Become a Knitting Superstar™
Become a Knitting Superstar™
Become a Knitting Superstar™
Become a Knitting Superstar™
Become a Knitting Superstar™

Multicolor Cast-Ons

My Classes » Guide to Cast-Ons » Multicolor Cast-Ons

Multicolor Cast-Ons

There are seven multicolor cast-ons to choose from in this section, and most of them are dead easy. I encourage you to try these because they are way easier than they look – there’s absolutely no reason not to start your next two-color project with a multicolor cast-on.

The twined cast-on is the toughest, but that’s only because it’s designed for two-color ribbing, so knitting the first row gets complex and requires familiarity with Fair-Isle techniques.

One Contrasting-Color Edge – Two Ways

The easiest way to create a contrasting-color edge is to tie two colors of yarn together in a slipknot and use them to do any kind of long-tail cast-on.

The yarn that goes over your thumb will be the color that creates the contrasting edge.


More Info:

 

In the example on the left, the Long-Tail Cast-On was used. This creates a simple stripe.

In the example on the right, the Old Norwegian cast-on was used. This creates a thicker stripe.


Two-Color Cast-On with Corded or Braided Edge

To make a two-color edge, two colors of yarn are used together in a Long-Tail Cast-On and the strands are rotated between each cast-on stitch.


More Info:

2-Color Cast-On: Corded
2-Color Cast-On: Braided

To create the two-color corded cast-on (left), rotate the yarns counterclockwise.

To create the two-color braided cast-on (right), rotate the yarns clockwise.


Three-Color Cast-On with Corded or Braided Edge

To make a three-color edge, three colors of yarn are used together in a Long-Tail Cast-On and all three strands are rotated between each cast-on stitch.


More Info:

3-Color Cast-On: Corded
3-Color Cast-On: Braided

To create the three-color corded cast-on (left), rotate the yarns counterclockwise.

To create the three-color braided cast-on (right), rotate the yarns clockwise.


Twined Cast-On for Two-Color Ribbing with Contrasting Edge

The twined cast-on sets you up for two-color ribbing and creates a contrasting edge in a third color.


To Do the Twined Cast-On for Two-Color Ribbing with Contrasting Edge:

  1. Tie three colors of yarn together in a slipknot and use the Old Norwegian cast-on to rotate between the two colors you will use for your ribbing. The yarn that goes over your thumb will be the color that creates the contrasting edge.
  2. Place your hands in the slingshot position with the third yarn hanging down.
  3. As you cast on each stitch with the Old Norwegian cast-on, drop the yarn from your index finger and replace it with the yarn that was hanging down.


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