Backwards Loop Cast On
Mary Beth TempleDescription
There are a variety of ways to cast on for your knitting project. In this video, knitting expert Mary Beth Temple demonstrates how to work the backwards loop (also known as the “cursive e“) cast on.
The backwards loop cast on is a basic stretchy cast on that can be too loose for some projects. This cast on tends to leave loops along the bottom edge, which some knitters find untidy. As Mary Beth mentions, this cast on is especially useful when stitches needed to be cast on in the middle of a row, like for the underarm of a sweater.
To work the backwards loop cast on, Mary Beth begins with a slip knot on the knitting needle, leaving a yarn tail of approximately 6 inches to weave in when the project is complete. She takes the working yarn up onto her forefinger and twists it to create a loop that looks like a cursive letter e. She adds the loop to the knitting needle. Mary Beth repeats this process to add more stitches to the knitting needle. She then works a row of knitting.
As this cast on can be loose, Mary Beth suggests tugging on the yarn while casting on to make the stitches snug on the knitting needle. She also suggests that you can try working this cast on with a slightly smaller needle that what will be used for the project. Once the stitches are cast on, you can switch to the project needle to being working the pattern.
Hi, guys, Mary Beth Temple here. Welcome to The Knitting Circle. And in this video, we're going to take a closer look at the backwards E or cursive E cast on. It's called different things depending on who's writing the pattern. It's super simple to learn. It's the first one I ever learned many, many years ago. And I'm going to show it to you now. As with so many cast ons that we learn here we're going to begin with a slipknot. So I'm going to take a loop in my yarn. I'm going to reach through the loop and pull up the working yarn. Remembering that the working yarn is the one that's attached to the ball of yarn. And the cut end is the tail. I'm going to put that on my knitting needle and tighten it up. And remember that will count as a stitch. So for the backwards loop or cursive E cast on, depending on what you were taught to call it, I'm going to use just one strand of yarn, as opposed to some of the other cast ons that we have learned. So I'm going to make a loop. So I'm keeping that yarn over my index finger and I'm twisting the loop and putting it on my needle and giving it a little tug. That's all there is to it. So now I have two stitches. Bringing up a loop, giving it a little twist, putting it on the needle, grabbing a little loop, give it a little twist, put it on the needle. Now you may notice that I'm giving it a pretty serious tug when I get it onto my needle. And the reason is this particular cast on has a tendency to loosen up a little bit when you're knitting your first row. So while I don't usually advocate putting a lot of pressure on your yarn during a cast on for cursive E or backward loop, I do recommend giving it a good tug because it does loosen up when you knit that first row. Alternatively, if you have tried this and it's not really working out for you it's getting too loose because you don't have enough tension on the yarn. You can always cast on to a smaller size needle. And you're going to just knit the first row of your pattern just the way that you always would. I will also say there are instances if you're shaping a sweater for example or something else with a lot of shaping to it, there are instances in which you have to cast on just a stitch or two, and knowing this cursive E or backward loop cast on is a really, it's a really good trick to have when you're in the middle of something and you need to add just a few stitches. But do you see how it's loosening up just a little bit. If I had, 50 or so stitches on here, it might've gotten pretty loose. And then I'm coming to my slipknot which is my last stitch. Whoops, let's try that again. Coming to my slip knot, which is my last stitch. And I'm just going to go ahead and knit that. So there it is. The backward loop or cursive E cast on. So there you have the cursive E or backwards E cast on. I'm Mary Beth Temple. This is The Knitting Circle. Thanks so much for joining us.
Mary Beth Temple uses what brand of circular wooden needles with flexible cables? Desperate for name. Enjoy everything that you share. Maralyn 🤗
I used to use this but found the stitches were hard to keep on and were very loose. However I will use it again because I always liked it.
I find that my cast on, using the thumb and index finger comes out a little tight so I have used a larger needle, but my cast off is always way looser.
Beautifully demonstrated, nice clear explanation
when adding stitches for underarm of sleeve, does using a smaller needle for the cast on help eliminate or at least decrease holes under the arm?
Ticket 38032 Would I be able to use a mohair or angora with a smaller needle for one of the shawls ?