[NFB-Blind-Crafters] Long-tail cast-on

[carcione at access.net]

Annette, I think this is an excellent tip, and one I’ll try to remember if I ever go back to the long-tail.

 

Someone suggested we have “Tips Tuesday”, and this would fit well with that, besides the current discussion.  

Anyone want to start us off with a tip Tuesday?  Feel free.

Tracy

 

 

From: NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Annette via NFB-Blind-Crafters
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2026 2:22 PM
To: 'List for Blind Crafters and Artists' <nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org>
Cc: amcarr1 at verizon.net
Subject: Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Long-tail cast-on

 

Long Tail Cast on Tip – If you do not know how much yarn you will need for your tail, use one end from the skein as the yarn from the ball, and the other end of the skein as the long tail.  Once you have casted on the needed number of stitches, cut the yarn that you appointed as the long tail.  I usually place a stich marker or twist-tie on the strand that is my long tail.  This is helpful if I have to put my work down and pick it back up later.

 

HTH,

Annette

 

 

From: NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Dixie via NFB-Blind-Crafters
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2026 1:43 PM
To: 'List for Blind Crafters and Artists' <nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Dixie <cobaltblueheron at gmail.com <mailto:cobaltblueheron at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Long-tail cast-on

 

Cindy,

 

I think you and I may do the long-tail cast on similarly.

 

I have a slip knot on my needle which is held in my right hand.

 

The long tail comes off that slip knot and between my thumb and pointer finger, around the back of my thumb, and into the middle of my palm and  is held against the palm of my hand with my 3rd or middle finger, 4th or ring finger, and 5th or pinky finger.  The ball yarn comes off the slip knot on the needle, goes between my thumb and pointer finger, goes around the back of my pointer finger, comes towards my palm between my pointer finger and my middle finger,  and is held in the palm of my hand with the 3rd, 4th and 5th fingers.

 

To make a cast on stitch, I hold those strands against the palm of my hand the entire time.  The tip of the needle goes under the strand of yarn that is at the outside of the base of my thumb, comes up between the strand of yarn and the side of my thumb,  up and over the next two strands, down behind that third strand which is the ball yarn strand, the needle tip comes back up between that third strand and the second strand.  As it comes back up between those two strands, I pinch the tips of my thumb and pointer finger so they touch.  This creates a loop around my thumb which I slip onto the tip of the needle making my first cast on stitch.

 

I then reoriented my thumb so the strands are back in order.  and start again.

 

 

 

Dixie

🌷 🌸 🕊️ 🌸 🌷

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. Song of Songs 2:11-12 (NIV)

 

From: NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of slery via NFB-Blind-Crafters
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2026 1:04 AM
To: Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: slery <slerythema at gmail.com <mailto:slerythema at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Long-tail cast-on

 

Wow, this is totally different from what I do. The yarn is around my thumb and forefinger on the left hand needle and the right hand needle does a series of under and over to make the stitch.

Cindy

On 8/1/2026 2:09 PM, Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters wrote:

I remember it!

Put the ball of yarn where you usually would for knitting.

I’m right-handed, so I put the ball on my right.

Make a slip knot with a long tail and put the loop on the needle.

Put the tail out to the left.

>From here on, treat the left thumb as if it’s a knitting needle.  

Loop the tail over the thumb so it crosses under itself (as if you’re doing the beginner’s overhand loop cast-on).

Knit the loop off your thumb, just as you would if you were knitting a stitch off a needle.  

I bring the knitting yarn around behind the needle clockwise for the cast-on, but I’m not sure it matters.

Snug it up nice and even, but not too tight, gently tugging on the tail and the knitting yarn..

Repeat.

 

If this doesn’t make sense, or people want in-person teaching, Tracy M can teach her class whenever she can do it.

 

Tracy Carcione

 

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