Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this DROPS video we show you how to cast on, so that the visible stitches around the cast on edge are knit 1 and purl 1. This is called Italian cast on. The video shows casting on back and forth in rows.
BEFORE STARTING THE VIDEO:
If the piece is worked in the round, we recommend that the casting on includes support rows worked back and forth, after which the piece is joined and continued in the round. This is because it is easy to twist the piece around the needles when working Italian cast on with support rows.
If there are edge stitches/band stitches, these stitches are cast on in the normal way.
Then work Italian cast on with knit 1 and purl 1 until the correct number of stitches is obtained, finishing with edge stitches/band stitches cast on in the normal way (i.e., the loop stitch and the finishing stitch are replaced with normal stitches).
The number of stitches to be cast on should be:
1 loop stitch (= start) + even number of stitches (purl 1 and knit 1) + 1 stitch to finish the casting on.
Pull the strand out from the ball (approx. 40-80 cm strand to cast on 20 stitches depending on the yarn types and needle size). This allows you to cast on with 2 strands.
A = strand from the ball, B = strand end.
THE VIDEO SHOWS:
Lay strands A and B around the left hand as follows:
A: The strand from the ball is taken to the outside of the thumb.
B: The strand end is taken over the index finger and into the hand.
The other fingers hold the strands together in the hand, but not too tightly.
You have 3 strands in your left hand:
Strand-1 = in front of thumb.
Strand-2 = between thumb and index finger.
Strand-3 = after the index finger.
CAST ON 1 LOOP STITCH:
Pick up the needle with your right hand and take it over strand-2, pull approx. 5 cm out from your hand so Strand-2 is: 1 strand in front of the needle (= strand-4) and 1 strand behind the needle (= Strand-5). Bring the needle towards you and under Strand-4, then up = 1 loop stitch (lies around the needle).
PURL 1 AS FOLLOWS:
Take the needle over, behind and under Strand-5, then forward, under and up in front of Strand-4, down between Strand-4 and Strand-5, finally up behind Strand-5 = 1 purled stitch.
KNIT 1 AS FOLLOWS:
Take the needle in front and down under Strand-4, then up between Strand-4 and Strand-5, over and behind Strand-5, forwards and under Strand-4, then up = 1 knitted stitch.
Continue like this with purl 1 and knit 1 to the required number of stitches.
CAST ON 1 STITCH TO FINISH:
Take the needle down and under Strand-1, up between Strand-1 and Strand-4, then slip the stitch onto the right needle.
NUMBER OF CAST ON STITCHES:
The number of stitches should be: 1 loop stitch + even number of stitches + 1 stitch to finish.
WORK AS FOLLOWS:
FIRST SUPPORT ROW (= wrong side):
* Knit 1, take the strand in front of the needle and slip the purled stitch purl wise onto the right needle *, work from *-* until there are 2 stitches left, knit 1, purl the loop stitch, turn.
SECOND SUPPORT ROW (= right side):
* Knit 1, take the strand in front of the needle and slip the purled stitch purl wise onto the right needle *, work from *-* until there are 2 stitches left, knit 1 and purl 1.
AFTER THE SECOND SUPPORT ROW, CONTINUE AS FOLLOWS:
Knit above knit and purl above purl to the correct measurement.
INFO TO THE VIDEO:
This video has NO SOUND. The yarn used in this video is DROPS Snow (100% wool). Find more than 10.000 free patterns and tutorial videos at garnstudio.com
In this DROPS video we show you how to cast on, so that the visible stitches around the cast on edge are knit 1 and purl 1. This is called Italian cast on. The video shows casting on back and forth in rows.
BEFORE STARTING THE VIDEO:
If the piece is worked in the round, we recommend that the casting on includes support rows worked back and forth, after which the piece is joined and continued in the round. This is because it is easy to twist the piece around the needles when working Italian cast on with support rows.
If there are edge stitches/band stitches, these stitches are cast on in the normal way.
Then work Italian cast on with knit 1 and purl 1 until the correct number of stitches is obtained, finishing with edge stitches/band stitches cast on in the normal way (i.e., the loop stitch and the finishing stitch are replaced with normal stitches).
The number of stitches to be cast on should be:
1 loop stitch (= start) + even number of stitches (purl 1 and knit 1) + 1 stitch to finish the casting on.
Pull the strand out from the ball (approx. 40-80 cm strand to cast on 20 stitches depending on the yarn types and needle size). This allows you to cast on with 2 strands.
A = strand from the ball, B = strand end.
THE VIDEO SHOWS:
Lay strands A and B around the left hand as follows:
A: The strand from the ball is taken to the outside of the thumb.
B: The strand end is taken over the index finger and into the hand.
The other fingers hold the strands together in the hand, but not too tightly.
You have 3 strands in your left hand:
Strand-1 = in front of thumb.
Strand-2 = between thumb and index finger.
Strand-3 = after the index finger.
CAST ON 1 LOOP STITCH:
Pick up the needle with your right hand and take it over strand-2, pull approx. 5 cm out from your hand so Strand-2 is: 1 strand in front of the needle (= strand-4) and 1 strand behind the needle (= Strand-5). Bring the needle towards you and under Strand-4, then up = 1 loop stitch (lies around the needle).
PURL 1 AS FOLLOWS:
Take the needle over, behind and under Strand-5, then forward, under and up in front of Strand-4, down between Strand-4 and Strand-5, finally up behind Strand-5 = 1 purled stitch.
KNIT 1 AS FOLLOWS:
Take the needle in front and down under Strand-4, then up between Strand-4 and Strand-5, over and behind Strand-5, forwards and under Strand-4, then up = 1 knitted stitch.
Continue like this with purl 1 and knit 1 to the required number of stitches.
CAST ON 1 STITCH TO FINISH:
Take the needle down and under Strand-1, up between Strand-1 and Strand-4, then slip the stitch onto the right needle.
NUMBER OF CAST ON STITCHES:
The number of stitches should be: 1 loop stitch + even number of stitches + 1 stitch to finish.
WORK AS FOLLOWS:
FIRST SUPPORT ROW (= wrong side):
* Knit 1, take the strand in front of the needle and slip the purled stitch purl wise onto the right needle *, work from *-* until there are 2 stitches left, knit 1, purl the loop stitch, turn.
SECOND SUPPORT ROW (= right side):
* Knit 1, take the strand in front of the needle and slip the purled stitch purl wise onto the right needle *, work from *-* until there are 2 stitches left, knit 1 and purl 1.
AFTER THE SECOND SUPPORT ROW, CONTINUE AS FOLLOWS:
Knit above knit and purl above purl to the correct measurement.
INFO TO THE VIDEO:
This video has NO SOUND. The yarn used in this video is DROPS Snow (100% wool). Find more than 10.000 free patterns and tutorial videos at garnstudio.com
