In searching for a way to describe this group, I decided that “simple” was not accurate, nor did “all purpose” fit those included here. These are the basics in a knitter’s wardrobe. They are some of the easiest to learn and teach, but more than that, these methods are the staples we come back to again and again for their versatility. Backward Loop page 20 Double-Twist Loop page 22 Long-Tail page 25 Long-Tail, Thumb Version page 28 Knitted page 31 Purled page 34 Cable page 36 Chained page 39 Old Norwegian page 41 Backward Loop Cast On a.k.a. Single, Simple, Wrap The Backward Loop Cast On is one of the simplest. Very easy to learn, it is often taught to new knitters. The sad truth, though, is that it does not produce a particularly attractive edge and does not hold up well. It also makes knitting the first row tricky. But don’t discount this method altogether: the Backward Loop is one of the few cast ons that can be used to add stitches at the end of the row or in the middle of a section of stitches.
