About the German Long-tail Cast-on

  • Photos and an instructional video are coming soon.
  • The German long-tail cast-on (hereafter referred to as German CO) is a variation of the long-tail cast-on that is somewhat stretchier than the standard long-tail cast-on. This extra stretch makes it a good choice for cuff-down socks or any project that requires a stretchy edge.
  • The directions for the German CO are very similar to the standard long-tail CO, but there's an extra twist of the thumb that gives the CO it's extra stretch.

Directions

  1. Step 1: Pull a tail off the skien of yarn long enough to create the number of stitches you need to cast on. See how to calculate how long of a tail you need.
  2. Step 2: Tie a slip knot in the yarn and place it on the knitting needle.
  3. Step 3: Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand and hold both strands of yarn in your left hand.
  4. Step 4: Seperate the strands of yarn by draping one strand over your thumb and one strand over your index finger and spread your thumb and index finger apart from each other. (See why direction the tail of the yarn faces when casting-on matters)
  5. Step 5: Take the needle and go under both thumb strands.
  6. Step 6: Wrap the needle around and down between the two thumb strands. You can, instead, crook your thumb to twist the thumb strands upside down and push the needle up between the thumb strands.
  7. Step 7: Wrap index finger yarn clockwise around needle and pull through thumb strands.
  8. Step 8: Drop thumb strands and pull snug to needle. Leave a space between stitches about the width of the needle. This allows for extra stretch.
  9. Repeat steps 5-8 until you have cast the required number of stitches.