Draft
Reverse Long Tail Cast On
The long tail cast on worked in reverse, for a purl-side edge.
7 min video
The reverse long tail cast on, which some people call the purl long tail cast on, is the regular long tail cast on done the opposite way round. Everything you can use the long tail cast on for, you can use this one for as well.
It gives a nice finished edge along the bottom that is fairly elastic and stretches nicely. The edge curls less along the front of the piece.
Like all long tail cast ons it makes a row of stitches as you go. Here that row is purls, so when you turn to knit you are on the right side and can start knitting straight away. Measure the tail the same way, and start with a twist on the needle rather than a slip knot.
1 Measure your tail
Wrap the yarn around the needle about five times. That length is roughly five stitches, about an inch a stitch. Measure it out for the number of stitches you need, then add a little extra for a tail to work with.
2 Set up the slingshot
Make a loop and put your thumb and forefinger into it, then spread them apart. Hold the other ends of the yarn in your palm with the bottom three fingers.
3 Twist the bridge onto the needle
No slip knot. It leaves a little bump. Instead, press the needle down on the bridge of yarn between your two fingers and twirl it around the needle to make a twist. That is your first stitch.
4 Pick up the outside strand on your forefinger
A normal long tail stitch starts at the thumb. This one starts at the forefinger. Come around the outside and pick up the outside strand on your index finger.
5 Pick up the inside strand on your thumb
Come over the middle strands, then go through the loop on your thumb and pick up the inside strand.
6 Back through the forefinger loop
Bring that strand back through the middle of the loop on your index finger, then let the loop off your finger.
7 Then keep going
Tighten the stitch down. Stop as soon as you feel a little pressure. It should be secure but still move easily along the needle. Then repeat: outside strand, over the middle, through the thumb, back through the forefinger. It becomes one fluid motion.