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Learn to Knit – Long Tail Cast On

Learn to Knit Videos - Getting Started

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Learn how to start your knitting project with this video and photo tutorial for the long-tail cast on!

Learn how to start your knitting project with a long tail cast on!

 

 

The long tail cast on is my favorite cast on, I used it for pretty much all of my knitting projects unless it’s otherwise specified. I like that’s it’s super fast and stretchy but strong. 

I know it looks tricky at first but once you learn the movement, you’ll be able to cast on stitches with the long cast on sooo fast! To be honest, I can now cast on so quickly that it’s become one of my favorite parts of knitting. My family knows if I’m casting on and counting to myself, DO NOT INTERRUPT me. You know what I mean? Losing count of your stitches is the worst. 

Most people recommend about 4 times the width of your project to determine the amount of yarn you need for a long tail cast on. I tend to add a little extra because there’s nothing more annoying than casting on like 200 stitches and finding out after 190 that you’re not going to have enough yarn!

Be sure to watch the video in this post to see long tail cast on in action!

Long Tail Cast On Instructions

 

  1. Start with a slip knot on your right needle and a long tailStart Long Tail Cast on with a slip knot and a long tail of yarn on your right needle
  2. Keep the long tail to the left and put your left thumb and pointer finger between the long tail and the working yarn.To start a long tail cast on, put your thumb and pointer between the two yarn tails
  3. Hold the yarn as shown with your left thumb and pointer between the long tail and the working yarnLearn the correct way to hold the yarn with your left hand for a long tail cast on
  4. Close the rest of your fingers around the yarn and straighten your thumb and pointer fingerLearn the correct way to hold the yarn with your left hand for a long tail cast on
  5. Put the needle through the loop around your thumbTo begin a long tail cast on, put the needle through the loop of yarn going around your thumb To form the stitch for a long tail cast on, use the needle to sweep and grab the yarn from your pointer finger
  6. Then sweep and grab the working yarn from your pointer fingerTo form the stitch for a long tail cast on, use the needle to sweep and grab the yarn from your pointer finger
  7. Pull it through the loop on your thumb To form the stitch for a long tail cast on, use the needle to sweep and grab the yarn from your pointer finger
  8. Pull to tighten, you have cast on one stitchTo finish the stitch for the long tail cast on, pull to tighten
  9. Straighten your thumb and pointer and repeatRepeat these easy steps for use a long tail cast on to start your knitting project
Yield: 1 long tail cast on

How to Do a Long Tail Cast On

Learn how to start your knitting project with a long tail cast on!

Learn how to start your knitting project with a long tail cast on.

Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $0

Materials

Tools

Instructions

  1. Start with a slip knot on your right needle and a long tailStart Long Tail Cast on with a slip knot and a long tail of yarn on your right needle
  2. Keep the long tail to the left and put your left thumb and pointer finger between the long tail and the working yarn. To start a long tail cast on, put your thumb and pointer between the two yarn tails
  3. Hold the yarn as shown with your left thumb and pointer between the long tail and the working yarnLearn the correct way to hold the yarn with your left hand for a long tail cast on
  4. Close the rest of your fingers around the yarn and straighten your thumb and pointer fingerLearn the correct way to hold the yarn with your left hand for a long tail cast on
  5. Put the needle through the loop around your thumbTo form the stitch for a long tail cast on, use the needle to sweep and grab the yarn from your pointer finger
  6. Then sweep and grab the working yarn from your pointer fingerTo form the stitch for a long tail cast on, use the needle to sweep and grab the yarn from your pointer finger
  7. Pull it through the loop on your thumb To form the stitch for a long tail cast on, use the needle to sweep and grab the yarn from your pointer finger
  8. Pull to tighten, you have cast on one stitchTo finish the stitch for the long tail cast on, pull to tighten
  9. Straighten your thumb and pointer and repeat Repeat these easy steps for use a long tail cast on to start your knitting project

Notes

Watch the video tutorial to see the long tail cast on in motion!

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© Cassie May
Project Type: Learn to Knit / Category: knitting
Cassie May
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