How to Cast On Knitting: Long Tail Method for Beginners

Steps

1. 1. Pick Beginner-Friendly Yarn and Needles

   Use bulky weight yarn for your first cast on. Lion Brand Hometown USA, Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, or any chunky yarn works - the thick strands are easier to see and harder to drop than fine yarn.

   

2. 2. Measure a Long Tail

   The long tail cast on uses two strands of yarn - the working yarn and a tail. The tail needs to be long enough to make every stitch in your foundation row.

   

3. 3. Make a Slipknot and Slide It On the Needle

   At your tail measurement point, make a loop with the yarn. Bring the working strand behind the loop so it bisects it, then reach through the loop and pull that strand through to form a slipknot.

   

4. 4. Hold the Yarn in Slingshot Grip

   Pinch the slipknot against the needle with your right index finger to keep it from rolling. With your left hand, dip your fingers under both strands of yarn and grip them with your bottom three fingers.

   

5. 5. Insert Needle Into the Thumb Loop

   With your right hand, bring the needle tip down to touch the front of your thumb. Slide the needle up into the loop your thumb has formed - the needle is now inside the thumb loop, touching the strand that runs along your thumb.

   

6. 6. Wrap the Working Yarn Around the Needle

   The strand running along your left index finger is the working yarn (still attached to the ball). Use the needle tip to scoop that strand from back to front, so it wraps over the top of the needle.

   

7. 7. Lift the Thumb Loop Over and Tighten

   Use your needle tip to lift the thumb loop up and over the wrapped yarn, then drop the loop off your thumb completely. Pull the tail strand down gently to snug the new stitch against the needle.

   Tip: If your stitches end up tight against the needle and hard to slide, you're pulling the tail too hard at the end.