The Prolonged Tail Stable On is no doubt one of many hottest and versatile cast-on methods in knitting. It’s straightforward to review, quick to do, and produces a ravishing, barely stretchy cast-on edge.
On this text, we’re going to cowl each factor you should know regarding the Prolonged Tail Stable On methodology, from provides and preparation to step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting. Protect learning to review further and watch the video!
The Prolonged Tail Stable-On Methodology
The Prolonged Tail Stable On is one essentially the most well-liked knitting strong ons. In actuality, it’s considered one of many first cast-on methods I tried after transferring on from the knitted cast-on I found as a brand-new beginner.
And even now, it’s nonetheless my go-to cast-on for a lot of knitting duties, significantly for patterns that don’t specify any particular cast-on. I adore it because of it’s quick, easy to work, and creates a neat, barely stretchy edge.
What is the Prolonged Tail methodology?
The Prolonged Tail Stable On is a two-strand cast-on. Which suggests it’s labored on one needle with two strands of yarn: the working yarn (aka the strand of yarn coming from the yarn ball) and the tail end of the yarn.
Structurally, it’s an similar to a backward loop strong on, plus a row of knitting. Nonetheless the Prolonged Tail Stable On is way less complicated to work, and fewer liable to stretch out as you knit into it.
What are some nice advantages of the Prolonged Tail Stable On?
Knitters love the Prolonged Tail cast-on on account of its versatility, ease, and polished look.
- Neat and tidy: The Prolonged Tail cast-on creates a straightforward edge that’s very comparable in look to the standard bind-off edge. If you would like your cast-on to match your bind-off, the Prolonged Tail cast-on is an environment friendly various.
- Easy and quick: The Prolonged Tail cast-on is especially good to utilize when casting on plenty of stitches, as a result of it’s quite a bit prior to totally different methods, identical to the cable cast-on.
- Good and Elastic: The Prolonged Tail creates a fairly stretchy edge. It’s the closest issue to an all-purpose cast-on, and works for all types of duties.
Two Strategies to Prolonged Tail Stable On
Sooner than we get started, I should level out that there are two strategies to put your fingers/yarn when making the Prolonged Tail Stable On. Must you see one different knitter reveal the Prolonged Tail in a barely utterly totally different method, due to this.
- Slingshot Methodology: On this system, you’ll place the yarn spherical your thumb and first finger in a method that resembles the type of a slingshot.
- Thumb Methodology: The Thumb methodology creates the exact same cast-on edge – it’s merely one different methodology of holding your fingers.
I need to utilize the slingshot methodology, which I’ll reveal on this tutorial. I uncover it to be less complicated and prior to the thumb methodology, significantly whenever you’ve practiced it a few events.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Proper right here’s the correct strategy to work the Prolonged Tail Stable On, step-by-step.
Provides
You may want a few elementary provides for this cast-on.
Yarn: Select that that’s relevant to your mission. Or, for those who occur to’re merely working in the direction of, choose a straightforward, light-colored, worsted-weight wool.
Knitting needles: I prefer to advocate picket or bamboo needles for novices since they’re a lot much less slippery than metal needles. You need to make the most of straight needles or spherical needles for the prolonged tail cast-on. Must you’re using spherical needles, keep one end in your correct hand, and let the other drop.
Knitting Phrases to Know
And, listed under are some phrases and definitions you’ll should know for this tutorial.
Working yarn: That’s the strand of yarn that comes from the ball of yarn. It is usually generally known as the ball yarn.
Yarn tail: That’s the “prolonged tail” that gives this cast-on its title. It’s the strand of yarn that’s not related to the ball.
Estimating the Measurement of the “Tail”
Alright, let’s begin.
To start out out the Prolonged Tail Stable On, you’ll should measure out a measurement of yarn to utilize for the “prolonged tail .” And at this degree, you might be questioning, “How prolonged of a tail do I want to go away for my strong on?”
That’s a terrific question – because of there’s nothing worse than attending to the tip of a protracted strong on and discovering you’ve run out of tail!
Listed below are two strategies to estimate how prolonged of a yarn tail you need.
- The quickest technique to estimate the scale of the tail is to measure out 3.5 events the scale of the final word strong on edge. So, in case your mission edge will measure 8 inches, it’s best to measure out 28 inches of yarn for the tail.
- One different technique to estimate the scale of the tail is to wrap the yarn spherical your needle as many events as there are stitches inside the strong on. So, in case your pattern requires 20 cast-on stitches, wrap the yarn throughout the needle 20 events. Mark that measurement of yarn, add 6 inches for weaving in later, and use it to your prolonged tail.
Making a Slip Knot
After you’ve measured out the yarn tail, tie a slip knot. Place the slip knot on the needle so that the yarn tail strand is closest to you, and the working yarn strand is furthest from you.
Then, select up the knitting needle and keep it in your correct hand. Place your correct index finger on excessive of the slip knot to hold it in place.
Observe: Some knitters start their long-tail cast-on with out a slip knot. In its place of a knot, they start with a straightforward twist of yarn.
Holding the Yarn
Now it’s time to pick out up every strands of yarn in your left hand.
Grasp every strands of yarn with the ultimate three fingers of your left hand. Then, insert your thumb and index finger between the two strands of yarn. Open your fingers to create an “L” type, and unfold the two strands of yarn apart.
Then, tilt your hand once more barely. This may create two loops of yarn, one spherical your thumb, and one different spherical your index finger. The loops will look identical to a “slingshot” type.
Let’s study in: At this degree, your left palm should be going by up barely. You’ll have one loop on the thumb, with an outer and inside strand. You’ll have one different loop on the index finger, with an inside and outer strand. And, it’s best to nonetheless be holding the two strands of yarn with the other fingers on the left hand.
Making the First Sew
Now it’s time to make the first cast-on sew.
- There are 4 steps to make each sew. The actions would possibly sound subtle at first, nonetheless go slowly, and likewise you’ll select it up rapidly enough.
- Keep the needle in your correct hand, securing the slip knot alongside along with your correct index finger. Swing the needle down and in course of you. Then, swing the tip of the needle up by the use of the center of the thumb loop, catching the outer strand on the thumb loop.
- Now, swing the needle to the appropriate, over and down by the use of the center of the index finger loop, catching the within strand on the index finger.
Then, pivot the needle in course of you. Switch the needle over the inside stand on the thumb, and down by the use of the center of the thumb loop. - Lastly, launch the loop out of your thumb. Use your thumb to tug on the tail yarn to cosy up the loop on the hook. Then, return your fingers to the start “slingshot” place.
You’ve merely achieved one cast-on sew. When you check out your needle, it’s best to see two loops: the slip knot (which counts as a sew) and the model new cast-on sew.
Now, you’re capable of make the next cast-on sew. Repeat these steps to strong on the entire stitches you wish to your pattern.
Starting your First Row of Knitting
Now that your cast-on is full, flip your work over so that the needle elements to the appropriate. Keep the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand, and the empty needle in your correct hand. Now, you’re capable of knit!
Prolonged Tail Stable-On Recommendations
Listed below are some concepts and strategies to keep in mind as your observe.
- When counting your stitches, don’t forget that the slip knot loop counts as a sew.
- Steer clear of over-tightening your stitches. You want them to be free enough to glide over the needles.
- Must you uncover that your cast-on edge is just too tight, try casting on spherical two needles held collectively, or a needle that is one or two sizes greater than the dimensions generally known as for in your pattern.
- Try and protect a superb spacing between each sew inside the strong on. Cosy up the stitches subsequent to at least one one other sooner than pulling on the yarn tail to tighten them.
- Take into consideration starting the pattern on the first wrong-side (WS) row. Must you keep in mind from earlier, we talked about that the prolonged tail cast-on creates the first row of knit stitches as you are employed. Due to this everytime you flip your work, you’ll see small purl bumps on the other facet of your strong on. Must you then start your pattern on the right-side (RS) row, you’ll see these small purl bumps on the doorway of your work. This will more and more or couldn’t trouble you – so it’s ultimately your identify. Nonetheless, you might ponder starting your pattern on the first WS row, so that you simply don’t see them.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Run into trouble? This cast-on methodology can take a bit little bit of observe to get used to. Please protect going even when your first makes an try aren’t good. Once you assemble up the muscle memory and this technique “clicks” for you, it’ll be your go-to cast-on.
Listed below are some repeatedly requested questions regarding the prolonged tail cast-on.
Help! The yarn tail appears to be desire it’s becoming untwisted as I strong on.
Positive, this might happen. When doing a protracted tail cast-on, the plies of the yarn tail strand can seem like they’re untwisting. What you’ll be able to do to restore that’s drop the two strands typically, and permit them to re-twist. Then you can select the strands once more up, make the “slingshot” type as soon as extra, and protect going alongside along with your cast-on.
What should I do if my prolonged tail cast-on is just too fast?
Sadly, for those who occur to expire of yarn in your prolonged tail, you’ll have to pull out your stitches and restart your strong on. Use considered one of many two methods on this text for estimating the scale of your yarn tail, and take a look at as soon as extra.
And keep in mind, it’s always larger to overestimate and have too prolonged of a yarn tail – because of you can always trim it on the end!
If the pattern requires a singular cast-on, can I substitute the Prolonged Tail cast-on in its place?
Positive, you can substitute the Prolonged Tail Stable On in a number of cases – as long as it’s successfully suited to your mission.
Don’t forget that the long-tail methodology is nice for edges that needs to be barely stretchy. So in case your edge should be truly stretchy, you might want to aim the German Twisted Stable On (aka Outdated Norwegian Stable On) or Jeny’s Stretchy Stable On.
Instructions
- Setup. To make the Prolonged Tail Stable On, measure out a protracted measurement of yarn. Pull out a measurement of yarn that’s 3 to 4 events as long as the width of your mission. Then, tie a slip knot. Place the slip knot on the needle with the yarn tail closest to you, and the working yarn furthest from you.
- Holding the Yarn. Grasp every strands of yarn with the ultimate three fingers of your left hand. Insert your thumb and index finger between the two strands of yarn, and unfold them apart.
- Create the “slingshot” type. Tilt your hand once more barely to create the “slingshot” type. Your left palm could be going by up barely, with a loop of yarn spherical your left thumb and a loop of yarn spherical your left index finger.
- Start the first sew. Swing the needle down and in course of you. Swing the tip of the needle beneath and up by the use of the center of the thumb loop, catching the floor strand on the thumb.
- Swing the needle over and down by the use of the center of the index finger loop, catching the inside strand.
- Now, pivot the needle in the direction of you over the inside stand on the thumb, and down by the use of the center of the thumb loop.
- Then, launch the loop out of your thumb. Gently tug on the yarn tail to cosy up the loop on the hook.
- Repeat these steps to strong on further stitches.
Notes
Take care to not strong on too tightly. Must you uncover that your cast-on edge is just too tight, try casting on over two needles held collectively, or one needle that’s one or two sizes greater than the dimensions generally known as for inside the pattern.
Additional Knitting Tutorials
Listed below are some further beginner knitting tutorials that you might be be desirous about.
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