[NFB-Krafters-Korner] Really confused about how to do the long tail cast on.

Tue Apr 23 13:56:45 UTC 2019

That's what I do also, but I think there are techniques that make a neater tighter edge than the knit cast on. I notice tiny loops going along the bottom, whereas binding off has a neater tighter edge. I wish someone would teach a class on strickly cast on techniques.

Bernice and the adorable LoLo.

-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Krafters-Korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Maria Chapman via NFB-Krafters-Korner
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 7:27 AM
To: List for blind crafters and artists <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Maria Chapman <bubbygirl1972 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFB-Krafters-Korner] Really confused about how to do the long tail cast on.

HI Ari.

i just use the knitted cast on nowadays. Not sure if there are any down sides to it. To do the knitted cast on, it’s almost like knitting a stitch but putting it on the left needle. 
step 1. make a slip knot.
step 2 Place the slip knot on your left needle.
step 3. Insert your right needle in to the stitch as if to knit.
step 4. rap yarn around needle,  again as if to knit.
step 5. Pull the stitch through but don’t take it off the needle.
Step 6. Now, Place the stitch that is on the right needle back on the left needle and pull the working yarn slightly.

If I’ve explained this wrong, feel free to correct me.

Maria

>  On 20 Apr 2019, at 10:02 pm, Ari via NFB-Krafters-Korner <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> From my understanding, the long tail of a long tail cast on doesn't get wasted--it's used as part of the cast on, which is why you are told to measure out enough yarn for the number of stiches you're going to cast on. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.
> 
> I'm brand spanking new to knitting, and casting on is just not working for me. I've heard that this long tail method gives you a nice stretchy edge for scarves and the like. If someone knows of a better cast on method, can they share what worked for them?
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Ari
> 
>> On Apr 20, 2019, at 4:08 AM, Dorothea Martin via NFB-Krafters-Korner <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello, Knitters,
>> Because of this thread I just did some long-tail cast-on. First, I over-estimated the length of my tail. Then I made a slip knot and placed it on the needle. Then I did the exact motions I would do to tie a bow except that I placed the second loop of the bow on the needle next to the slip knot and pulled the tail just a bit to tighten up the stitch. That's really all there is to it. I suggest first practicing by tying a bow and being aware of each step in the process. Make the knot before tying the bow but put it onto the needle. Make a loop around the thumb (with the long tail) and transfer the loop to the first two fingers. Push up on the other thread (the knitting thread) with the thumb, making the second loop and push it through the first loop on the fingers, exactly as if making a bow. Now thansfer that second loop to the needle next to the slip knot and tighten up the first loop, which now surrounds the loop on the needle by pulling the tail a bit. If this seems more complicated, make another bow and remember that it is far more complex to describe how to tie a bow than it is to just tie one.
>> My mother and grandmother used the long-tail cast-on almost exclusively and we used to debate which method was best. Yarn was cheaper in those days, so a long tail that got cut off and sent to the wastebasket was not seen as a problem. When I compare it to the knitted cast on, I still believe that the long-tail method is one of those vintage knitting things that are better left in the vintage bin along with the circular knitting needles with the ridged cables that my mother and grandmother also used because they hadn't come out with the circulars with smooth cables yet. All this means that if, after tying a few bows, you're still having trouble with the long tail, forget it and make a short tail and knit your stitches onto the needle. You probably won't ever need a long tail, anyway. My grandmother died in 1978 and put an end to the debates on the matter in our family and I haven't used the long tail again until today, though I have never stopped knitting.
>> Dotty Martin
>> 
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