No matter how hard you try to keep it loose, the latch tool cast on is often too tight to be practical. I came up with a simple solution that enables you to make the edge as loose and stretchy as you want by working around a gauge.

In this video, I used a #4 hand knitting needle, but you can use a larger needle or a dowel instead. Although it is tempting to make the chaining really loose, try not to go overboard with your new-found power!

Once I produced a better cast on edge, I realized that I could also use the same technique to open up the rows of decorative chaining I work on the knit side of the fabric. You can work decorative chaining with different colors and textures and you can work several rows together at the lower edge to produce a nice band.

Each row of decorative chaining is followed by a row of knitting  and if you want to produce a band, simply *free pass the carriage to the opposite side of the bed, work the chaining and then rethread the carriage and knit 1 row**. Repeat from * to **.

Think about picking up and rehanging a row of decorative chaining across the needles to work more elaborate trims or effects after the basic fabric is complete. You can also work crochet trims through them.

I hope you find this little tip as useful as I did! Enjoy!

On another note, January will be here before we know it and I will, once again, be teaching for Vogue Knitting Livein NYC. 
Hope to see some of you there!

Posted in Edgings and Trims, Knitting Machine Basics, Neat tricks, Upcoming events and Classes and tagged , ,

12 Comments

  1. Tanya Cunningham on October 15, 2017 at 2:05 pm

    This is a wonderful innovation, Susan. Thanks for sharing your idea.



    • Susan Guagliumi on October 15, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      So glad you like it!



  2. Nancy Olson on October 15, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    Susan, thank you for this very creative idea. I can’t wait to give it a try.



    • Susan Guagliumi on October 15, 2017 at 6:48 pm

      Have fun!



  3. Carla Johnson on October 15, 2017 at 6:36 pm

    Thank you for yet another wonderful technique. Maybe they should be start being named for their creator. This one could be Susan’s Space Needler.



    • Susan Guagliumi on October 15, 2017 at 6:48 pm

      Ha! I love it!



  4. Priscilla on October 15, 2017 at 6:48 pm

    Great idea, again. Had a thought as I watched…the garter bar stabalizer might be useful for keeping needles from jiggling while chaining.



    • Susan Guagliumi on October 15, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      Why not?! Whatever helps!



  5. Deb on October 15, 2017 at 6:52 pm

    Oh love it, have the perfect project that I’m going to try this on!!
    Thank you.



    • Susan Guagliumi on October 15, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      Great – just make sure you share some photos with the rest of us!!



  6. Gigi Almeida on October 16, 2017 at 3:34 pm

    Absolute Genius–Love it.



    • Susan Guagliumi on October 16, 2017 at 5:12 pm

      Aw, gee….now I’m blushing! Glad you like it!