Long Tail Cast On

A firm but stretchy edge suitable for most projects.

This cast on makes a firm but stretchy edge, but its prime advantage is that it is FAST. It is also very easy to not make it too tight. However, if you do find that your first row is too rigid, cast onto a needle three sizes larger than the pattern calls for.

Pros:

Great all-purpose cast on
Easy to learn
Easy to work into
Firm, stretchy edge
Fast to make

Cons:

You need to guess how much yarn you’re going to use before making it and leave that as a tail. (Approximately four times the length of the finished edge.)
A little complicated to execute, and if you don’t do it often, you may need a reminder. (Which is why this tutorial is handy to have bookmarked.)

Note that the video has you hold your yarn tail over your thumb, the reverse of my written instructions. I have tried both ways, and see very little difference. Use the way that seems best to you. (Also see my tutorial for How to Make a Slip Knot.)

How to Do It

Basic Principle:

Using two strands of yarn held taut, you will be creating a loop in one strand which will serve as the anchor of the stitch you pull through the loop from the other strand.

Steps

Text included in the images is written out below each step to make this Low Vision Accessible. Instructions on the images are for right-handed people. Instructions in the written text is non-hand specific.

Step One

On a needle, make a slip knot that tightens when you pull on the ball end. The tail should be about four times longer than your finished edge will be.

Optional: If you like math and want to be more precise, the formula is:

[(Needle diameter in millimetres) multiplied by 3.14 (pi) multiplied by (Number of stitches to cast on)], plus 150 millimetres for the tail. Divide by 10 to get this in centimetres, and divide by 25.4 to get this in inches.

Step Two

Hold the needle in your dominant hand. Grab the tail ends of the yarn in the fourth and fifth fingers of the non-dominant hand and press them against your palm. Insert your non-dominant thumb and forefinger between the two strands of yarn, then flip your hand over so the palm is upward while widening the thumb and forefinger into a U.

The yarn should now be coming from the slip knot around the needle in your dominant hand, through the centre of the U in your non-dominant hand, with one strand of yarn each travelling around the back of your thumb and forefinger and into your palm.

Holding the ends of the yarn in your non-dominant palm keeps tension on the yarn. Throughout the cast-on process, use these to keep the yarn taut.

Step Three

Move needle tip from the wrist of the non-dominant hand toward the index finger to hook the yarn section between the thumb and your palm. Make sure to keep the yarn taut using the fingers curled around the yarn tails.

This creates a loop with the yarn over your thumb.

Step Four

Continue moving the tip of the needle toward the non-dominant ring finger without catching any yarn. Then move the needle tip back toward the thumb, this time catching the second yarn in the section between the needle and your forefinger as you do.

Graceful Slippers

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CA$9.00

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Flatter your feet with a perfect fit!

These cozy fast-finish slippers use basic stitches, short-row shaping, and a forgiving gauge for a project that will practically fly off the needles and onto your feet. A drawstring bow causes the simple shape to hug the feet, keeping them toasty while creating a very flattering fit.

Knitting flat, cast on at the cuff, shape the heel and toe with short rows, and finish with an eyelet row for weaving a ribbon through to gather the excess fabric. With two sizes to choose from, the grace in the amount of ease make these slippers a wonderful project for beginners who want to build their skills. Choose a sturdy worsted- or bulky-weight yarn and cast this quick and easy project on today!

PROJECT LEVEL: Easy

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Digital download includes:

PDF (standard) - best for printing or for sighted knitters

Refer to “Accessibility” below for more information about file types.

About Design

Construction

Slippers are cast on at the ankle, with short rows to shape the heel and toe, then finished with a row of eyelets for the laces a few rows before the bind off.

Sizes

Ladies’ Small (US shoe size 5 to 8)
Ladies’ Large (US shoe size 8.5 to 12)

Supplies & Gauge

Bulky Version

Yarn

2 balls bulky-weight yarn with 101 metres in 100 grams (or 110 yards in 3.53 ounces).

Approximate yardages: 103 (118) metres [or 112 (128) yards].

Needles

6.0 mm (US 10) straight needles
Optional for I-cord finish: two short double-pointed needles in the same size.

Notions

Yarn needle
Several scraps of yarn for markers.
4-foot (or 1.3-metre) ribbon or narrow fabric scrap finished with hem, Fray Stop, or pinking shears for ties.

Gauge

Gauge for this pattern is flexible.

14 to 16 stitches and 21 to 24 rows = 4 inches (or 10 cm) on larger needles over stockinette stitch knit flat.

Worsted Version:

Yarn

1 ball worsted-weight yarn with 198 metres in 100 grams (or 220 yards in 3.53 ounces).

Approximate yardages: 114 (131) metres [or 128 (146) yards].

Needles

5.0 mm (US 8) straight needles
Optional for I-cord finish: two short double-pointed needles in the same size.

Notions

Yarn needle
Several scraps of yarn for markers.
4-foot (or 1.3-metre) ribbon or narrow fabric scrap finished with hem, Fray Stop, or pinking shears for ties.

Gauge

Gauge for this pattern is flexible.

20 to 22 stitches and 28 to 30 rows = 4 inches (or 10 cm) on smaller needles over stockinette stitch knit flat.

About Samples

Green:

Patons North America Shetland Chunky, a plied 75% Acrylic and 25% wool bulky-weight yarn with 135 metres (148 yards) in 100 grams (3.53 ounces) that knits up to 15 stitches over 4 inches (or 10 cm) on size 6.0 mm (US 10) needles. Discontinued.

Colourway: Sage Green
Size: Ladies Large

Blue:

Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool, a plied 100% wool bulky-weight yarn with 437 metres (478 yards) in 250 grams (8.82 ounces) that knits up to 14 to 16 stitches over 4 inches (or 10 cm) on size 5.5 to 6.0 mm (US 9 to 10) needles.

Colourway: Periwinkle
Size: Ladies Large

Dark Purple:

Knit Picks Biggo, a plied 50% merino and 50% nylon bulky-weight yarn with 101 metres (110 yards) in 100 grams (3.53 ounces) that knits up to 12 to 15 stitches over 4 inches (or 10 cm) on 6.0 to 8.0 mm (US 10 to 11) needles. Discontinued.

Colourway: Duchess Heather
Size: Ladies Large

Variegated Purple:

Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tonal, a plied 50% merino and 50% Corriedale wool worsted-weight yarn with 201 metres (220 yards) in 100 grams (3.53 ounces) that knits up to 18 to 20 stitches over 4 inches (or 10 cm) on size US 6 to 9 (4.0 to 5.5 mm) needles.

Colourway: Blue Violet Tonal
Size: Ladies Large

Techniques & Resources

Skills you will need:

Knit
Purl
Make a gauge swatch in stockinette stitch

All other required stitches are explained.

Techniques used:

Knitting back and forth on straight needles
Short rows with wrap-and-turn
Eyelets (yarn overs)
Long Tail Cast On OR Knit Cast On
Basic Bind Off

Included resources:

A comprehensive list of links to online tutorials on my website for necessary skills. Tutorials are screen-reader accessible, with instructions relayed fully in text, and also include videos and downloadable photo tutorials.
Full glossary
Alteration instructions included.

Publishing Information

Release Date: 2010

Most recent revision: 2023

Publisher: My Secret Wish Publishing

Knitting pattern type: Single Design Option; Multiple Yarn Weight Options

Project type: Slippers

Page Count: 7

COPYRIGHT AND LICENSING NOTICE:

This pattern is copyright My Secret Wish by Talena. Your purchase of this pattern gives you the right to use it for personal, non-profit use only. To license the pattern to use for profit, please e-mail me for permission. You do NOT have the right to print the pattern for other people (unless they reside in your household) or to transfer the digital file to any other person. This pattern may not be sold, copied, or distributed in any way.

Update History

2019:

Created a worsted option. (Originally only bulky.)
Revised language and formatting to be clearer and easier to follow.

May 25, 2023:

Revised formatting of PDF to align with current template style. Clarified and simplified language where necessary. Reduced abbreviations to minimal amount. Converted PDF to be screen reader accessible.
Updated URLs for new store and social links.

You will get a PDF (3MB) file

Visit product page

Step Five

Keep moving the needle tip back toward your body, pulling the second yarn through the loop on your thumb toward the wrist. This will create a new loop on the working needle from the yarn over your index finger.

Step Six

Release the loop on your thumb while pulling on the needle to tighten the new stitch, and simultaneously use the same thumb to hook the yarn tail again so the yarn still goes from the needle, through the centre of the U between the thumb and forefinger, and around the back of the thumb, with the tails grasped by the curled fourth and fifth fingers.

Step Seven

Repeat from Step Three until you have the desired number of stitches. Keep a little space between the stitches as you tighten.

If you’re working through the How to Knit tutorial, return to the main index here:

How To Knit Tutorial

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About My Secret Wish Knitting

Hi! I’m Talena Winters (a.k.a. the Yarn Mermaid).

I started My Secret Wish Knitting in 2010 to empower and delight knitting heroes like you who want to elevate your knitting and make magic with yarn. When I’m not concocting new yarn potion recipes, I’m creating story magic as a fantasy and romance author and fiction editor (at talenawinters.com). I live with my family and pets in the Peace Country of northern Alberta, Canada, where sweater weather lasts at least nine months a year and my closest neighbours are bears and wood nymphs.

This website is a labour of love by a team of one (me!). If you found value here, please support the effort by purchasing a pattern. If you want more knitting magic, check out my community events and newsletter in the Knitting Circle. We’d love to have you!