German Twisted Cast On Tutorial

The German twisted cast on is a commonly used cast on method for projects which require a stretchy edge, such as hats and socks. It's similar to the long tail cast on but has more stretch.

1.

The first step is working out how much yarn to leave for the tail. Wrap the yarn around your needle once for every stitch needed, then just hold onto the yarn at the point you've calculated for where the tail should end and slide the loops off your needle. This cast on does use more yarn than some other methods, so I would recommend leaving a bit more yarn for the tail to ensure you have plenty.

2.

Next you need to either make a slip knot, or a simple twist. To create a twist, hold out your thumb and index finger and place the yarn across the top of both of these fingers, with the tail going over your thumb and the working yarn going over your index finger. The point calculated in the previous step should be in the middle of the yarn draped across your fingers. Use your other fingers to grip both strands of yarn. Place your needle on top of the yarn between your fingers, then bring the tip of the needle down, going from left to right under the strand of yarn near your thumb. You should now have a loop on your needle.

Tip: A twist rather than a slip knot tends to be more invisible, so I tend to use it for projects which will be worked in the round, as I want the beginning of the round to be hidden.
3.

Using the thumb or index finger of the hand holding your needle, hold onto the loop on your needle so it remains in place. Bring your thumb and index finger of the other hand up, so you should have a loop around each of these fingers on either side of the needle. The tail should be going around your thumb, and the working yarn should be going around your index finger.

4.

Bring the tip of the needle to the left of the loop on your thumb, going over the top of both of these strands of yarn.

5.

Bring the needle down on the left side and under both of these strands of yarn, returning the needle to the middle.

6.

Bring the needle to the left again, this time bring it over the nearest strand of yarn, then under the second strand of yarn, returning the needle to the middle.

7.

Bring the tip of the needle to the right and over the nearest strand of yarn, taking the needle downwards into the centre of the loop on your index finger, before returning the needle to the middle between your thumb and index finger.

8.

You should be able to see a triangle of yarn along the side of your needle, slide your needle tip downwards so you can bring it forwards through this triangle.

9.

Pull on the two strands of yarn to tighten up the stitch.

10.

Repeat steps four to nine to cast on all the stitches you need.