How to Start your Knitting with the Long Tail Cast on and Estimate the Tail Good for Beginners

[@sharoncombs58]

Your's is the best long tail casting on video I've watched--and I've watched several, believe me! You have demonstrated and explained SO well! Edit: I subscribed!!!!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad my way of teaching clicked with your learning style.

[@joanlips7589]

Great instructor !!!

[@janerogers1450]

Thank you Barbara! ❤You are the first one who has actually addressed where the placement of the working yarn and the tail yarn is placed on the hand & was struggling trying to first work it with the one side or the other and it was terribly frustrating .

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I am so glad I was able to address your issue. It is very easy to forget that not everyone knows the minute details when you are doing a demo. Happy Knitting!

[@elsawelsa10]

Barbara you make no assumptions about what a knitting newbie knows. Excellent instructor!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thank you for this feedback. When I make tutorials that are targeted at true beginners I try very hard to remember how I felt when I was learning. There are a lot of things that become so automatic that experienced knitters pretty much forget that they ever had to be taught the thing in the first place. I hope my videos can continue to help you grow in your knitting journey.

[@candaceweiss6344]

Yay! Thank you so much, long tail cast-on is finally clicking for me. I am a brand new knitter.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Fantastic! I am glad the video helped.

[@w101profesora]

Your video is the best I have seen. I have tried to teach CO and have always sent my learner to your video. They love it!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thank you so much. I am glad that my teaching style meshes with your learning style.

[@cherylpollack7827]

Thank you so much for your excellent tutorial. I finally worked out how to do the long tail cast on without wasting a lot of yarn 😊

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

It is the bane of many knitters existence LOL! Have fun.

[@polarbeer1132]

Finally found someone's knitting videos that I like! Your tone is very neutral, easy to follow, not too fast or slow and you remind me of the literature teacher that inspired me to learn knitting. :D

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

That is wonderful to hear. I hope to continue to earn your views.

[@robertatrotter7552]

Thank you so much! I must have watched close to 100 videos on how to cast on using the long tail cast. Yours was the clearest, slowest and best demonstration! I feel much more confident going forward.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I am glad my style of teaching clicked with your style of learning. It's one of the reasons it is great there are so many different creators here on this platform. Hopefully some of my other videos will be helpful as well!

[@jmicone6895]

Your excellent narration and excellent video skills make your tutorials the very best!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Oh thank you so much for taking the time to say such lovely things!

[@karenrichardson6767]

This is the way I was taught years ago. I needed a refresher, so, thank you!!!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

It's a classic for a reason!

[@patwilson-h3u]

You are an excellent teacher for beginners. I have watched mini mini videos, and have crocheted since I was about three and you are the first one that I have seen go into detail about like making the slipknot and very good pictures in your video showing how to do it.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm so glad I can help you on your knitting journey. I do tend to get very involved in the minutiae LOL.

[@mackenzieasmr9694]

Thank you!!! I’ve been trying to get this for weeks and you helped me so quickly!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad I could help!

[@tinekejoldersma]

You never forget ones learned, do you? My gran taught me as a little one and I still can do this. I love knitted casts on too. Your tutorial was super clear. Hope the camera issues soon will be helped, Barbara. Thanks for the video.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Fingers crossed for tech solutions.

[@KarynBrown-k5d]

Thank you so much! Brilliant teaching , I can do it!! With love from Australia!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

You can totally do it. I love my Aussie knitters!

[@blueisasomedancer]

I'd heard the first way of explaining it of "go through the second loop" and my brain just could not put the pieces together and the second explanation finally finally finally made this cast on click. And the double skein cast ok made my life a million times easier with a project that's 120 stitches long, absolutely genius Thank you so much for this tutorial!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm so glad it clicked for you and you will find this useful!

[@charlott2928]

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! NO MORE FEAR OF WASTING YARN. NO MORE REMEASURING AND CASTING ON AGAIN! BLESS YOU! I MAKE AFGHANS THIS AN ANSWER TO MY PAYERS. WELL, AT LEAST TO MY CUSSING. AGAIN, THANK YOU.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

If you are doing afghans you typically have more than one skein of yarn so you might find this technique even easier and faster: kzbin.infoz-x7mlcAEc4

[@kerrylang8688]

Hi Barbara thanks for such a comprehensive but straight forward instruction. I can't believe I've been knitting since I was a kid and have only just discovered long tail.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

There are over a hundred different cast-ons so don't feel left out ... just keep exploring LOL

[@abbeyellis8021]

Super clear for an absolute beginner thank you

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Fantastic! That was my goal.

[@hjkahvedjian4628]

Thank you! I have to look long at all cast on up every time I need it, yet I feel like your tutorial will help me remember it for good. Thanks for explaining each part so well!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bdteboe]

I love your hint for using two balls of yarn when casting on a large number of stitches. I will be using on my next sweater.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Wonderful!

[@janettestrong8388]

I love your videos and your laugh, brings a smile to me every time. Thank you. I have done the long tail cast on as my “go to” since I started knitting socks. I tend to over estimate and the remains of the tail I wind onto a bread bag tag (plastic bobbin looking thing lol) and leave it there for 2 reasons, 1, It doesn’t get confused with the working yarn and 2, it looks neater and doesn’t tangle up.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I need to start using bobbins. The number of times I've accidentally knit half a row with the tail is too many to count LOL!

[@georgiaconstantine6454]

Thank you so much! Best example I have found!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad it helped!

[@Sleepyhead_Reya]

Thank you so much for making this video, I wanted to knit a heart-shaped coaster but the video I was watching for it was using the long tail cast on and I didn't know how to do that until watching your video. So thank you so much for making this video it's really going to help me complete the project I am working on. ❤

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

It is a very common cast on and a great one to have in your repertoire. But I want to encourage you to not let not knowing a cast on prevent you from knitting a pattern. With some exceptions, you can frequently substitute in another cast-on.

[@AmyBates-y9x]

Great video. Well, explained. Thank for tip on using separate yarns to start the cast on. Thanks again.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

You are so welcome!

[@madonnakennedy6009]

Very good explanation. I am a beginner knitter. Watched a couple tutorials. Yours is the best Thank you

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@53bjwinter]

This is a wonderful video. Your instructions are spot on and very easy to follow. Thanks!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your kind words.

[@jesserja]

thank you for this! I've been crocheting for a few years and find it super simple compared to knitting. When I tried to learn casting on my stitches looked like a giant mess. After your video they finally look decent!

[@sandrawalker6733]

Thank you very much! I understand now!!!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Great! I'm so glad it helped!

[@judithburke3637]

Thankyou I’ve got it a bit tight yet but very clear tutorial

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Knitting tight is one of those things that lots of people do when starting out. Relax!

[@TrishAnne4468]

Thank you so much for making this cast on easier for me to understand. I have watched other videos but never got it. You made it so easy for me... I did have extra on my long tail though. I think I counted for 50 stiches instead of 40 (my bad lol)

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm glad it was helpful ... we've all been there with excess tail LOL

[@TrishAnne4468]

I think I have figured out why I had such a long tail left... I do it with the working yarn over my thumb and that tail yarn over my finger.. strange huh but it works for me lol @@WatchBarbaraKnit

[@laurelstieg9375]

Great ideas as always...I love Curiosity on your mannequin..I am on my 3rd repeat so far...really cool..👍🧶❣

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

How cool! I hope you are still enjoying the pattern!

[@MrsIrisannie]

Thanks, I found this video easy to follow!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Excellent! Happy Knitting!

[@cathieperolman9726]

So helpful! I have wanted to learn that for a long time! I always did the other way because that is what my mom taught me. But now I think I can really do this!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

You're on your way. There are tons of fun cast ons to explore.

[@AllegraRiley]

Thank you! Brilliant ways to not have to estimate my long tales!!!

[@RebeccaBaldwin-o4k]

Excellent instructions!!!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thank you!

[@29riverad]

Thank you! Extremely helpful! ❤

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

So glad!

[@louettesommers8594]

Thank you Barbara.✋

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@louettesommers8594]

@@WatchBarbaraKnit you are very welcome .

[@paulinewilliam1178]

Great Teacher! Thank You

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lizhammond1681]

Thank you so much - very clear, and now, very easy!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I am so glad that the video was helpful.

[@VirgsB]

Thank you so much! I now understand the cast on process better!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

That is fantastic to hear.

[@ejsimms]

You're such a good teacher. I have a casting on question. With the long- tail cast on, the knit cast on or cable cast on, is the cast on row considered the first row or is the return row the first row? It's confusing when I'm trying to count those first rows.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm afraid there is no definitive answer for your question. Your pattern should tell you. That said, I don't know that I've even seen the cast on be called "Row 1". A pattern typically says something like "Cast on X number of sts" and then "Row 1: blah blah blah." Sometimes that first row will say something like "Set up row: blah blah blah" and then the following row is considered Row 1. But I've not come across the cast on = row one.

[@ejsimms]

So you’re saying that you would never count a general cast on row as row one? It confused me when one of my “how-to knit” books said any two needle cast on counts as the first row, so I didn’t understand which was the right side either. It usually doesn’t make a big difference but I tend to make a judgement call.

[@sheilaokelly6022]

Such a helpful video, thank you.

[@sheilaokelly6022]

And thank you so much for not using background music!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

You are so welcome!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

It never even occurred to me.

[@stephanieunterharnscheidt]

For an iPhone this video is great!!!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Honestly, the iPhone is my best choice LOL.

[@millieo.5325]

Great tips! Thank you...🤗🥰

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

You are so welcome!

[@josiek9358]

Great video. Thank you

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad you liked it!

[@pamelabarrett210]

Good teacher. 🐰🐣🌸

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thank you! 😃

[@Kelinda6]

Thank you 😭🥹. Every other video was sending me into a teary spiral. I finally get it 🥲

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I am so glad that my video clicked with your learning style. Now you are off to have more knitting fun!

[@gracerossi3900]

Thank you. You are the best!👍 Love your videos😊

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thank you so much!

[@maryannbeuke6835]

How do you knit with 2 strands of yarn.

[@barbaramatthews4735]

I'm a Barbara. Watch this Barbara struggle to knitt. I'm a crocheter. The chain stitch is our cast on, and one hook is easier than two needles....but I will get knitting. I must because crochet socks are just too thick even with very fine yarn. It doesn't have the stretch that knitting does. I learned to knit before, but i always forget whenever it's been a while.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I am sure you will pick it up again quickly!

[@EvieO1950]

Thanks good tips!!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elenaspinelli3921]

Barbara, I’ve “wrapped” around my needle many times and it just doesn’t work for me most of the time. I don’t know why that is, sometimes it’s too long, sometimes not long enough. So frustrating. So I use the two skein method. But I still try the wrapping part if it’s not too many stitches . Still no guarantee that it works. 🤦‍♀️ I just don’t get it.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I completely agree and understand - generally, I avoid the long tail cast on LOL.

[@marysmith9109]

Thx for being so careful to show the pointer finger using the attached yarn I've been just backbard.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Yay for fixing things!

[@sorrywrongplanet8873]

What is the purpose of this? Does it give a better finished edge?

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I really don't know why this has become the go-to cast on for so many patterns, but it does have some good elements that are useful in many situations. It is a very stable cast on that also has a good bit of stretch. Many stretchy cast ons are also very insubstantial and many stable cast ons are not very stretchy. It does have a nice finished edge, but "better" is entirely subjective. There are soooo many different cast ons and all of them have their own pros and cons.

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Thank you

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

You're welcome

[@autumnonviola]

Something I’m having trouble with is my tail yarn being at the front of the row after I’ve cast on and turned the needle to my left hand to begin knitting. I don’t know what I’m messing up!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm not certain that I understand your problem. But with long tail cast ons you will end up with both the tail and the working yarn at the same end of the needle once you have completed the cast on.

[@joanlips7589]

Ways referred to my method of casting, as knitting the cast on stitches. Make any sense ?

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Sounds like you are talking about a knitted cast on of which there are several variants. My favorite is called the cable cast on.

[@KarenShatford]

I have way too much tail left. Tried so many times! Please help!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Here is one suggestion: kzbin.infoz-x7mlcAEc4

[@wilhelmineshushe]

🤗🥰

[@rennielesmurf]

I've never liked long-tail cast on. Wrapping the yarn to measure always seems hit and miss depending how squishy the yarn is. Very squishy and I have too much tail, not squishy and I don't have enough. Long-tail never seems to match my tension either, Norwegian cast on seems to function much better. I've never managed to work out a method of doing any long tailed cast on without affecting the twist of the yarn tail. I always seem to either add twist, or more often remove twist from the tail.

[@Therese504]

I loathe this cast on. Once I learned the knitted cast on, I found that it makes all these variations on long tail cast ons obsolete

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I hear you! It isn't one of my preferred cast ons, but I thought I would make the video because it is SOOOO popular.

[@tutuleokpala9482]

❤❤❤

[@joanmachado9063]

Great video thank you

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Glad you enjoyed it