How To Knit The Alternating Cable Cast On for 1x1 Ribbing! (My Favorite SWEATER KNITTING Techniques)

Knitting sweaters is one of my favorite things to do... and I want to share my absolute favorite sweater knitting techniques starting with the Alternating Cable Cast On! In this video, I show you how I knit the alternating cable cast on and tell you why it's my favorite way to start a top-down seamless sweater (and so many other projects too!).

This video describes this cast on for 1x1 ribbing. To see how to work this in 2x2, I have linked an article by Wooly Wormhead below.

Video Chapters ------------------------------------------------------------
Why I Like This Cast On: 0:50
How To Knit The Cast On: 1:25

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#knitting #howtoknit #sweaterknitting

[Kasperkima]

After hours spent trying to figure out long tail tubular cast on, and being unable to ever have the patience to estimate the right amount of yarn for the tail, this method and tutorial has improved my life 10 fold. SOOOO glad to have found this. Thank you for a great video and a lovely alternative to the long tail tubular method. 🔥🥰❣️

[Kasperkima]

Also, the tip to only set down the needles after a knit cast on stitch. Brilliant!

[kittenkorleone]

Great camera angle and closeup!! I can't stand tutorials when you can't see exactly what's happening. The fact that I could see daylight coming from between the stitches is aces, dude!

[ΗρακλήςΠαύλου-ση]

Absolutely loved this cast on on a neck warmer i knit just a week ago. I tried finding a way around the jog created after working in the round by casting on an extra purl stich, knitting the first row flat, and passing the slip knot cast on over the last purl stich. After tightening the pass over with the tail end i could barely notice the start! Such an easy seamless cast on!

[katherinemurphy]

Fantastic video! Thank you for the clear images and slow, calm, thoughtful presentation.

[priscillabandy]

i come back to this tutorial time and time again when i dont have the motivation to do tubular cast on! thanks!!

[Mspurrier]

This was a timely discovery for me. I just started a sweater “commissioned” by a neighbor (imagine trying to make a living making a sweater). The designer recommended a tubular cast-on for the bottom up piece. I did my gauge swatch with a 1x1 rib border to give it a try and I believe this cast-on looks better for a gentleman’s garment than the tubular version, which seemed a bit more frilly. I won’t lie, I struggled a bit to figure what to do carrying the working yarn in the right hand, as I do, but eventually came to the conclusion that it’s easier to render that way than in the Continental style.

[karennewton]

Excellent tutorial! I've looked at about a dozen videos to do this method and yours is 'THE BEST". I've been knitting for over 40 years and never had the occasion to use this method in the past. Your instructions are extremely clear and precise. Also, I think there will be less twisting of stiches especially knitting in the round. Happy Knitting!

[kerrinkilmartin]

Wow! I’ve been knitting for over 40 years and have never seen this, thank you so, so much! I’m about to start a sweater for my son and I will definitely be giving this cast on a go.

[Sophira]

This is a great little little tutorial Caleb. This is the way my Mum taught me to cast on but only in the knit pattern. Have not seen the rib version before but I love it. Anything to avoid the tubular cast on for the rest of my life is a winner for me! Thank you!

[sherierodrigues]

Hello Caleb, I don't believe it, you have only been knitting since 2019. You are amazing. I thank you so much for this tutorial. This is how I used to cast on, if Caleb uses it, so do I. Caleb, you are not just a very handsome face, but very talented. I'm 72, and can't wait to see what you are going to teach me. Sherie Rodrigues from Australia. Thank you, your time is so appreciated.

[goblinspoons]

I really appreciate all your videos, I hope everything is going ok for you.

[tomjtreat]

Hey Caleb! Great video. I have done the cable cast on but NEVER heard of the alternating version. LOVE IT!! For a finished/invisible cast on, I like the Italian cast on. Also German twisted gives a nice edge for 1x1 ribbing. I can't wait to try this one -- I might have a new favorite. As a knitting "dinosaur", I absolutely LOVE your videos because I often learn something new. And because your passion for knitting shines through which reminds me how much I love yarn and knitting! I'm so happy to see your channel grow. You are exactly what the world needs right now.

[petrakondas]

This is such a great technique! I've been struggling with casting on for days, but this finally worked out. Thank you so much! :)

[decorgirl]

Thank you for the lesson! Isn't knitting so exciting?? It's rare that I've not learnt something new everyday!

[ReginaDubbe-Heise]

This is such a clear explanation. Thank you so much . Kindest regards

[onesweetlife]

Thank you so much for this! You just saved me half the morning casting on this way!!

[catherinemelnyk]

The cable cast-on is my go-to cast on for most things that don't start in cable. This is excellent. Thanks so much!

[Janice-rf]

Great video with an extra thanks! This was the cast-on method my mother taught me long ago (she was a beautiful knitter) and I had forgotten all about it. Nice to revive this memory and will certainly be using it in my future projects 🤗

[margaretlee]

Thanks Caleb, I’m SO glad to learn this and not have to estimate a length of yarn for a long tail cast on, which has been my go-to for years! I’m a thrower (rather than continental) and find this cast-on easier to control than what Caleb demonstrates continental style. I also found a good way to keep track of whether the next stitch is a knit or purl is the same as I’ve been taught when knitting: if there’s a bump you purl, if there’s no bump, you knit. This will now be my go-to cast on for ribbing!