Long Tail Cast On Knitting Stitches

Learn the Long-Tail Cast On Knitting Stitches in 3 easy steps with my close-up photo and video tutorial. This is the way most beginners prefer to place yarn onto their knitting needle in preparation for knitting.

You’ll love my easy-to-follow demonstration to cast on stitches to begin knitting. We begin by tying a Slip Knot, then learn the Slingshot Method of holding your yarn, and finish by casting on your first stitches.

Yes, it takes a bit of patience to learn this knitting technique, so be gentle with yourself and have some patience. You will soon be ready to start the fun hobby of knitting.

3 Steps to Long-Tail Cast On Knitting Stitches

STEP 1: Create a Slip Knot with Yarn

Begin by learning to tie a Slip Knot, then place your needle inside that loop.

A Slip Knot allows you to easily tighten by pulling on the working yarn and loosen it by pulling up from the loop. This helps the yarn fit securely onto your knitting needle.

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STEP 2: Slingshot Method of Holding Yarn and Knitting Needle

• Holding your knitting needle in your right hand.
• Take your left hand and the yarn on the right side hold it between your two fingers.
• Then take your other two fingers and hold the other yarn tail down next to your palm.
• Scoop your thumb underneath that yarn and hold it upward.
• And lastly, with your right hand, take your index finger and just hold it onto the stitch and that is going to help keep it in place while we’re casting on.

Once you have your yarn in your hands in this configuration, you are ready to continue on. Again, my complete video tutorial below is really helpful, if these instructions are making your head spin, haha!

Finding the Slingshot hold too tricky? Try the easier Thumb Method for your Long-Tail Cast On.

STEP 3: Cast On Your First Knitting Stitch

• Bring your knitting needle to the outside of the left side
• Pick up that yarn
• Goes right through
• Then travels over to the right side to the outside of the right yarn
• Picks up the yarn underneath
• That bit of yarn goes through your thumb loop
• With your left hand, let all of that go
• Lightly cinch up your two strands of yarn