How much Yarn do you Need for Long Tail Cast On?

 

Does your pattern or project want you to cast on multiple stitches on your knitting needles? The long tail cast on method is the best option. While you can use any cast on method for a knitting project, the long tail cast on is amazing for a great number of stitches. So, you must be wanting to get started with the pattern. You will have information on the knitting needle size, even length for circular needles, yarn and more. But, then comes the question- how much yarn do you need for a long tail cast on?

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!