Knitting Help - Long Tail Cast-On

Instruction for working the long-tail cast on in knitting.

To learn how to estimate how long to leave your tail for this cast-on (especially if you're casting on a ton of stitches!), watch "Knitting Help - Casting-On Many Stitches" here:

[chocolatemint]

I’ve always been scared of the long tail cast on because people make it seem so complicated but you explained it so simply and so well

[katweber]

Omg!! This is by far the best longtail cast on tutorial ever!! I watched so many videos and could not figure it out. This is short & sweet and SO easy to understand!! Thank you!!!

[wilddove]

This was the technique I was looking for! This is how my mom always casted on - when I was young she would cast on for me and I’d try to knit. I eventually gave up on knitting and went to crochet. I’m back learning how to knit but my mom isn’t here anymore so I couldn’t ask her how to do it. You filled in a gap for me! Thank you so much. As I’m doing it I can visualize her doing the same thing. I hope I can knit as well as her someday.

[paulaweil]

i have watched MANY videos for long tail cast on BUT yours is the one that i understood immediately. THANK YOU!!

[verypinkknits]

@TheBusterFamily Yes, there is sort of a rough formula you can use. Starting at the end of your yarn and leaving yourself about a 6-inch tail, wrap the yarn around the needle the same number of times you need for a cast-on number. Then make your slip knot when you're finished, and you'll have enough yarn. If your cast-on number is large, just wrap the needle half the number of times, then double the length of yarn. :)

[Moonbeamchild]

This was so simple! Most tutorials i see have both strands on the same hand, so its hard to understand how it works. Thank you!

[genegenie]

Thank you so much for this clear and short video. So much more helpful that the annoying ones as long as a short film.

[ChelseyHartman]

FINALLY. I have been struggling to learn this particular cast on FOREVER. No one could teach it in a way that made sense. THANK YOU!

[dawn]

Love this ❤❤❤❤ I have used this method for 50 plus years and didn’t know it was called the slingshot method. Thank you 🎉

[BigBri]

I've been putting off and putting off starting a new knit because the pattern wants me to use long-tail cast on- and this video is the clearest, easiest tutorial I've found! It took me less than a minute to learn thanks to this video! ❤

[verypinkknits]

Thank you for the note, Deborah. :) It's really just a personal preference. I prefer the non-slingshot long-tail cast-on (as demonstrated in this video) because I feel like I have more control of the tension. They both create the exact same CO, so it's really up to you and the one you prefer working.

[glitterysparkles]

definitely the best video for long tail cast on. thank you 😊

[lindalanteigne]

That is the easiest long tail cast-on that I have tempted. Thank you for making it so simple.

[veronicahilliard]

I always try to go to your videos before others when I need to learn something new. You’re such a lifesaver! You’re explanations are always so easy to follow and I am very grateful. One day I hope to use continental stitching.☺️

[kkfung]

I am not a knitter, but I love the way the video series is produced: A clean and tasteful backdrop with slow close-up white-background demonstrations.

[virginialee]

I have been struggling with how to do a longtail cast on. This is by far the easiest and simplest way to learn to do it. Thanks!!!

[SuddenUpdraft]

With double point needles I like to cast on with a straight needle and then knit to the double points, being careful not to twist. It’s so much easier to count and keep from falling off the needles. I like to use a stitch marker every 20 cast on stitches for counting.

[txnightowl]

Thank you for sharing this. For years I've had trouble with the long-tail cast on because it was always too tight compared to the rest of the fabric. I tried your two-handed technique rather than the slingshot and it works! Now my cast on edge isn't so tight and the fabric isn't puckered at that edge. Thank you again!

[meganmorrow]

You saved my sanity! Every other video I watched was too difficult and this was super easy. Thank you again!

[Arewitheyes]

I was struggling with this a LOT and it was starting to haunt me that I couldn't figure it out. This video helped me. Thank you for quieting my thoughts.