Long Tail Cast-on

Long Tail Cast-on

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Long Tail Cast-on

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Step By Step

Long Tail Cast-on

If you are just starting with knitting or want to strengthen your basic skills, the long tail cast-on is a great technique to learn early. It works with a variety of stitch patterns, helps maintain consistent yarn tension, creates neat, polished edges, and is less likely to unravel than other beginner cast-ons.      

This method creates a clean, flexible edge and maintains even stitches from the start, making it ideal for hat brims, sweater bottoms, and ribbed edges. You can use it for cozy scarves and cowls, the cuffs of mittens and socks, baby blankets, cabled throw blankets, dishcloths, headbands, and the body of cardigans or pullovers. 

It works smoothly over one needle and gives your project a strong, even start. The guide below will walk you through the long tail cast-on process simply and clearly.              

Step 1: The first cast-on stitch

With the needle in your right hand, make a slip knot and place it on the needle. Be sure to leave a long tail end to accommodate the number of stitches you will need to cast on. The slip knot will count as the first stitch cast.

Step 1 : Slip knot on the right hand needle.

Step 2: Get in the Sling Shot position

Place your left hand thumb and pointer finger between the two strands hanging from the needle on your right side. Separate your thumb and index finger to hold the two strands apart from each other.          

Wrap the bottom 3 fingers around the strands, holding them to your palm. With your right fingertip on the slip knot, gently pull the knitting needle down, so your working yarn looks like a slingshot.                                

Step 2 : Yarn wrapped around thumb and index finger in slingshot position.

Step 3: Needle tip to the base of the thumb

You should see that there is a loop wrapped around your thumb and a strand of yarn wrapped around your index finger. Bring the needle tip in your down to the base of your thumb, to the left of the loop wrapped around your thumb.

Step 3 : Needle positioned beneath crossed thumb strands.

Step 4: Go through the loop

Slide the needle from the base of your thumb to the tip of your thumb. Your needle should travel through the loop wrapped around your left thumb. As you move forward, stay aware of the previous stitch so the spacing between stitches remains even and does not tighten like in a backwards loop cast.              

Step 4 :Needle enters thumb loop for cast-on.

Step 5: Grab the index finger yarn

Bring the needle away from your thumb and over to the strand of yarn wrapped around your index finger. Wrap the yarn from your index finger around the needle counterclockwise.     

Step 5 : Right hand needle wrapping around yarn on the index finger.

Step 6: Go back through the thumb loop

With the index finger yarn wrapped around it, bring the needle back to the tip of your thumb. Slide the needle down your thumb and through the loop wrapped around your thumb. Bring the needle away from your hand. You have cast on another stitch!

Step 6 : First stitch secured on needle.

Step 7: Remove the thumb loop

Remove your thumb from the loop. You will then need to grab the other strand of yarn coming from your needle with your thumb and tighten it. You should see the original loop of yarn that was wrapped around your thumb tighten up against the needle.    

Step 7 : Alt: Left hand loop removed from thumb.

Step 8: Reposition

You are now set up to reposition into the sling shot. You will notice the yarn around your thumb feels a bit loose, and the yarn around the index finger is tight. 

Pull back down in the sling shot position by taking slack from the yarn wrapped around your index finger. Repeat steps 3-8 until you have your desired number of knit stitches.             

Step 8: Hand repositioned with yarn in the sling slot position.

Cast on With Confidence Using the Long Tail Method                  

The long tail cast-on gives you a simple way to create a strong, flexible foundation for knitting. Before you start, plan how much yarn you need so you can complete all the stitches without running out.  

Check out our full tutorial video with tips on:

  • How to fix a tight cast on
  • Never run out of yarn for your long tail
  • How to pick up a dropped cast on stitch

Join our growing community of makers by sharing photos of your first long-tail cast-on on social media using the hashtag #Thread&Maple. Visit our learning hub to improve your knitting skills and explore premium knitting tools and accessories designed to support and elevate your craft.

 

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Full How-To Video

Long Tail Cast-on

Watch it on YouTube
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Questions & Feedback

Got a question about the technique? Want to share what worked for you? Leave a comment! We’re here, we’re listening, and we’ll reply as soon as we can.