While it is labeled the “alternating” cable cast on, you can use this cast on to make those first stitches on the needle be cast on in pattern. If you have a mix of knits and purls this is a great cast on to use to achieve the look of the stitch needed, where needed. I use this cast on now for ribbing especially, but anywhere that Row/Round 1 is a mix of knit and purl stitches.
The biggest tip I can give you is that you need to start at the end of Row/Round 1 to cast on your stitches. I have an example below that you can work and gain the understanding needed to use this cast on to its fullest potential.
I will not cover how to work the cast on itself in this post, I have a tutorial HERE that you can watch and then apply it to the pattern below.
You will need a pair of knitting needles and some smooth yarn. This a quick little piece. Be sure to make some notes as you go so that you can come back later and see what you learned.
To cast on using the alternating cable cast on, the slip knot is considered a knit and counts as the first stitch for this piece. We start at the end of Row 1 with “K2”. The next stitch to cast on is a knit. Then two purls, then two knits again. Repeat alternating purl, knit across the stitches until you have 16 stitches cast on, ending with P2.
You are now ready to work Row 1. Some knitters would say that this cast on counts as the first row, would cast on from the beginning of Row 1 and then immediately move on to Row 2. I don’t see this cast on that way. For me it sets up the base of the stitch to look like the stitch that is going to be worked into it on Row 1. Try each of the different ways for yourself and see what you think. Be sure to use labels so that you know what you did when you stumble across these adventure swatches at a later time.
To work a bind off that keeps the stitch pattern going, but doesn’t match the opposite end, work the traditional bind off as follows. If you see a purl stitch sitting on the giving needle, work it as a knit stitch. If you see a knit stitch sitting on the giving needle, work it as a purl stitch. For this swatch the first two stitches are purls, so knit the first two stitches. Pass the second stitch on the receiving needle over the first stitch. The next stitch on the giving needle is a knit stitch, so purl it. Pass the second stitch over the first stitch. Continue in this manner, alternating knits and purls until you have worked off all the stitches. Check out the step-by-step tutorial HERE.
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Happy Making!
Azariahs Fibre Arts 