Tutorials >
Knit > Double Cast On / Long-Tail Cast On
This cast-on is the one that most people learn first. It is important
not to make your cast-on too tight - not only because it makes your first row
harder to work, but also because it will make the starting edge of the fabric
tight and inelastic. Many people prefer to cast-on over both needles in
order to assure a nice, loose cast-on row.
This cast-on makes a "right side" row: if you will be
working in stockinette, it is easiest to work a purl row first after this cast
on is complete.
To work the Long-Tail / Double Cast-on:
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Step 1: Make a slip knot
on your right needle,
ensuring that your tail is of the appropriate length. This slip knot
will count as your first stitch. The generally-accepted length for a tail is
1" for every stitch you will be casting on plus 12" extra, but this is a
rough estimate only. For fine gauge yarns this may be too much, and
for bulky weight yarns this may be too little. Wrap the tail end of your
yarn around your left thumb and wrap your working yarn around your left
index finger, as pictured. Secure the ends of the yarn in your palm
with your other fingers to keep tension on the yarn. |
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Step 2: Insert the hook from bottom to top
through the loop of tail yarn on your thumb. |
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Step 3: Keeping the needle in the loop created by
the tail yarn on the thumb, insert the needle from top to bottom over the
working yarn held on the left index finger. Draw this strand through
the loop of tail yarn... |
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Step 4: ...to create a stitch on your needle.
Remove your thumb from the loop and pull on tail to tighten stitch (avoid
making too tight!). Continue in this way until the desired number of
stitches have been cast on. |