Cast On, Bind Off (24 page)

Repeat steps 2–5 until the desired number of stitches is cast on.

This method creates an uneven number of stitches. If you need an even number of stitches, drop the slip knot off the needle when you work the first row.

The Picot Cast On is used to make a decorative edge
with little points, or picots, along it. It's great for when you want a little textural accent along your cast-on edge. It's also fairly stretchy, and I know people who swear by it for casting on top-down socks. This cast on is a combination of the Knitted Cast On (
page 31
) and picots, which are made by casting on and then binding off extra stitches along the edge. This cast on matches the Picot 1 Bind Off.

CHARACTERISTICS

• Decorative edge

• Stretchy edge

GOOD FOR

• Tops of socks

• Lace

• Any edge where you want both stretch and decorative interest

• Matching the Picot 1 Bind Off (
page 185
)

Make a slip knot, leaving a short tail, and place on the left-hand needle.

Insert the right-hand needle tip into the slip knot, wrap the yarn around, and pull the new stitch through. Place this stitch on the left-hand needle knitwise.

Continue in this manner and cast on 3 more stitches for a total of 5 stitches.

Knit the first 2 stitches, pull the first stitch over the second and off the right-hand needle: This binds off 1 stitch.

Knit the next stitch and bind it off by pulling the first stitch on the right-hand needle over the second.

Pass the remaining stitch on the right-hand needle back to the left-hand needle.