Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In this knitting tutorial, I show you how to do the alternating long tail cast on, and I compare the result with the standard (knitwise) long tail cast on.

This 'alternating' way of casting on combines the knitwise and purlwise versions of the long tail cast on method, and is perfectly suited to use with knit & purl patterns such as ribbing.
It basically allows you to blend the starting edge into your knitting, which gives a much neater and more cohesive look. It's also reversible.

I hope you enjoy this video :)

Standard (knit) & purl long tail cast on tutorials:
youtube.com/watch?v=ZjmNuqqfFx0
youtube.com/watch?v=BcJ63kp7w44

You may also find this video useful, as it suggests one or two slight alternatives to this method:
youtube.com/watch?v=G2SCtSDDSzs

00:00 Explanation
03:36 Demonstration

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