How to: Long Tail Cast-On

ByJenn Giam Smith

The Long Tail Cast-On is my go-to for knitting. This particular cast-on has so much forgiveness and once you figure it out, I know it’ll be one of your favorites too. To get started you’ll need a few basics. Below are the materials I…

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The Long Tail Cast-On is my go-to for knitting. This particular cast-on has so much forgiveness and once you figure it out, I know it’ll be one of your favorites too.

To get started you’ll need a few basics. Below are the materials I used in both the photo explanation and the video explanation.

Materials

OK, Ready to get started?

Today we’re talking about the Long Tail Cast On. This is the one cast-on, that if you learn no other cast-on…I recommend you learn this one. Not only is this a fabulously stretchy knit cast-on, but you can also use it for Tunisian crochet! What?

Today, we’re talking about it in the knit version, but the technique works the same for Tunisian Crochet as well (a post for a different day). Oh! And don’t worry, I have a video of the entire process on YouTube. I’ll also make sure to post a version on Instagram reels for you to save as well.

OK, so we’re going to start by talking about how to “guestimate” the amount of yarn you will need. I like to wrap around the yarn around my needle the number of stitches I need (keep reading for the full details).

Before figuring this technique out, it was seriously a blind guess. Sometimes, I didn’t have enough and had to undo and start over. Other times, I had some ridiculously long tail that I inevitably would need to cut after weaving in what I needed.

To help you avoid this, I’m going to explain in full detail how I figured out how much yarn I need.

First, I suggest you start by pulling about 2 inches or so of excess yarn.

Image of me holding a knitting needle getting ready to wrap the yarn around the needle

Then, hold the yarn by your needle and begin wrapping the yarn around. Each full wrap-around is 1 stitch.

This image shows me beginning to wrap the yarn around the needle
wrapping the yarn around the needle

Does this add a little extra time and counting? Yes, but…. You will thank me when you’re not recounting for the 4th time because you didn’t guess the right length.

Once you have the length needed to begin, you will make a slip knot onto the needle.

making a slip knot

Slide the needle in and tighten (but not too tight). Okay, now to begin the long-tail cast-on process… First, we need to create a “diamond” shape hold of our yarn. You create this by holding your needle (long tail strand in front and ball/cake connected side in the back) above your opposite hand, then take your non-needle holding hand, hold the 2 strands of yarn hanging from the needle with your pinky, 4th finger, and middle finger. Then with your pointer finger and thumb, insert them between the 2 strands and separate them creating a diamond shape (see image below).

starting the long tail cast on with the diamond shape.

OK, now you’re going to take your needle, twist your hand so that it is holding the strands, and insert your needle into the loop created that is under your thumb (see image).

twist your hand so that it is holding the strands
insert your needle into the loop created that is under your thumb
insert your needle into the loop created that is under your thumb

Next, “grab” the yarn from your index finger with the needle (see image).

Next, “grab” the yarn from your index finger with the needle. This image shows the yarn wrapping the needle that is inserted.
pulling the yarn into the loop

pull the yarn through the loop (see image).

continuing to pull the yarn through the loop

Then tighten by “pulling” the yarn in the front with your thumb ( by hand).

beginning to tighten
“pulling” the yarn to tighten and create a cast-on stitch

Repeat this to the number of stitches you need.

finished cast-on stitches
another view of the finished cast-on stitches.

That’s it! For more details check out my YouTube video.

Ready to start using it? Check out these patterns:

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