- CraftKnitting
- US abbreviationCO
- UK abbreviationCO
- TypeGetting started
What is long-tail cast on?
A way to put the first row of stitches onto your needle. The long-tail cast on is neat and a bit stretchy, and it is the one most patterns expect when they just say "cast on".
In a pattern you will see it written as CO in both US and UK patterns.
How to do it, step by step
- Leave a tail about 1 in / 2.5 cm per stitch, plus a bit. Make a slip knot on the needle.
- Hold the tail over your thumb and the working yarn over your index finger, both held in your palm.
- Take the needle up through the thumb loop.
- Go over and around the yarn on your index finger.
- Bring it back down through the thumb loop, drop the loop and snug up.
The mistake to watch for
Running out of tail near the end. If it happens, start again with a longer tail rather than adding stitches another way.
If you are left-handed
Most left-handed knitters knit the usual way, since both hands work. If you prefer, you can knit mirrored: stitches move from the right needle to the left. Swap "left" and "right" in the steps.
Practise it on a free pattern
These patterns from Crochet Counter use long-tail cast on:
Related stitches
Questions
What is the most common mistake with long-tail cast on?
Running out of tail near the end. If it happens, start again with a longer tail rather than adding stitches another way.
Keep count with Crochet Counter
The app has this stitch and 31 more in its stitch dictionary, in US or UK terms, with a row counter for every project. The core app is free, has no ads and needs no account. Pro is optional.
