an 1 or 11/2 c/m, from the work. All
exaggerated movement of the arms, which renders knitting a very tiring
occupation, should be avoided.

[Illustration: FIG. 341. POSITION OF THE HANDS IN KNITTING.]

CASTING ON.--Casting, or, setting on, as it is sometimes called, is
the formation of the first row of stitches which are to constitute the
foundation of the work.

There are four methods of casting on: (1) crossed casting on, done in
four different ways; (2) knitting on; (3) slipping on, also done in two
ways; (4) casting on with picots.

(1) CROSSED CASTING ON WITH A SINGLE THREAD (fig. 342). Lay the thread
over your fingers as though you were beginning a chain of plain
stitches, fig. 403, leaving a long end, sufficient to make the number of
stitches required, lying within the palm of the hand. Put the needle in
from below, into the loop on the thumb, and pass it from right to left
under that part of the thread which lies between the forefinger and the
thumb. Then bring the thread through the loop on the thumb, draw the
thumb out, and lay the loop on the needle. In making the next stitches,
lay the thread over the thumb, so that the end lies outside. Put in the
needle under the front thread and complete the stitch as before. This
method of casting on is generally done over two needles, one of them
being drawn out before the knitting-off is begun, to ensure a loose
edge.

[Illustration: FIG. 342. CROSSED CASTING ON WITH A SINGLE THREAD.]

CROSSED CASTING ON WITH A THREEFOLD THREAD.--This method is similar to
the last, only that the thread is taken threefold and is drawn by the
needle through the loop, which is formed at the bend of the thread. Then
you pass the single thread over the left hand, and the triple one over
the thumb, as shown in fig. 342, and make the same stitches, as above.
The threefold thread makes a broad chain at the bottom of the loops.

DOUBLE CROSSED CASTING ON (fig. 343).--This can be done either with a
single or a threefold thread. In our drawing it is done with the latter.
The first stitch is made as we have already described, only that you
have to keep the loop on your thumb, put the needle into it a second
time, lay hold of the thread behind, cast on a second stitch, and then
only, withdraw your thumb. In this manner two loops are made at once,
close together.

[Illustration: FIG. 343. DOUBLE CROSSED CASTING ON.]

CROSSED CASTING ON, FORMING A CHAIN (fig. 344.)--Begin by making one
suc