How to cast on purl stitches with the longtail cast-on. A step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures and a video.
Have you ever looked very closely at your longtail cast-on? It’s a great technique. But if you look very closely, then you might notice that it creates a row of knit stitches in the same breath. The problem: When you turn the needles around to knit your first row, these will appear like purl stitches. So, when you simply knit across, you will be creating a garter stitch edge.
This can be nice because it prevents curling in stockinette stitch (a bit at least) but it doesn’t look as neat and seamless. And when it comes to ribbings, it is suddenly not as perfect anymore. So in this tutorial, I am going to show you how to do the longtail cast-on purlwise to fix these problems.
When you alternate this new technique with the standard way, you get the basis for the perfect ribbings.
Tip: Looking for more variations of the long tail cast on? Try the 2-needle cast on for an even stretchier edge. Or the German twisted purl cast on for another in-pattern option!
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Instructions: How to do the long tail purl cast-on
You start the longtail purl cast-on in the exact same position as the standard version with the working yarn connected to the ball on your left and a sizeable tail on the right. I am casting on around two needles for a stretchier edge.
Tools
- [Any type of needle. I am using the Prym bamboo needles]
Instructions
- Start with a simple slip knot.
- Bring your fingers into the "slingshot" position.
- Insert the needle into the loop around your index finger from above and behind.
- Insert the needle into the loop around your thumb coming in from below.
- Grab the yarn and pull it through the loop around your index finger.
- Remove your index finger from the loop and tighten it up by spreading your thumb and index finger.
- Pull the needle towards you to create another "slingshot" and repeat steps 2-6 until you cast-on the desired number of stitches
Notes
Beginners will often struggle with the yarn requirements and run out of yarn before they cast on all stitches. Here's a tutorial that shows you how to calculate or estimate how much yarn you need for a longtail cast-on.
Also know, the kind of cast-on stitch your pattern requires also depends on if you are knitting flat or in the round. Remember, when you are knitting flat, you are turning the project around. So, for a knit stitch in the first row, you will need to cast on a purl stitch and vice versa. For knitting in the round, this distinction is not required.
Further tips & tricks for the longtail purl cast-on
Also, here’s one more important thing to consider: If you are knitting stockinette stitch, by that logic, you would have to actually cast on purlwise to get an edge that reflects the pattern. In reality, you can also use the standard long-tail cast-on and start with a purl row. This would mean you start on the wrong side (a fact you will be able to ignore after that initial row) like this:
- CO: Cast on all stitches knitwise
- Row 1: purl across
- Row 2: knit across
- repeat rows 1+2 until you’ve reached the desired length.
This obviously doesn’t really work for knitting in the round. Here you really need to cast on purlwise if you need purl stitches – at least if you want an in-pattern edge. If you need an edge that is less stretchy, you might want to check out the cable cast-on purlwise as an alternative.
And then, of course, you can use the longtail purl cast-on for an in-pattern edge for ribbings. In these cases, you have to follow the repeat of the stitch pattern with your cast-on stitches. Here’s how I do it for a 2×2 ribbing.
- CO: Start with a slip knot, then cast one stitch using the normal longtail cast-on, then 2 longtail purl cast-on stitches, followed by 2 normal longtail cast-on stitches, followed by 2 purlwise, followed by 2 normal, etc….ending with 2 purlwise
- Row 1: *k2, p2*
- Row 2: continue the 2×2 rib stitches from here as normal.
There are many other ways to create an in-pattern edge for ribbings, but this a somewhat easy version that isn’t too complicated and still looks relatively neat.
Anyway, That’s how to cast on purlwise. Leave a comment in case you have any questions.
Thank you so much for this! I have always wondered how to do a purl cast on and had begun to wonder if such a thing even existed! Thank you for your usual super clear, thorough instructions! (All my books – except for Principles of Knitting – have now arrived, so I’m going to have a great Christmas reading up on everything you’ve suggested. Hope you have a good Christmastime, and keep well.) All good wishes.
have a wonderful festive season Margaret!
Thank you for doing both the video and pictorial demonstrations!
Thank you, Norman!
Norman,
You have created a site with text, picture and video instructions that is clear, concise and a joy to use. Your site provides free instruction on many different stitches, explains when they are used and why, and offers alternatives when appropriate. As an almost beginner, I tried following instructions on other sites and instructions included with my project pattern but didn’t find what I needed until a came here. Way to go! You are obviously very talented not only at knitting but at communication.
Thank you so much for sharing your talents!
Karen