How To Fix A Too Tight Cast On Edge ~ Knit and Crochet Ever After

Are you tired of your knitting projects starting with a wonky or tight cast on edge? It’s a frustration many knitters face, but fear not – there’s a solution. Mastering this super easy technique can make all the difference in achieving a neat and consistent edge for your knitting projects. You can skip to the video tutorial at the bottom to learn all about this or check out the photo tutorial here.

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Tight Cast Ons

Does your cast on look too tight like in this photo?

The Long And Short Of It

Getting that perfect edge to your project can be tricky, especially for beginners. One of the key factors in achieving a clean cast on edge lies in understanding the roles of your thumb and pointer finger during the casting on process.

When performing a cast on like the long tail cast on, your thumb and pointer finger each have distinct functions. Your thumb controls the spacing of the yarn (often referred to as the tail yarn), while your pointer finger manages the tension of the working yarn. It’s this balance between spacing and tension that ultimately determines the width and uniformity of your stitches.

Your “thumb yarn” is what makes your stitches wider.

What Doesn’t Work

Many knitters make the mistake of thinking that doubling up their knitting needles will help them achieve a consistent edge. However, this approach overlooks the fact that it’s the spacing of the tail yarn controlled by the thumb that dictates the width of the stitches, not the size of the needles.

How many of us have been told to double our needles to make the cast on more consistent?

By doubling your needles, you are simply adding height to the stitches on your cast on. Yes, it will be easier to work into the stitches when you take that extra needle out, but if you aren’t spacing out your stitches, they will still create that tight edge that we are trying to avoid.

This is the, still, tight edge you will get with doubling your needles.

How to Fix?

So, what’s the secret to fixing your cast on edge and achieving that coveted consistency? It all comes down to mastering the spacing of the tail yarn. By ensuring that the yarn is evenly spaced between each stitch, you can create a beautifully aligned edge that sets the foundation for your knitting project.

But how exactly can you learn to control the spacing of the tail yarn effectively? Fortunately, I’ve got a solution for you. The video below demonstrates a simple yet effective trick for achieving a spaced-out cast on edge consistently: