Draft
Long Tail Cast Ons
The long tail family: one motion, many variations, each with a different edge.
The long tail cast on is the everyday one, and every method here is the same slingshot motion with one thing changed. Twist the thumb strand and you get the German twisted, sturdier and longer lasting. Twist it differently and you get the Austrian or the Estonian, with a rounder, stretchier edge for lace. Work it in reverse for a purl-side edge, work it with two strands from two ends so the tail never runs out, or work it in two colours so the edge starts the colourwork.
Learn the plain long tail first. Once the motion is in your hands, each variation is a small change you can pick up in a few minutes, and the family covers most of what a cast on ever has to do.
The methods, side by side
| Method | What it gives you | Good for | Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Tail Cast On | The everyday cast on. One motion with two strands, firm with a little stretch. | almost everything, stockinette, ribbing | 8 min |
| Long Tail Thumb Cast On | The long tail cast on worked with the thumb only, for hands that prefer it. | 4 min | |
| Infinite Long Tail Cast On | A long tail cast on that never runs out of tail, worked from two ends of the yarn. | large stitch counts | 3 min |
| German Twisted Cast On | A long tail cast on with an extra twist for a sturdier, longer lasting edge. | sock cuffs, hat brims | 5 min |
| Austrian Long Tail Cast On | A long tail variation with a different twist in the base. | 7 min | |
| Estonian Cast On | A long tail cast on from Estonia with a rounded, stretchy edge. | lace, stretchy edges | 5 min |
| Reverse Long Tail Cast On | The long tail cast on worked in reverse, for a purl-side edge. | 7 min | |
| Two Color Long Tail Cast On | A long tail cast on with two colours, so the edge starts the colourwork. | colorwork | 6 min |
