Garter Tab Cast-on Tutorial

With the re-release of Halimede, a classic top-down shallow triangular shawl with pretty panels of feather and fan, we thought it would be a good time for a tutorial on the garter tab cast-on.

The garter tab cast-on is often used for top-down triangular shawls as it's easy to work and gives a smooth, seamless look that flows into the pattern and edging. For today's tutorial, I'm using 2Tr. Gammelserie by Rauma. 

On the next row, we will pick up stitches around two sides of this tab. Knit across the 3 stitches.

Then, slide the stitches on the right needle tip down onto the cord. The arrows indicate where we'll be picking up stitches along the side of the tab.

With the first three stitches now on the cord, rotate the work 90 degrees clockwise and insert the right needle tip into the side edge of the first garter ridge.

Wrap the yarn and pull up a stitch.

Continuing in the same direction, pick up 1 stitch from each garter ridge - 3 stitches.

Push these new pick-up stitches down onto the cord as well. 6 stitches total.

Rotate the work again 90 degrees clockwise. Now we'll be picking up stitches from the 3 cast-on stitches. It can look a little crowded here but take your time to open up the stitches so you can see where to pick up. 

Pick up 1 stitch from each cast on stitch. 3 stitches. 

Garter tab cast on is complete! There are 9 stitches.