Garter Tab Cast on Tutorial

My favourite method for casting on a triangular shawl is the 'garter tab cast on' as it gives a straight neat edge. My new pattern is to be released later this week (update: it's here!) and includes just such a cast-on, so for anyone who isn't familiar with this, or who needs a refresher, here's a step by step guide.  It's very simple when you know how and I've used a coloured yarn which should make it easier to make out where the different stitches start out and end up!

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I usually use a long tail cast on, but unless specified in the pattern, any cast-on method you like is fine. For the purposes of the tutorial I'm using 2 stitches and six rows for the cast on, but this may vary in other patterns.

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At this point, the knitting will probably want to twist up on itself, so just give it a little wiggle to straighten it and then lay it flat to clearly see the 'bumps' you will pick up to knit.

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You're almost done - just one more rotation and a few stitches to go!

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The 'bumps' on the cast-on edge may not be so easy to see, if you are a tight knitter. Take your time. 

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The stitches are now ready for the 'set up' row and placement of your stitch markers! 

5 comments

  1. Really good tutorial, I wish it had been around when I was first struggling with garter tabs!

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  2. This is a new one for me so I'll look out for your new pattern. Good tutorial!

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    ReplyDelete
  4. I've done this cast on twice now but I still find picking up stitches from the bumps on the long side a mystery! Which part of the bump is the one to pick up? I just pick up some piece of yarn somewhere in the bump and move on...

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    1. I used yarn which changes colour so hopefully you can see if you take another look at Step 2 and Step 3....

      ....in the left and right sts on picture 2 (not so clear on the middle st), there is a darker strand on each of the 'bumps' - it is those I pick up, although I'm not sure it makes a lot of difference which bit you pick up as long as it's uniform for all the stitches. Hope that helps.

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