A cross-shaped set of loops with double thread makes the edge of the product very elastic and at the same time holds its shape well. In this case, the edge does not tighten the canvas and a beautiful, even edge with a voluminous edge is formed. The cross-shaped set of loops with a double thread is also known as the Bulgarian beginning. This edge looks very impressive and neat on the product. It turns out especially advantageously on a canvas made with stockinette stitch. It is often used for casting on loops in women's and children's garments, when the main pattern begins immediately from the edge. It will also look good on 1x1 and 2x2 elastic bands; in these cases, the product has an original edge.

1. Fold the thread twice as long as the width of the fabric being collected.

2. We place the working thread in the left hand in such a way that the double thread rests on the thumb, and we wind the single thread coming from the ball (in the direction of the arrow) around the index finger and around the little finger as shown in the figure.

3. We put two knitting needles together and cast on the first loop from one thread. We place the knitting needles under the formed loop on the thumb and grab the working thread coming from the index finger in the direction of the arrow. Then we lower the loop from thumb, and tighten the initial loop.

4. To form the next loop, change the position of the thickened thread on the thumb. We place a double thread around the thumb of the left hand. Then we grab the working thread from the index finger and pull it in the direction of the arrow through the threads on the outside of the thumb. Pull your thumb out of the loop and tighten the loop.

5. The threads are positioned in the same way as in point 4. When knitting a loop, we grab the working thread from the index finger and pull it in the direction of the arrow through the threads on the inside of the thumb. Pull your thumb out of the loop and tighten the loop.

6. Cast on all other loops as in steps 4 and 5 the required number of times. The loops are alternately cast on from the outside and then from the inside of the thumb. With this set, the loops are arranged in pairs. The exception is the edge loop.

7. After you have cast on the required number of stitches, release one needle and purl the first row using a single thread. Knit double loops each separately.

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We present a master class on a cross-shaped set of loops, another name for this set is the Bulgarian beginning. It is used for knitted edges of women's and children's products, when the main pattern begins immediately from the edge, as well as for 1 by 1 and 2 by 2 elastic bands, they get an original edge. The edge with this method does not tighten the fabric. This set of loops creates a beautiful, smooth hem with a voluminous edge.

Our video tutorial on casting on cross stitches with knitting needles:

Description of the cross-shaped set of loops:

We unwind the end from the skein 6 times longer than needed for the width of the fabric.

We throw the thread coming from the skein onto index finger left hand, and bring the free end of the double thread to the thumb, making a loop around it. Cast on 1 loop in the classic way: insert the knitting needles into the loop on the thumb, grab the thread coming from the index finger, take it out of the loop, drop the loop from the thumb and tighten the loop on the knitting needle.

Then we change the position of the thread on the thumb, moving counterclockwise. Hold the starting thread (small tail) right hand.

We insert the knitting needles under the double thread from the inside. We grab the thread from the pointer. finger and pull out the next loop.

Change the position of the thread again, grab it thumb clockwise and insert the knitting needles under the double thread from the outside. We grab the thread from the pointer. finger and pull out the 3rd loop. We continue to alternate the location of the thread and the methods of gripping.

The main thing in this set is to understand that when you insert the knitting needles from the outside, a volumetric arc is formed at the loop from below, and when you insert the knitting needles from the inside, it forms from above.

We cast on the number of loops that we need, we get a decorative edge with a thickening.

If, after casting on, you proceed to knitting a pattern, then in the next row you knit all the loops purl. Then you start knitting with the pattern you want.

If you immediately need an elastic band, then from the next row, after casting on loops, start knitting an elastic band.

We hope everything worked out for you.

Even, for you, loops.

Share your result with us and leave comments.

But this method has also long been known as a cross-shaped set of loops with knitting needles.

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Cross-shaped set of loops with knitting needles: knitting description

To make such a set of loops, fold the thread coming from the ball three times, and the length of this thread should be three times the width of the product.

Place the thread on the fingers of your left hand, and the thread hangs in thirds from the thumb, the thread from the ball from the index finger. We will insert both knitting needles into the loop.

Press the thread against the needles with your index finger to make the first loop. At the same time, grab the triple thread from the outside of the left thumb.

To make the second loop, grab the treble strand from the inside of your left thumb. At the same time, change the position of the loop on the thumb: drop the thread and pick it up on the other side of the finger, opposite.

By casting on the loops in turn from the outside and from the inside of the left thumb, we get a row of loops that are arranged in pairs on the knitting needles.

This method is used to wear a set of loops in a cross-shaped manner.

From the front side, a cross-shaped set of stitches with knitting needles looks like this:

Knit each stitch of the pair knit or purl. This will depend on the pattern.

Also, using a cross-shaped cast-on, you can knit an openwork cast-on row with knitting needles.

This is what an openwork set of stitches looks like in a cross pattern on knitting needles

To make it, cast on the first row in a cross pattern with knitting needles and turn the product inside out. Yarn over before each pair, which are then knitted together purlwise.

After the first row, knit a few rows, and then move on to the main pattern.

Thanks to this method, you can trim a blouse or sweater.

The cross-shaped cast-on stitches are made using double thread, with the length of the thread being equal to twice the length of the cast-on edge.

Step 1

According to the drawing, place a single thread coming from the ball over the index finger of the left hand and bring it to the thumb. Fold the thread in half and make a loop around the thumb, with the end of the thread hanging down at the thumb.

Step 2

Work the first loop in the usual way: insert the knitting needles into the loop on the thumb, grab the thread coming from the index finger and pull it out of the loop. Slip the loop off your thumb and tighten the loop on the knitting needles.

Wrap the double thread around the thumb of your left hand according to the picture, holding the starting thread with your right hand. A single thread coming from the ball is draped over the index finger and leads to the knitting needle. Pull out the loop (see direction of the arrow), slip it off the thumb and tighten it on the knitting needle.

Step 3

Place the double thread around your thumb and pull the loop in the direction of the arrow. Slip the loop off your thumb and tighten it on the knitting needle. Alternately perform loops according to step 2 and step 3.

Step 4

This is what a series of loops cast on in a cross pattern looks like.

Drawings: Verena magazine

A cross-shaped set of loops (also called the Bulgarian “beginning”) is usually used when knitting begins with the main pattern immediately from the edge of the product. But if you are going to knit 2x2 elastic, you can safely use a cross cast - you will get an original edge. With a cross-shaped cast-on, the edge of the product looks neat, and the thickened weave of the threads allows such a cast-on edge to simultaneously perform a decorative function.

1. Throw the thread coming from the ball over the index finger of the left hand and then bring the thread to the thumb. Fold the thread in half, the length of the thread is equal to twice the length of the cast-on edge, and make a loop around the thumb, the end of the thread hanging by the thumb. Make the first loop as usual: insert the knitting needles into the loop on the thumb, grab the thread coming from the index finger, pull it out of the loop, slip the loop off the thumb and tighten the loop on the knitting needle.

2. Draw a double thread around the thumb of your left hand according to the photo, hold the starting thread with your right hand. The thread that comes from the ball is draped over the index finger and leads to the knitting needle. Pull out the loop, slip it off your thumb and tighten it on the knitting needle.

3. After this, turn the double thread around the thumb, i.e. circle it so that the free end of the thread this time turns out to be the back wall of the loop being formed. The thread that comes from the ball is draped over the index finger and leads to the knitting needle. Pull out the loop, slip it off your thumb and tighten it on the knitting needle.

The photo shows several cast-on edge loops. In the next row (purl) after casting on the stitches, purl all the stitches. Then knit with the desired pattern. If you need an elastic band right away, then start knitting an elastic band in the next row after casting on the stitches (purl).