3 Pin Method of Casting On

Are you fed up with cuffs being too tight?

This method of casting on was taught to me by my mother. It is for Knit 1 Purl 1 rib casting on and gives a more elastic edge.

You need a pair of needles a size larger than those you will be using for your rib knitting, and a pair of needles in the size you need for the rib. You also need some wool in an alternative colour. 

one row alternative yarn 

1. In the alternative colour and using the larger needles, cast on half the number of stitches plus one.  
For odd number of stitches  round down e.g.  for 101 stitches you need to cast on 51 stitches
For an even number of stitches e.g.  for 100 stitches you would also cast on  51 stitches  

2.  Knit 1 row.   Cut the alternative colour leaving a good length of thread and loosely knot on the colour you will be using for your garment.

3. Still using the larger needles work 3 more rows as follows, ( Purl 1 row, Knit 1 row, Purl 1 row)

4. On the wrong side there are loops where the yarn has been changed.

Pick up loops from the top to the bottom

work along the row

Picked up loops

Using a smaller needle pick up loops of the main yarn from top to bottom, ( in the direction from the top of the work to the cast on edge.)


Continue along the row picking up the loops. There is one less stitch on the smaller needle than on the larger one in the 100 stitch example there would be 51 stitches on the larger needle and 50 on the smaller one. This gives a total of 101 stitches. If 100 stitches are required the last 2 stitches would  need to be worked together when making the rib.


5. Make the rib by knitting a stitch from the larger front needle, then purling the stitch on the smaller back needle.  (Knitting the front stitch through the back of the stitch will give a twisted rib)

Knit from the front 

Purl from the back

If you need an even number of stitches you will have to work the last two stitches together on this row.

Finished cast on edge with alternate yarn still attached

6.  Undo the knot  and cut the alternate yarn at the other end of the row.  Gently pull the alternate yarn out of the row.

Cut the alternate yarn

Undo the knot and pull the alternate yarn out

Finished Cast On Edge

The finished cast on edge is more elastic than traditional methods of casting on,

Happy knitting

Bev