Cast On Party and Folding our Collars: Your Staple Tee Takes Shape!
Hey knitting pals! Welcome back to the Staple Tee KAL! In our second livestream, we officially chose the right needles, cast on our tees, joined in the round without any gaps, and tackled the collar fold that will make your tee stand out.
Missed our latest livestream? No worries! I've got the full scoop right here. Join me for a fun and informative recap where we'll dive into the world of cast-ons and collar folds. I'll share everything you need to know to get your tee started off right.
And if you haven't joined the KAL yet, it's not too late! Sign up for the Staple Tee KAL here.
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of those links, I earn some yarn money at no extra cost to you!
Key Highlights
We talked about why joining the KAL is the bee's knees! You'll be part of an amazing, supportive community of knitters from all over the world, get your WIPs featured, and even be entered to win some awesome prizes.
We did a deep dive into casting on – the two-needle cast on, to be exact. It's my go-to for a stretchy, comfy neckline. (And yes, I even showed you my favorite trick for a seamless join in the round!)
Then, we tackled the collar fold. I know it can be a bit tricky, but I shared all my tips and tricks for getting it just right. Still feeling a little unsure about any of this? Don't worry! Be sure to check out the full replay of the livestream for all the details and demos.
The Q&A was a blast, with lots of great questions about everything from needle sizes to stitch markers to stripe placement.
And of course, I gave you a little pep talk about next week's adventure: German short rows (GSRs)! Don't be nervous. They're easier than they look, and I'll be there to guide you every step of the way. 😉
A Closer Look at the Details
Cast On Like a Pro
After a warm welcome to everyone tuning in live or catching the replay later, we jumped right into the two-needle cast-on. It's a great option for this pattern because it creates a super stretchy edge that's perfect for the neckline. Plus, it's way easier than you might think! If you need a refresher, check out my blog post on the easiest stretchy cast on in knitting: Two-Needle Cast On.
Next up was the two-needle cast on. It might seem a little intimidating at first, but it's actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. Here's the basic gist:
Hold two needles together and make a slip knot.
Cast on your stitches, wrapping the yarn around both needles at the same time.
To join in the round seamlessly, slip the last stitch you cast on onto the other needle. Then, slip the slip knot off and knit the two stitches together. Boom – you're in the round!
Tip: Wrap your yarn around your head 2.5 to 3 times to estimate how much yarn you'll need for the cast on. It's always better to have a little extra yarn than not enough! It's a handy trick that always works for me!
The pattern tells you exactly how many stitches to cast on based on your measurements and gauge, so be sure to follow that number.
Joining in the Round
Once we had our stitches cast on, we cast on one extra for this method to join our work in the round. This is where the magic happens – we're creating a circle of knitting with no pesky seams!
Here's how it goes:
Slip Your Last Stitch: With your slip knot on the left needle and the working yarn on the right, slip the last cast-on stitch onto the left needle.
Slip Off Your Slip Knot: Insert your right needle purlwise into the slip knot and slip it over that last stitch. (It can be a bit tricky, but don't worry – just be gentle!)
Tighten It Up: Slip the last cast-on stitch back to the right needle. It might look a little loosey-goosey, but that's okay! Just give your yarn tail and working yarn a little tug to tighten things up.
Mark Your Spot: Place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
Ta-da! You've officially joined in the round. You might notice your stitches are nice and loose on your needles, ready for the collar fold. Pretty cool, huh?
Ready to join the fun and knit your dream tee alongside a supportive community of knitters?
It's never too late to join the Staple Tee KAL!
Knit a Few Rounds
Now that you're working in the round, it's time to knit a few rounds according to your pattern instructions. You’ll also be creating a purl ridge in the middle of your collar. Remember, the exact number of rounds will depend on your gauge and measurements, so be sure to double-check your pattern!
Collar Fold: One of The Trickiest Parts (But You've Got This!)
Next up, we tackled the collar fold. I know this can be a bit fiddly, especially the first time, but I shared my favorite method for getting a crisp, clean fold that looks totally professional.
Here's the play-by-play:
Needle Switch: Switch to your Needle Size 1 (the one you used for swatching).
Find Your Starting Point: Use the tail from your cast-on edge to locate your first cat-on stitch. Gently fold the collar under, using that purl ridge as your guide. (That's the bumpy part that'll sit right up against your neck.)
Knit & Pick Up: This is where it gets a little tricky, but stick with me! You'll be knitting the live stitches together with the corresponding stitches from the cast-on edge. Keep On Folding. Once you've joined the first few stitches, it gets easier, I promise! Just keep folding and knitting until you've worked your way around the entire collar. You'll see a beautiful ridge forming – so satisfying!
I know the first few stitches can be a little fussy, but take your time, and don't be afraid to rip back if you need to. And remember, you can always reference the livestream replay for a visual demonstration.
Pro Tip: If you're using interchangeable needles, it's easy to swap out your needle tips for the different sizes needed in this section. But if you're using fixed circulars, don't worry! You can just purl the round on the smaller needle, then continue knitting on your main needle size.
Show and Tell Time!
I've been loving all the WIPs photos popping up on Discord! You guys are rockin' it! And if you haven't cast on yet, no worries! There's still plenty of time to work on that collar fold.
Remember, you can enter multiple finished tees to increase your chances of winning some awesome prizes. So if you're feeling inspired to make a whole summer wardrobe of Staple Tees, go for it!
And for those of you who feel like you might be falling behind, please don't stress! Some folks like to jump right in, and that's awesome, but everyone knits at their own pace. You're right where you need to be. We're all in this together, and the most important thing is to have fun and create something you love!
Participant Spotlight
Chatter from the KAL Community: All the Feels!
You guys are the best! The chat during the livestream was so positive and supportive. I'm constantly amazed by how friendly and helpful everyone is in the Discord community. It really is like a big knitting family!
Q&A: Your Cast On & Collar Questions, Answered!
During the Q&A, we covered everything from needle sizes to stitch markers to stripe placement. Here are a couple of the most common questions:
Q: Can I use 40" circular needles for magic loop instead of DPNs?
A: Absolutely! Go for it if you love magic loop. It might get a bit tricky with the German short rows later on, but it's definitely possible.
Q: Any tips for adding lifelines?
A: VeryPink Knits and Sheep & Stitch both have great tutorials on YouTube. Check them out!
Q: Is it helpful to use a marker to identify your first cast-on stitch?
A: Absolutely! It makes it so much easier to find your starting point when you're joining in the round. I highly recommend it! Check these stitch markers out!
Tips from the Livestream:
If you're new to interchangeable needles, try starting with a budget-friendly set from Knit Picks.
Mark your first cast-on stitch with a marker to make folding your collar easier.
A mid-project block can be super helpful to see how your fabric is shaping up.
I was also blown away by your enthusiasm and support for each other on Discord. It's truly inspiring to see so many knitters coming together to learn and create!
Your Homework (and It's Fun, I Promise!)
Now it's your turn! Cast on your Staple Tee and work that collar fold. Don't worry if it takes a few tries to get it just right and practice makes perfect! And don't forget to share your progress on Discord. I love seeing your beautiful knits!
Upcoming Livestream Preview
Next Up: German Short Rows + Increases (June 16th, 12 PM EST)
Next week, we're tackling the trickiest part of the pattern: German short rows and increases. But don't worry, I'll be there every step of the way to guide you through it, cheer you on, and answer any questions you have! Want a sneak peek? Check out my step-by-step guide on the blog: How to Do the German Short Row. Can’t wait to see all your beautiful Staple Tees come to life! See you on Sunday!
Additional Resources
Need a refresher on your cast on? Or you just want to make sure you're on the right track in casting on your staple tee, check out my blog post on the easiest stretchy cast-on in knitting: Two Needle Cast On
And if you're still on the fence about joining the KAL, head over to our KAL information page to sign up and get all the details.
Bonus Tip! Download my FREE Gauge Log + Project Tracker! It's super handy for keeping track of your gauge for your Staple Tee.
The Staple Tee
Don't miss out on knitting the perfect tee! Grab your Staple Tee pattern now and join the KAL!
Missed the last livestream? No worries! Catch the replay to join in on the fun, whether you're #teamlive or #teamreplay!
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〰️ Shop My Favorite Supplies
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How's your cast-on and collar shaping coming along? Did you learn any new tips or tricks during the livestream? Share your thoughts, questions, and progress in the comments below!
Relive the excitement of our final Staple Tee KAL livestream! Join us as we celebrate your beautiful creations, announce prize winners, and share our gratitude for this amazing community.