Uploaded August 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Double Chain Cast-On produces an edge that is very stretchy, very neat, and which looks exactly the same on both the "right" side and the "wrong" side, with a neat double-chain that looks similar to an I-cord.
This cast-on can be a little fiddly, but it is well worth your time to learn. With a little practice and this video, you'll be looking forward to using this cast-on for your next project.
Step-by-step instructions: interweave.com/article/knitting/how-to-double-chain-cast-on-knitting
This cast-on is sometimes known as the Chinese Waitress Cast-on. This name is problematic—we simultaneously wish to honor that this cast-on came to the English-speaking knitting world via a Chinese woman (a waitress in Beijing taught Cap Sease’s friend this cast-on) while acknowledging that this name is extremely reductive. In light of recent increases in attacks on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, we have decided to call it the Double Chain Cast-on and explain the history of the technique.
Thank you to Ancient Arts Yarns for providing the yarn used for these samples. This sample was made with Herlig.
The Double Chain Cast-On produces an edge that is very stretchy, very neat, and which looks exactly the same on both the "right" side and the "wrong" side, with a neat double-chain that looks similar to an I-cord.
This cast-on can be a little fiddly, but it is well worth your time to learn. With a little practice and this video, you'll be looking forward to using this cast-on for your next project.
Step-by-step instructions: interweave.com/article/knitting/how-to-double-chain-cast-on-knitting
This cast-on is sometimes known as the Chinese Waitress Cast-on. This name is problematic—we simultaneously wish to honor that this cast-on came to the English-speaking knitting world via a Chinese woman (a waitress in Beijing taught Cap Sease’s friend this cast-on) while acknowledging that this name is extremely reductive. In light of recent increases in attacks on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, we have decided to call it the Double Chain Cast-on and explain the history of the technique.
Thank you to Ancient Arts Yarns for providing the yarn used for these samples. This sample was made with Herlig.
