It is a bit of a mouthful, but the long tail tubular cast onis a really excellent cast on method that creates a lovely, stretchy edge that is reminiscent of machine-knit garments. The cast on is a bit quirky and convoluted, and makes a lot more sense in the doing than in the reading.
Set-Up: Create a slip knot on your needle and hold the needle in your right hand and yarn in your left hand as you would if beginning a long tail cast on.
Note: this slip knot counts as 1 knit stitch.
Step 1 / CO for Purl:
Move the needle from back to front around the yarn on your index finger of your left hand. The yarn is now wrapped over the needle.
Move the needle from front to back around the yarn on your thumb of your left hand. Bring the needle back under the yarn on your index finger.
This will flip the yarn on your index finger around, and place the yarn on your thumb on the needle – 1 purl stitch cast on.
Step 2 / CO for Knit:
Move the needle from front to back around the yarn on the thumb of your left hand. This yarn is now wrapped over the needle.
Move the needle from back to front around the yarn on your index finger of your left hand. Bring the needle back under the yarn on your thumb. This will flip the yarn on your thumb around, and place the yarn on your index finger of your left hand on the needle – 1 knit stitch cast on.
Repeat Steps 1–2 until the desired number of stitches has been cast on.
And that’s it! It is pretty easy to actually do in practice, but it does require practice. Once you get the hang of it, though, it is a wonderful skill to have in your repertoire!
