Best cast on for arms

[Marlet]

I'm doing the Ribbed Jacket from Special Knits by Debbie Bliss. I'm to the part that says to start casting on x amount of stitches at the beginning of the row for the next 8 rows. It's done flat. I need a good cast on that won't look like crap. I refuse to use the backward loop one because it's too loose for my OCD. I tried the cable one earlier but couldn't get it to look right on the purl side but I've also never done it before so who knows...it could have been right. I don't want loose and I want it to look consistent. Yes I'm going to be seaming it but 1. that doesn't mean it can't look the same and 2 the intendeds mom is a bit....well....particular and thinks my knitting is "quaint". :

Also, why do patterns make you cast on every row? Wouldn't it make more sense, especially in flat items, to cast on x amount of stitches on the knit side and do nothing on the purl? I really hate the stairs look that comes from this type of casting on/shaping.

[flapjack]

I personally prefer the cute ickle holes that you get when you do a cable cast on, but ymmv. Knitting on?

[lovesdaffodils]

I made that jacket recently, and I think I did just do backwards loop, since I knew it'd get seamed. But I agree with you on hating the stair-step look! It was a PITA to seam up too. I guess I'm no help though.

[Marlet]

Originally Posted by flapjack

I personally prefer the cute ickle holes that you get when you do a cable cast on, but ymmv. Knitting on?

How do you do the cable cast on on the purl side? I tried it since that's my default cast on and it didn't work out so well.

[SophieAnn]

I find instructions on TECHknitter to be fantastic.

http://techknitter.blogspot.com/2006...gblogspot.html

Scroll about 1/3 of the way down, and there is a section called "Casting-on and casting off". You might find some options or help there.

[Marlet]

Why did I not think of her!? I read her blog daily.

[SophieAnn]

I just discovered TECHknitting a couple months ago and have been working through the archives, reading posts in order.

I'm learning so much. I wish she would publish it in a book!

[Marlet]

No kidding!

It didn't help though. Not sure if I'm just being too particular on what I want or if the lack of motivation is whats doing it.