How do you know how much yarn you need to cast on?? <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

It really depends on what method you are using for your cast on. If you are using the long tail method, you will need about twice as much yarn pulled off to allow you enough to complete your cast on.

Other methods simply use the yarn as you need it, straight from your ball or skein.

http://www.wonderful-things.com/newknit.htm

This site shows about three different cast on methods, and with the illustrations, you can see how much yarn is used to get set up to knit.

http://www.anniesattic.com/knitting/content.html?content_id=148

This site shows the knitted cast on, which doesn't require you to figure out how much yarn to pull off, like long-tail.

Me, personally, I like long tail. I always pull off way more yarn than I need. I then cut off whatever is left over after I get my required number of stitches cast on. The excess yarn is never really wasted, since I can use the excess to sew up a seam, hold extra stitches, even stuff some of the small cat toys I make (my kitten doesn't destroy them, so if the toys are knitted tight, she can't get the stuffing out!)

Also please see www.bellaonline.com/site/knitting and look at the links under my picture click on the knitting lessons I have 3 different ways to cast on, if you use the thumb method you don't have to pull of any amount.

I was always told to allow one inch of yarn per stitch when doing a long-tail cast-on. It's usually WAY too much, but at least you don't end up with too short a tail, or having to start over!

oh dear i feel like such an idiot. I'm looking at these links (Eva, I haven't looked at yours yet) and I still don't get it. I managed the slip knot to start but after that sentences like "now pull it through" confuse me. Pull what through what?

aye.
meg

Wow, I've probably cast on thousands of stitches in my life, but as I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to describe it to you, I'm stumped! I always do a long-tail cast-on, and while I could show it to you, I don't think I could walk you through it in words (particularly from work, where I don't have needles and yarn handy, darn it!)

I hope Eva, who teaches knitting, will chime in with some good advice.

Sorry!

I think she got it now (see other messages). And if she hasn't then I will be more than happy to walk her through it <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />