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kekokat
Seriously Hooked
USA
845 Posts |
 Posted - 05/20/2005 : 07:53:24 AM
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Anyone who uses the long-tail cast-on knows the irritation of running out of tail before getting all the stitches cast-on, or having an excessively long tail when casting on a few stitches. Well, here's an "Aha!" (or maybe "Duh!") solution someone recently shared with me. Works like a charm.
When starting the cast-on, take the outside end and the inside end of a ball (or the end of another ball of yarn if you have several), hold the ends together and make a slip knot and slip it over your needle. Looks familiar, eh? Proceed with your long-tail cast-on in the ususal manner. When you've cast-on the appropriate number of stitches, cut one of the strands, leaving a reasonable length tail, and proceed. How cool is that?
Julie in Ohio |
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RobA
Permanent Resident
2373 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 08:06:08 AM
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Julie,
This is one of my favorite tricks/techniques. I eaither use both ends of a ball or two balls of yarn. This is especially great when you are casting on for a large piece or a sweater in the round! All those cast-ons needed, and no fear of running out.
Rob http://roberta.typepad.com/robknits/ |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 08:13:35 AM
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What a good tip.  Thanks!
GFTC of NYC |
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DeAnn
Seriously Hooked
USA
831 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 08:21:02 AM
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This is a great tip! I'm going to use it from now on. Thanks.
DeAnn
http://womanofmanyfaces.typepad.com/
When the chips are down.....
The Buffalo is empty. |
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azknitter
Honorary Angel
5539 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 08:58:24 AM
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I had read about that...but forget to try it...old habits die hard..
Thanks for reminding me!
Trish |
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Knitrageous
Permanent Resident
USA
1445 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 09:01:43 AM
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Wow...thanks for the tip! Sure will save some time (and yarn) when I re-cast those 100 stitches for the fifth time!
~~~~Jamye |
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 09:30:46 AM
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Good idea. I have used the long-tail cast-on for one garment (not yet finished) in my entire life. I don't understand why it's the standard when there are so many other cast-ons that so much easier.
A good friend: You knit faster than most women shop. |
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argus
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
595 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 09:33:52 AM
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I've found another way of doing it in one of the books (forgot which one). Say you need to cast on 50 st. Measure 50 inches and start your cast on. To be on a safe side, measure 55 inches.
Worked for me!
Argus
Carpe diem.
My blog http://kloobok.blogspot.com/ |
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gibsongirl
Seriously Hooked
965 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 10:31:05 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by argus
I've found another way of doing it in one of the books (forgot which one). Say you need to cast on 50 st. Measure 50 inches and start your cast on. To be on a safe side, measure 55 inches.
Argus, does that still work if you're knitting on large-diameter needles? I don't know of many objects besides afghans, perhaps, that I would knit at such a large gauge (where each stitch would be more than an inch's worth of yarn), but it's a possible exception to the rule of measuring out an inch or so per stitch.
-gibsongirl |
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ladyamythyst69
Gabber Extraordinaire
372 Posts |
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paper tiger
Chatty Knitter
282 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 11:14:46 AM
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| I've also heard the "rule of three" -- start six inches plus 3xcast on width from the end. (So if I'm casting on 20 inches, I'll start 66 inches from the end.) |
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wyovol
Warming Up
53 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 11:36:11 AM
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I almost always use the long-tail cast-on these days. I only learned how to do it in January but it seems to go much faster.
In order to measure the right amount of yarn I wrap my yarn around the needle however many stitches I need to cast on. I usually throw in a few extra wraps just to make sure. I've found that this gives me the right length of tail -- not too long and not too short. Since I'm wrapping around the needle I will be knitting with I don't have to worry about whether I plan to use a large or small one. |
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SerMom
Permanent Resident
Canada
6412 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 1:36:01 PM
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I've been using the 2 ends trick for a while now. It's so nice not to have to worry about the length of the tail!
Barbara
Remember, we're self-selecting!
My photos:
My blog:
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edelsma
Permanent Resident
Canada
1182 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 2:09:50 PM
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Another great tip!
Margaret in Waterloo, Ontario
~~~
When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.... Confucius~~~
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/edelsma/my_photos |
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HoJo
Permanent Resident
USA
1474 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 7:39:16 PM
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This is a good one, I stopped doing the long tail cast on because of the measuring issues (1" per stitch does not always work), but 2 ends always will!
Thanks
HoJo
"Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, only backwards and in high heels." Faith Whittesley
My blog: www.fullthreadahead.com/blog |
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watusiebabe
Chatty Knitter
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2005 : 12:35:25 PM
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I'll be the first to admit that I'm a bit dense,I do better when I see things done rather than read about it...That said,would someone please explain exactly what happens when you use this method. I can't seem to picture it in my mind.
Buckets of thanks
watusiebabe |
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stargazer
New Pal
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2005 : 1:32:01 PM
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| me, too -- I'm having trouble visualizing the technique. |
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elizh
Permanent Resident
USA
1248 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2005 : 2:24:17 PM
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This technique enables the knitter to cast on using the "long tail cast-on" method and end up with the desired amount of yarn in the tail. This cast on method requires two strands of yarn used in tandem.
The classic method requires the knitter to estimate how much yarn one of the strands will require for the given number of cast-on stitches, and then make a slip knot somewhere down the length of yarn for the first cast-on stitch. The free end and the yarn coming from the ball of yarn are then used in tandem for the cast-on. The trouble occurs when the knitter runs out of yarn on the free end before the cast on is complete. The only alternative then is to begin all over again, reserving a longer length for the free end. Or the knitter may find they have overestimated and they end up with a wasted length of leftover yarn on the free end when the cast on is complete. It's often suggested to leave a sufficient length of a free end tail to use for sewing up the seam, if you'll have one.
The method described here suggests using 2 separate strands...perhaps the ends from 2 balls, or the ends from the inside and the outside of the ball. As a result, you will not run out of yarn on one of your cast-on strands. When you have completed your cast on, you simply break the yarn off on one strand, and begin knitting with the other.
Hope this helps. If you haven't used a cast on that requires tandem strands, you probably won't appreciate the wisdom of this technique. |
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gr8tful
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2005 : 2:37:29 PM
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I still can't see it. I must be really dumb. Are you using double strands?
Patti from the Prairie |
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RobA
Permanent Resident
2373 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2005 : 3:24:09 PM
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Patti, do you know the long-tail cast on? Bring your knitting over to the computer, and set up the yarn and needles for a long-tail cast on. Usually, we measure out a long bit of yarn, and put a slip knot on the needle, and use the vee made by the long tail AND the yarn going to the ball to do our cast on. Right?
Now, instead of pulling out a long tail and tying a slip knot, take two balls of yarn. Pull a bit of yarn from each ball and tie them together. Now place your needle between the two strands, with the knot resting on the back of the needle. Voila -- you are in position to do a long-tail cast on, but you are pulling yarn from two balls to do it.
Hope this helps. I had to sit down with it and look at it to figure it out myself.
Rob http://roberta.typepad.com/robknits/ |
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gr8tful
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2005 : 3:44:58 PM
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Yes! Thank you! I can see it now. I will try it the next time I cast on.
Patti from the Prairie |
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