Long Tail Cast On Knitting Stitches - Studio Knit

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Absolute Beginner Knitting Series with straight knitting needle wrapped with cast-on stitches in white yarn on a green background

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.

Knitting Stitches Cast On Knitting Needle with white color yarn.

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.

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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.

Learn How to Make a SLIP KNOT in the Absolute Beginner Knitting Series by Studio Knit

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!

How to CAST ON Yarn in the Absolute Beginner Knitting Series by Studio Knit

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

Hands holding yarn in the slingshot method about to cast on stitches onto a straight knitting needle

Hands casting on white yarn onto knitting needles

A close up of a hand casting on knitting stitches onto a straight needle

Hands demonstrating casting on knitting stitches with white yarn onto a knitting needle

More Knitting Help

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Hands demonstrating how to cast on without a slip knot with white yarn and wooden bamboo knitting needles atop a purple background.

Hands purl stitch with knitting needle and white color yarn.

Ten pairs of wooden bamboo knitting needles arranged in a circular pattern atop a green background.

Knitted swatch of white yarn in stockinette stitch pattern with two wooden knitting needles.

about kristen videos shop

Kristen McDonnellAuthor • Designer • Teacher

Kristen from StudioKnit LLC produces knitting video lessons and pattern designs from her vibrant production studio on Half Moon Bay’s California coast.

Kristen McDonnell is the author of the highly acclaimed book Knit Stitch: 50 Knit + Purl Patterns featuring vintage and unique designs.