In knitting, “cast-on” refers to how you add loops of yarn onto your knitting needles until you’ve reached the desired number of stitches. These stitches become the foundation of your knitting project but it is not counted as the first row. All knitting projects and patterns, whether you are working with a pair of single-pointed needles for back-and-forth knitting or using the circulars for flat or round knitting or even a set of double points, all start with casting on.
The long tail cast-on is one of the many methods of casting stitches on your knitting needles. As beginners, we learn the method taught to us by our mentors. Many of us have learned the long tail as our first cast-on technique. But for those who haven’t in this blog, we’ll walk you through the steps and also introduce you to methods similar to the long tail.
So, let’s get started.
What is the long tail cast on?
A versatile all-rounder method to cast stitches, the long tail is sturdy yet stretchy and can be used in most situations or projects. In fact, the smooth, neat edge looks great in any type of project, especially in the stocking stitch (stockinette) pattern, which means any type of knitted pattern. You can use the cast-on for any project from socks to a blanket, hats to even home decor.
Steps on How to Long Tail Cast on
Step 1: Set Up Yarn and Needles
The long tail cast on starts with a slip knot. But unlike cast on with a crochet hook or other method, here you do not start near the beginning of the ball of yarn. You need a long tail, as you will use both the working and tail end to make the stitches. Make the slip knot and then tighten the knot from both ends. You can choose to forego the slip knot by making a cast-on stitch or after you’ve made the stitches slip the knot of the needle end.
Step 2: The Thumb and the Index Finger Position
Hold the needle with the slip knot on your right hand. You’ll see two strands of yarn hanging under the needle. With your left hand’s thumb and index finger hold the yarn tails. Hold the tail by your thumb and the working end with the finger forming a slingshot. Do clasp the yarn tails in your palm.
There is another variation here. The thumb long tail cast on, where you hold the yarn tail with your left-hand thumb and the knitting needle working yarn in your right hand and make loops. The thumb variation is often preferred by beginners for a few stitches.
Step 3: Dance of the Needle
Insert the knitting needle tip under the strand wrapped around your thumb and then scoop up the yarn held by your index finger. Bring the yarn out through the thumb loop onto the knitting needle tip and make a loop. Tighten the new stitch.
Continue these steps until you have the required number of stitches, or if you are practicing, 20 -30 stitches will be enough.
Where to use the long tail cast on?
This method works wonderfully for all projects when you want a neat and stretchy edge. It is the perfect start for a project in stocking stitch patterns (alternate rows or rounds of knit and purl stitches).
You can use them for any number of stitches as long as you estimate the tail. We’ll be coming back to the discussion of the yarn tail, so keep on reading.
How much Yarn for the Tail?
The long tail cast-on requires the same amount of yarn as any other method but you need to calculate the approximate tail length so that you do not run out of yarn or have too much of it.
There are many ways to calculate yarn length. The first method is to take at least four times the length of yarn as the final width of your project. A second way to estimate is to wrap yarn on the needle as many times as the cast on stitches. For instance, for 50 cast-on stitches, wrap 50 times on the needle and then unravel to get the exact length, but take 10 inches more to weave in yarn ends. Another way is to cast 10 stitches with the yarn and then unravel it to calculate the yarn length for the rest of the stitches. For example, if you have 60 stitches to cast on, you have the length for 10 and now you need 5 times for the rest of the stitches. A way to avoid estimating yarn tail length is to cast stitches with two yarn balls or two ends of the skein.
Long-tail Cast-on with Two Yarn Balls or Two Yarn Ends of a Skein
Estimating a yarn tail for 200 -300 cast-on stitches may seem overwhelming. A foolproof method is to take two yarn balls. You can divide the yarn by unwinding it on a Swift/Skein Winder and rewinding them into two separate balls on a ball winder. Unwinding the yarn also helps locate both ends of the yarn. Hold both tails and slipknot them together on the needle. Cast-on, with the steps mentioned above. Once the cast-on is done, cut off the bottom one. Make sure to leave a tail you can weave in.
You can even use two different colours of yarn of different or same fibres and weights for the two-strand cast-on. This makes a fun-looking edge that could add an exciting contrast to your project. Make sure to hold the dominant shade on your index finger.
Twisted German Cast-on (a.k.a. the Old Norwegian)
Compared to the regular long-tail cast-on, Twisted German Cast-on gives additional stretchiness to the cast on. The bumpy bottom edge works wonderfully for a project of garter stitches. Refer to our tutorial to learn more about how to do the German twisted cast on.
Alternating Long-tail Cast-on
While the regular long tail works best for stocking, the German twisted works for the garter the alternating cast on is the best bet for a rib stitch pattern. 1x1 rib or K2, P1 or any such combinations you can start with this stretchy method. Cast the knit stitches with regular long-tail while for purl stitches, first grabbing the yarn looped around the index finger and then on the thumb.
With this, you are ready to cast on. But, before you do here are a few things to know.
As we discussed above, you can take any knitting needle for practice while always using the right needles for your projects. If you are a tight knitter, you can work with two knitting needles of the same size or two different sizes to hold them together as one.
In regards to knitting accessories, not much is needed for the cast-on, but then stitch markers help. You can use them to mark the beginning of the round and also when you have multiple stitches, ay for example say 300+ then you can divide them into manageable sections in the cast on.
Get ready to cast on your stitches and begin your project and have fun while doing it.