Long-Tail Cast-On and Your First Knitted Swatch

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Measuring the tailIn the long-tail method the stitches are formed by the free end (the tail) and the ball yarn working together, so the tail must be long enough from the start. For worsted yarn allow about 2.5 cm per stitch plus 15 cm extra. We will cast on 24 stitches, so measure about 75 cm from the yarn end and pinch that point.
2. 2First stitch (slip knot)At the marked point, cross the yarn over itself to make a loop and pull the ball-side yarn through the loop as a new loop. Slip this loop onto the needle and pull both ends gently until it is snug but still slides easily. This slip knot counts as your first stitch (1 st).
3. 3Hand positionHold the needle in your right hand with the tail towards you and the ball yarn away from you. Put your left thumb and index finger between the two strands and spread them: the tail goes over your thumb, the ball yarn over your index finger, and both strands are held in your palm by your other fingers. Your hand should look like a slingshot.
4. 4The cast-on movementTake the needle tip up under the front strand of the thumb loop. Then go over the strand on your index finger, catch it, and bring it back down through the thumb loop. Drop the loop off your thumb and pull the tail gently to settle the new stitch on the needle; stitches should slide, neither tight nor loose. Repeat until you have 24 stitches (24 sts).
5. 5Swatch: garter stitchMove the needle with the stitches to your left hand. Insert the empty needle into the first stitch from front to back, wrap the ball yarn around it from back to front, pull the yarn through the stitch to the front and drop the old stitch off the left needle; that is one knit stitch. Knit every stitch to the end of the row, then swap needles and start the next row. Knit every row for 40 rows, counting at the end of each row (24 sts).
6. 6Basic bind-offOn row 41, knit 2 stitches. With the left needle tip, lift the first stitch on the right needle over the second and off the needle (1 st remains on the right needle). Knit 1 more stitch and lift over again; continue to the end of the row. When one stitch is left, cut the yarn leaving 15 cm and pull the end through that stitch to secure.
7. 7Measuring gaugeLay the swatch flat without stretching it. Place a ruler horizontally a little inside the edge and count the stitches in 10 cm; you should find about 18. In garter stitch each horizontal ridge equals 2 rows: count the ridges in 10 cm vertically and multiply by 2; you should get about 36 rows. More stitches means you knit tightly, fewer means loosely; later you will change needle size to match a pattern's gauge.
8. 8FinishingThread the cast-on and bind-off tails onto the yarn needle. Weave each one 4-5 cm through the stitches along the edge, then turn back 1-2 cm so it cannot work loose. Trim close to the fabric. Keep your swatch: pin on a note with the needle size and your gauge and it becomes a handy reference for future projects.