When to use long tail cast on?

The Long Tail Cast-on is structurally identical to a backwards loop cast on plus a row of knitting, making it sturdier and less prone to stretch out as you knit than a simple loop cast on. You can use the Long Tail Cast-on for just about any knitting project .

What is the best cast on method?

The long tail cast-on is one of the most popular methods of casting on stitches onto your needle. Often referred to as the double cast-on or continental cast-on, this method offers a stretchy and sturdy stitch which is not just simple but fast to make as well.

Does it matter how you cast on in knitting?

Many knitters think there is only one way for casting on stitches, and that is usually the way that we learned when we first began knitting. The truth is there are many ways to cast on, from simple to specialist methods, and how you start your project can make all the difference to your finished projects.

Are there different ways to cast on in knitting?

This quick guide will run through some of the most popular techniques for casting on, as well as some of their more popular names. 01 of 07. Wrap Cast On. ... 02 of 07. Knit Cast On. ... 03 of 07. Cable Cast On. ... 04 of 07. Long-Tail Cast On. ... 05 of 07. Provisional Cast On. ... 06 of 07. German Twisted Cast On. ... 07 of 07. Frilled Cast On. Nov 12, 2019

How do you cast on and off in knitting?

How to Cast Off Step 1: Insert your needle to knit, and then knit your first and second stitch. Step 2: Pull the first stitch over your second stitch. ... Pro tip: To avoid curling when casting off, make sure you don't pull too tightly at the stitches. Step 3: Knit your third stitch. More items... Feb 16, 2021

What are the disadvantages of a long tail cast on?

Some people don't like it because they find that it is: hard to estimate the length of yarn to leave for your long tail. it is not stretchy enough.

Why use the thumb method of casting on?

Casting on - thumb method Easy for anyone new to knitting to master, the thumb method is often the go-to for those working on a pattern that requires a loose edge . It's also good to use if your project requires a great number of stitches to be cast on before you can start knitting.

Is cast on considered row 1?

To count how many rows of knit stitches you've worked, you'll count the ridges on both sides of your work and add them together. Your cast on row doesn't count as a row of knitting !

How to cast-on neatly in knitting?

Here is a quick and easy tip that helped me achieve what I wanted: use a larger size needle when casting on ! It is that simple! If the tension of the cast on is too tight, your knit will tend to pull at the edge. To avoid that extra tension, use a larger needle size only for the cast on.

What is the best casting method?

Sand casting offers the simplest medium for production of non ferrous castings, by pouring molten zinc, aluminium or copper alloys into a sand mould. Wooden or Resin Patterns. Lowest Tooling cost, but higher unit production costs. Ideal for prototypes and small volume production, of 1 to 500 per annum.

What is the best cast-on for sweater hem?

My go-to cast-on is the German Twisted (aka Old Norwegian) cast-on . It's pretty similar to a long-tail cast-on, but it's a bit stretchier thanks to a little extra twist. It's firm, but not too tight, making it perfect for sock cuffs, sweater hems, and any other project that needs a more flexible edge.

How to Cast-On | KnittingHelp.com (2024)

All knitting begins with a cast-on, which creates loops on the needle. Long Tail Cast-on is a favorite. Cable Cast-on (or the similar Knitting On) is also quite nice, and good to know for buttonholes at least. After the cast-on, you can work the knit stitch or the purl stitch, which are the foundation stitches of knitting.

Long-Tail Cast-On

Also known as Double Cast-On or Continental Cast-On

view video

This is my favorite cast on method, I use it almost exclusively. It creates an even, stretchy edge that works well for stockinette stitch or for ribbing. It's easy to knit from, easy to pick up stitches from, and is also the fastest cast-on I know, once you get the hang of it. It's even faster than Single Cast-On when you take into account that this method creates an already knitted row (technically, anyway...but patterns don't count this row).

Tip: When a pattern calls to "cast on loosely" (like sock cuffs and turtle necks), I will do this cast on over two needles held together as one. Results are a cast on that is literally as stretchy as your ribbing.

I usually give myself 12" of tail for every 20 stitches, more generously if it's bulky yarn. Do what works for your tension. (1/2-1" of tail per stitch.)

I specify to dangle the tail from your thumb for two reasons: 1) Your tail length will not fluctuate with the needle size, so it's easier to estimate yarn. 2) The yarn on the thumb side will tend to "untwist" as you go, but since it's not attached to the ball end it's easy to reintroduce the twist as you wish.

Alternative Method
There is another method of working longtail cast-on, which is a slower to work, called the thumb method. Here's a video:view video

Long-Tail cast-on (with stockinette)

Long-Tail cast-on (with ribbing)

Single Cast-On

Also known as Backward-Loop Cast-On

view video

Easiest method to learn, but tricky to knit from evenly.

Cable Cast-On

Knitting-On

view continental videoview english video

This is a nice method for teaching a new knitter, since it's just the knit stitch, repeatedly made into the last stitch and kept on the left needle. Personally I find this far easier to work than cable cast-on, and often substitute it when Cable Cast On is called for.

Start with a slip knot: view video. *Knit 1, leaving stitch on left needle. Transfer new stitch onto left needle by slipping it knit-wise. Repeat from *.

German Twisted Cast-On

Also known as Old Norwegian Cast-On

view video

Worked in a similar way as Long-Tail Cast-On, but trickier and using a longer tail. This inserts an extra twist into the thumb loop, and there is more drag and difficulty when snugging up each stitch.

Try to avoid over-tightening in your attempt at making this even. When done at a good tension, this can gave a nice springy edge. Some sock knitters love this CO.

Invisible (Provisional) Cast-On

Also known as Looped Cast-On

view video

This is a provisional cast-on: one that can be easily undone to expose live stitches, and then knit from seamlessly. Usually done with a second piece of yarn that is ultimately removed, I sometimes do it with the flexible cable of a cable needle. When done with a cable needle, the picked up stitches can be knit directly from the needle.

Start with a slip knotview videofor the working yarn. Skip the first wrapping of the working yarn on the first cast on stitch, and go directly to wrapping the provisional yarn or cable, as shown in the video (coming soon).

Note: When you go to knit off of this bottom edge, every other stitch (ie. on the cable needle) will be twisted. You must knit (or purl) through the back loop of the twisted stitches. (see "k tbl," and "p tbl" in the abbreviations explained page)

Provisional Crochet Cast-On

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There is more than one way to work a provisional crochet cast-on. This is my favorite. Start it with a slip knot. Use scrap yarn for this, then knit off of it with your working yarn. When you want to later expose live stitches, just unravel the crochet from the completed cast-on end. Use a smooth cotton yarn, or similar, for the CO edge, to make it easier to remove. (Alpaca and other fuzzy yarns can actually begin to felt in place, making them difficult to remove).

Alternate Cable Cast-On

view video

This has a very discreet edge against k1 p1 ribbing.

In the video I comment that it's tricky to work. For me, it's because I tend to work it too tightly, and need to focus on keeping it loose. It also requires some clumsy movements as a Continental knitter. Sorry English knitters, I don't have a demo in English. As one viewer commented, it certainly would be more straight forward to an English knitter, although I would still stress that you want to work it loosely.

Start with a slip knot: view video. Knit into the slip knot, leaving the stitch on the left needle. Place the new stitch on left needle by slipping it knit-wise. Then *Purl into space between last two stitches. Place stitch on left needle by slipping knit wise. Knit into space between last two stitches. Place on left needle by slipping knit wise. Repeat from *, ending with the knit stitch, so there's an even number of stitches (including the slip knot). *k1, p1* on the following rows for ribbing.

TIP: Using a crochet hook in the right hand can make this cast on easier. (Thanks to Jean A. in NC for writing in this tip.)