Rotated Long-Tail Cast-On

Why use the Rotated Long-Tail Cast-On?

The rotated long-tail cast-on is a variant of the long-tail cast-on. It adds a small amount of elasticity to the cast-on edge while maintaining the stability for which the long-tail cast-on is deservedly popular. This rotated variant is particularly suitable for less flexible fiber combinations, as well as projects where a tight cast-on could cause the fabric to pull in. The rotated long-tail cast-on is Shibui Knits’ go-to technique for casting on when holding Silk Cloud on its own.

Step 1

Measure out a tail of the necessary length* for the cast-on edge. Set up and hold as for a long-tail cast-on, with slip knot on the right hand needle. The long tail should be stretched around the thumb and the working yarn wrapped around the index finger, forming a “V” of yarn in the left hand.

Step 2

CO 1 st using the long tail cast-on method.

Step 3

Holding the first st in place with your index finger, pivot the needle clockwise around both the working yarn and the long tail.

Step 3 Cont'd

This will cause the long tail to twist around the working yarn. The sts will rotate around the needle, adding a twist to the working yarn and yarn tail.

Step 4

Re-position the thumb and index finger in the “V” configuration for the next st, maintaining the added twist in the working yarn and yarn tail.

Repeat steps 2–4 until the desired number of sts have been cast on.

* To determine the necessary length for the tail, we recommend that you cast on 10 stitches using a long-tail cast-on. Then, holding the tail as close as possible to the final stitch AND holding on to the slip knot at the beginning, remove the stitches from the needle and unravel them. The length of yarn you are holding is the length necessary to cast on 10 stitches. Divide by 10 to give you the length necessary for each stitch and use that as the basis for your calculations. The Cocoknits method using two separate balls of yarn is also effective, and removes the element of calculation.