MASTERCLASS
Faye Perriam-Reed explores three different circular cast-on techniques to try on your next centre-out shawl or hat project
Step-by-step guide to three circular cast-on methods
CIRCULAR SHAWLS, toys and hats are just a few of the projects that might require a circular cast-on technique. In crochet, working from the centre out is considered the norm - the humble granny square, for example, might be the perfect beginner’s project. However, in knitting, we have a tendency to work from the outside in.
There are a few different methods to cast on from the inside of a circle, and they all produce slightly different results and are of varying levels of fiddliness! The three I’ve explored here are the most common techniques. They will give a few different options, depending on your preferences - the first uses a crochet hook, the second uses a knitting needle, and the third begins from an i-cord. Although the first two might seem a bit tricky at first, they do become much easier with practice! For all three examples, I cast on six stitches and increased six stitches evenly on every alternative round, closing the loop shut after about ten rounds of knitting.