The long tail cast on method using a length of yarn double over and held in the left hand. The needle held in the right hand is then used to pick up stitches from the two strands in the left hand. This method makes for a neat, stretchy cast-on edge which works well for blankets and ribbed edges.
Begin with a length of yarn that will be approximately four times the length of your cast on edge. Fold your yarn in half and insert your needle into the fold and holding your right hand.
Hold the yarn ends in your left hand with a grip that will allow for a soft tension as you work.
Open out your strands of yarn using your thumb and forefinger ready to begin working your stitches. Wrap the back strand of yarn from inside your fist round behind your forefinger. Wrap the front strand of yarn from your fist round the front of your thumb.
Pick up the front strand of yarn using your needle tip from in front of your thumb from bottom upwards. This creates a loop through which you will pull the back strand.
Now pick up the back strand of yarn from your forefinger from top to bottom, back to front. Pull this strand through the loop that you created from the front strand.
Draw the yarn tighter until the two strands combine to make a stitch on your needle.
Readjust your yarn if needed to keep a consistent tension and repeat these steps again until you have your desired number of stitches.
Tips & Techniques
Some practice is required to accurately gauge how long your yarn tail will need to be. When knitting larger pieces such as blankets, i recommend combining your yarn from two sources, e.g. the inside and outside of your ball of yarn, or from two balls of yarn with a knot. Centre your knot on your needle and work your stitches. You can then cut one length of yarn when all of your stitches are cast on without the risk of under- or over-estimating how much yarn you will need.