Estonian Cast On
This cast on is used to provide a stretchy cast on for 1 x 1 or 2 x 2 ribbing for socks, mitts or hats. The Estonian Cast On is a version of Long Tail Cast On; the difference is that with the Estonian version the yarn loop on the thumb is reversed for every other cast-on stitch.
Step 1
Position yarn as for Long Tail Cast On; tail end of yarn comes off the thumb.
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Step 2
Bring needle tip up through thumb loop.
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Step 3
Bring needle to the right and under yarn strand coming from index finger.
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Step 4
Pull needle and yarn through thumb loop.
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Step 5
Pull thumb down to remove thumb from thumb loop.
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Step 6
Pull on both yarn ends to gently tighten up the
loop dropped from the thumb.
loop dropped from the thumb.
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Step 8
Push needle tip under yarn coming off the back of the thumb.
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Step 7
Bring thumb over the tail yarn to scoop it from right to left – yarn comes from the stitch on the needle in front of the thumb.
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Step 9
Swing needle tip to the right and scoop yarn coming from index finger.
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Step 10
Pull needle and yarn through thumb loop.
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Step 11
Pull thumb down to remove thumb from thumb loop.
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Step 12
Pull on both yarn ends to gently tighten up the loop dropped from the thumb.
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Continue, repeating Steps 2 – 12 until desired number of stitches has been cast on.
Picture at left shows 6 stitches cast on.
Picture at left shows 6 stitches cast on.