Beautiful & Neat Ribber Cast On

This ribber cast on is similar to a more common one where you cast on on with WY and ravel cord then knit a zig zag row and drop the ribber stitches.  I've tried that one and thought the edge was a bit too loose.  This one I really like.

I am not the creator of this, a friend sent me some notes she made years ago.  We both had to try it out and I think it's terrific!  No bulky edge, no split "Y's" on the edge, it lays flat, nice stretch and so simple to do.

I took some photos today on the bulky so you can follow along.  I have a description under each step by step photo.  Give it a try.

Park MY in between beds on left side.  T0/0 cast on with ravel cord from right to left - hang ribber comb and weight as usual - remove ravel cord from ribber arm and replace with MY.

Set ribber carriage to hold.  On my Brother 260 it is the silver tabs down.

Place all ribber needles to E position (hold).

With MY knit one row left to right.  Only the main bed will knit, ribber will place yarn around needles in hold.

Take ribber carriage out of hold and set main bed to knit circular right to left and ribber carriage to knit circular left to right.  Knit one row right to left (ribber will not knit).

Knit second circular row left to right (only ribber bed will knit).

Set tension on both beds to your ribbing tension, set machine to knit rib (cancel any part buttons) and away you go!

Just off the cast on comb.

Ravel cord removed.  Look at the nice edge stitches!  Snug and flat.

Here is the swatch stretched out over the gate pegs.

Note:  To do this on 2x2 (2x1 arrangement), follow the steps for cast on and knitting first row left to right.  Before you take ribber out of hold and knit the first circular row, place all of the main bed needles that are out of work into B position.  Knit the first row right to left then drop the stitches on the needles you just put into work and place needles out of work.  Continue as above.

Ribber Cast On & Weighting Your Ribber

Sorry haven't posted in a few, been very hectic at work as we just moved to a new facility and it was very chaotic with very, very, long days.  Now I am back to my usual self and routine.

If you read patterns and watch videos everyone seems to have their own concept on when to hang ribber weights during the cast on process.

I am sure, if you are like me, you have tried following the pattern instructions on how to cast on with your ribber and "when" to hang the weights.

As a result of my getting distracted one day I found what works best for me, that is....

• I do my zig-zag row at the tightest tension

• Hang the comb (enough weight in itself)

• Knit at least (sweaters I do 5) three-(3) circular rows at T1

• Change to plain knitting (ready to rib) and knit two rows at MT

• Hang the weights and continue to knit per your projects instructions

When doing this I find a neater,  stretchier and even cast on.  Give it a go, you'll like it!

P.S.  Take a look at how nice entrelac can be (even though not finished yet); Diana's idea "in progress" is an evening bag:

Entrelac Evening Bag