the net (eg here: http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffnstasia/sox2.htm) look exactly the same as what I've also seen called a "provisional cast-on". Maybe someone will set me straight, but I believe they're the same in effect.

Amy has a video for doing a provisional cast-on:

http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/index.php (second video from the end)

This is what I use for toe-up socks and it works a treat. I hope Amy's video helps you...

[LauraT]

This site has nice illustrations describing the method in question.

http://www.theyarnco.com/cast_on.php

I use this method. It gives a nice, elastic edge. I also cast onto BOTH needles simultaneously; it's easier to work the first row of stitches. Stack one vertically on top of the other.

Laura

[mmhouse04]

have the general idea of this figure 8 cast on ..but..need some technique help as to: how to hold the two needles while knitting the stitches..will use this for toe of sock...thanks, annie

[MaryS]

From the yarnco site it looks like figure 8 caston is our old favorite - long tail cast on (it's MY favorite). This makes sense because your needle moves in a figure eight as you make each stitch. Amy has a great video of this in the basis techniques section.

HAPPY CASTING ON!!

Mary

[Ingrid]

If you're talking about a provisional cast-on--the yarn moves in a figure eight for that one, too, I don't recall any special needle holding technique. You hold the yarn like you do for long-tail in your left hand and hold the 'waste' yarn against the needle with your right.

If that's too confusing ( I hate it) you can crochet a chain and cast on to that. When you're ready to weave the stitches together, you take out the chain.

[kemp]

I'm not sure if I do it totally right, but I have been using figure 8 cast on for toe up baby socks. I basically just wrap the yarn figure 8 style around/between the 2 needles than then start knitting. Using number 2 needles, I did find it rather difficult to get started. Once you get the first time around knitted though, it is much easier. I'm not sure there is an *easy* way to hold it in the beginning...especially when you are using really small needles!