What’s with the Long-Tail Cast-on knitting instructions?

Ina Gilmore — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:09:46 +0000

As a child, I learned to knit.

My knitting was a mixture of: what my mother taught me, what I learned from a knitting pamphlet, and my own invention. Amazingly enough, it worked. Actually, it worked quite well. That is, until I attempted circular knitting and lace.

They were much less forgiving than knitting, purling, and even cables.

Over the past few years I’ve been seeking new ways (for me) to cast on. In retrospect my original cast-on either never made it to the knitting manuals or I remembered it wrong. Which is probably why it was so difficult challenging.

When I learned a two needle cast on by knitting the stitches on, my heart leaped. Now I could cast-on by simply knitting stitches on the needle. How cool is that?

Recently, I found the long-tail cast-on in Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop. Not only is it fast, it’s almost effortless to keep the stitches consistent and even. Once again, I’m in awe of Elizabeth’s knitting expertise. Of course, she may not have invented this cast-on.

Its added bonus: with the cast-on, your first row of knitting is complete. Now that’s really clever!!

Knit side row 1 long-tail cast-on

Purl side long-tail cast-on

The pictures are a bit blurry, so the completed row may not be obvious. It’s there, though!

Here’s a picture of a simple afghan square I made with the long-tail cast on:

Here’s the link for this simple afghan square’s free knitting instructions.

So, why are the long-tail cast-on knitting instructions popular?

You can cast-on quickly.
The stitches slip on and can be adjusted so all stitches are even without hours of practice!
Once you finish your cast-on row, your first row is knit. So you can start with row 2: a real time saver!
It can be started without the first stitch being a slip knot. Combined with the even stitches, this makes a very straight border.
It’s easy to learn.

And yes, it’s already one of my favorite cast-on methods! My only question: Why didn’t I know about it before now?

Oh, and here’s my completed Log Cabin Afghan Square, and a second version. It’s definitely faster to piece them for a quilt!

Completed Log Cabin Afghan Square

Log Cabin Version 2

And these edges are all bind-offs, because the cast-on is for the center square.

If Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop isn’t part of your knitting library, you should seriously consider it. See if you also find this small book a treasure of knitting information.

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Knitting instructions: How do you cast on loosely?

Ina Gilmore — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:16:09 +0000

The first socks I knit had no stretch, were cast on too tightly, and never worn. For many years they stayed in my parents’ chest of drawers because only a parent could love those socks.

I remember knitting them, having learned to knit a year or two before. My mother bought me a kit to knit argyle socks, and I was using knitting bobbins for the first time. Also I was knitting for the first time with colors and in the round. In retrospect, it was a project far beyond my years — both in knitting experience and my actual age. Still, I stubbornly completed two socks.

If you’ve ever had a sweater, a hat, or a pair of gloves with a too-tight band, you know the pitfalls of casting on too tightly: not only can the edge constrict and be uncomfortable, they can also wear unevenly or even fray.

Knitting loosely can also be critical when knitting lace, or an edging that’s irregular, like a rippled afghan or entrelac. That is if you want the edge to lie flat, and not pull funny.

Loose cast on

There are several ways to cast on loosely. Some are better for certain projects, or certain knitters. Not every cast on technique fits every knitter. It’s okay to pick and choose the technique you like. Learning more than one technique can come in handy. You may want a different edge depending upon the yarn, the pattern, or even just the project.

Is one of these your favorite method to cast on loosely?

Adjusting the tension in the yarn to cast on loosely.
Casting on a larger needle: one that’s a size or two larger than the needles with which you’ll be knitting.
Holding two needles together to cast on. You hold the needles as if they are one, and may want to slip one off before starting to knit.
Casting on with two needles and a long tail cast. There’s a video with the knitting instructions here.
This is probably best for the knitter both familiar and comfortable with the long tail cast on method.
Another option is one from Knitting with Laura. She ingeniously uses a crochet hook to cast on, and spaces the cast-on stitches with chain stitches between. Her knitting instructions are here.
I’ve used this one, and it works beautifully for both entrelac and ripple stitch.

What’s your favorite method?

Garter ripple kitchen set

When you’re looking for a quick project to try out your loose casting on method, check out my Knit Garter Ripple Kitchen Set pattern here.

The Knitting Yarn » Cast on

What’s with the Long-Tail Cast-on knitting instructions?

Knitting instructions: How do you cast on loosely?