The alternating cable cast on is a wonderful cast on to use with 1x1 (knit 1, purl 1) ribbing. It creates a smooth continuous edge and makes an excellent substitution for a tubular cast on. It alternated between knit and purl cast-on stitches. It can easily be modified for any type of ribbed cast-on you need.
Why not give this technique a try in one of the following patterns:
