Comments on: My First Online Video: The Long-Tail Cast-On

By: david_demchuk

david_demchuk — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:56:06 +0000

I’m so glad you found the video useful! I keep saying I’ll make another one, but I’m a lazy sod, so it’s been slow off the mark. It will happen! Stay tuned

By: Noelle

Noelle — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:47:32 +0000

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I am once more attempting to learn to knit. I’ve loked at several you tube videos to no avail.. finally a simple easy to see video… I’l probably be emailing with questions….Keep up the good work-

By: elliemook

elliemook — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:52:17 +0000

Thanks so much for this. Been struggling to cast on some mega fluffy kid mohair yarn using the method I was taught as a kid. Never used this method before but it worked like a dream and your video was so easy to follow x

By: bob in ohio

bob in ohio — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:40:37 +0000

hi, I read in a book that if you simply loop the required number of stitches around your needle, then add a tail you will have pulled off enough for your long tail cast on. I use this and it works great.
And thanks for the video, I found it most helpful.Now just do a video of men knitting in public to help me over my fear of knitting at work!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 03:50:55 +0000

I know it’s really late to be posting this comment, but I have a couple of tips for the long tail cast on as well. It’s the way that I was taught, and the only way I ever cast on. A good rule of thumb is to allow 1 inch for every stitch that you’re going to cast on, plus a little extra for tension variations. As well, if you want the “nice” finished edge on the outside of your project, you usually have to knit (or purl, or whatever would fit best with the pattern) one row before starting the actual pattern.
Great blog! I just discovered it and am reading it start to finish!

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:43:30 +0000

Thanks so much for the very clear instructions. Much appreciated!

By: david_demchuk

david_demchuk — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:43:14 +0000

Oh, all these lovely compliments Nichole, the formula is generally [3x (desired length of cast-on edge)] + 6 inches = long tail…but the success rate varies wildly depending on individual knitters’ tension, the thickness of the yarn and the size of the needles. I’ve had better luck hoping and praying, but your mileage may vary.

By: Nichole R.

Nichole R. — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 16:02:02 +0000

The video was excellent! I’ve never tried to do the long tailed cast on, even though I’ve been knitting for two years. Although, I do a weird long-tail cast on version of the cable cast on for knitting in the round (fetching) otherwise it comes out backwards. I think it has something to do with the left-handedness. Oh, and a question- it there and kind of formula for guesstimating how long your tail should be for a certain number of stitches, or do you just hope and pray you’ve pulled enough?