German twisted cast on (Old Norwegian)
The German twisted cast on (Old Norwegian) is a long-tail cast on with an extra twist that makes the edge stretchy. Step by step, for cuffs and brims.
By Julia WallinCo-founder and editorThe German twisted cast on, also called the Old Norwegian cast on, is a long-tail cast on with an extra twist at the base of each stitch. The twist puts more yarn into the edge and makes it much stretchier. You hold the yarn the same way as for the long-tail cast on.
How to work it
Make a slip knot, leaving a tail about 4 times as long as the edge is wide, and put it on the needle. It counts as the first stitch.
Put the tail over your thumb and the working yarn over your index finger. Hold both strands in your palm.
Take the needle tip under both strands of the thumb loop, from the side nearest you, towards your index finger.
Take the tip over the far thumb strand and down into the middle of the thumb loop.
Bring the tip towards you and up, in front of the near thumb strand. The strands around your thumb now cross in an X.
Take the tip over the strand on your index finger and catch it.
Bend your thumb slightly. This opens the twisted thumb loop.
Bring the needle, with the caught strand, back towards you through the opening in the thumb loop.
Let the loop slip off your thumb and tighten the new stitch gently. Put your thumb back in position and repeat from step 3.
Steps 3 to 5 and step 7 are what make this cast on different from the long-tail cast on. The other steps are the same.
When to use it
Use it where the edge must stretch and go back to shape: top-down sock cuffs, hat brims, mitten and glove cuffs, and rib in general. It looks almost the same as the long-tail cast on, with a small twist at the base of each stitch. For a rounded edge on 1×1 rib, use the Italian cast on. The stretchy cast on page compares the two.
Common mistakes
Going back to the plain long-tail motion halfway through the row. Check for the twist at the base of the stitches every few stitches until the motion feels natural.
Skipping the thumb bend in step 7. Without it, the needle is hard to bring back through the thumb loop.
Running out of tail. This cast on uses more yarn than the long-tail cast on. If you are unsure, cast on with both ends of the ball.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the German twisted and long-tail cast on?
The hold is the same. In the German twisted cast on, the needle goes under both thumb strands and down into the thumb loop before it catches the index-finger strand. This adds a twist and more yarn to each edge stitch, so the edge stretches more.
Is German twisted the same as Old Norwegian?
Yes. They are two names for the same cast on.
Is it stretchy enough for socks?
Yes. It is the cast on most often recommended for top-down sock cuffs and snug hat brims.
Why do my stitches look crossed on the needle?
You pulled them too tight. Tighten each new stitch gently, so it sits next to the one before it.
Co-founder and editor at Knyt. Knits every guide before it is published.
More about Julia
