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While there is no way
to know the exact amount of yarn, you cannot leave it entirely to guestimate. The
risk of running out of yarn means you would need to redo everything. You could
either waste precious yarn on casting and unraveling or be left with yarn and
have long tails to weave.
To never have you deal
with this knitting horror, in this blog post, we’ll look at the easy methods to
find out the yarn to use for a long tail cast-on.
1.
Zig-Zag Method
Most knitters love
this method to calculate the yarn to use for a long tail cast. You simply cast
on 10 stitches on the knitting needle mentioned on the pattern (it should be
one you would knit your project on) and unravel it. If you are using circular knitting needles do not cast stitches on the cord.
For this zig-zag
method- arrange your knitting needle on the craft table or floor. Place the
yarn of the 10 cast on stitches in front of the needle and try to keep the line
even. Now if you need 50 stitches lay down the yarn 4 times in a zig-zag method
in front of the needle. If the stitches are 100 then you need 10 times the
length. To make sure you have the appropriate length, use a measuring tape too.
2.
The Rule of the Thumb Method
A commonly used
method, this works smoothly for long tail cast on method. Simple set aside four
times the length of yarn as your project is wide. For example, a 10-inch scarf
set aside 40 inches of yarn to cast on. For a blanket, it is best to have four
times length plus an extra 10-12 per cent. While this might leave you with a long
tail, it will help with in later on. Make sure that you measure the length and
note it down. For the yarn, wind it back into a ball without tangles.
3.
Wrap Method
Hold your knitting needle
and wrap the yarn on the needle according to the count of cast on stitches. If
you pattern requires you to cast on 50 stitches, wrap the yarn around the
needle 50 times. Unravel it again, and you have the exact yarn you will need
for the long tail cast-on. Make sure to leave a little extra tail for weaving
in.
This method certainly
works but make sure that you have to wrap the yarn around the needle with even
tension.
4.
Two-Strands Method
When you use two
strands of yarn (same yarn cakes or skeins that are wrapped in a way you can
access both ends) or different yarn, this is the best method. There is not
calculations needed, you simply cast the stitches.
Here’s the four
methods to calculate much yarn to use for a long tail cast on. Now cast on
stitches and get started with your knitting project!