Draft
Austrian Long Tail Cast On
A long tail variation with a different twist in the base.
7 min video
The Austrian long tail cast on is a variation of the long tail. The hands do nearly the same thing, but you pick up the outside strand on your forefinger instead of the centre one, and you release both fingers together.
Each stitch ends up twisted on the needle, and the twist makes a small braid along the bottom edge. The edge lies flatter than a regular long tail, so the first row does not curl, and it does not change the look of the fabric much.
It is a little less elastic than the regular long tail but still stretchy enough for most projects, and you can use it anywhere you would use the long tail. Like the long tail, it makes a row of knit stitches, so purl the first row if you are working stockinette.
1 Set up like a long tail
Measure your tail and make your slip knot as you would for the regular long tail cast on. Put the twist on the needle, then get into the slingshot position: tail over your thumb, working yarn over your forefinger.
2 Go up through the thumb loop
Come in on the outside of the thumb as normal and bring the needle up through the middle of the loop on your thumb.
3 Grab the outside finger strand
Here is the change. Instead of the center strand, swing the needle around to the outside of your index finger and pick up the outside strand. Make sure you go underneath the yarn and come up through the loop on the finger.
4 Bring it back through the thumb loop
Bring that strand back through the loop on your thumb, the same way you came in. Make sure you are coming through the middle of the thumb loop.
5 Release both fingers and tighten
Let go with both the thumb and the finger at once, then tighten the stitch down. If you only release one, it is very hard to tighten. Snug up against the stitch beside it, but not too tight. The yarn should still move easily along the needle.
6 Then keep going
Outside of the thumb, up through the loop, outside of the finger, back through the thumb, release both and tighten. Each stitch sits twisted on the needle, so for stockinette you purl the first row. The edge lies flatter than a regular long tail and is still stretchy enough for most projects.