How do I get rid of the overly long tail inbetween my knitting needles when I cast on?

Question

Pretty self-explainitory. When I cast on and start knitting that row, I get this long tail between the needles that gets bigger and bigger, and it gets so long on hats and stuff that it gets all knotted up.

I figured maybe if I tried casting on differently, it wouldn't be so bad? Suggestions? I just do a basic sling-shot cast on.

Answer 1

Try using the long tail cast on method. Here's a link with instructions.
http://knitting.about.com/od/learntoknit/ss/caston.htm

Answer 2

I used to have the same problem!! I figured out that it was indeed the method I was using to cast on (with the "sling-shot" cast on it's very easy to make it uneven and not tight enough because you can do it so fast and hence don't need to pay that close of attention!). I switched at first to the regular knit the stitch and slip it back on the needle as someone above mentioned, and I have now moved to the cable cast on (see http://knittinghelp.com for a video!) because it was less bulky and noticible (with the knit on I could always tell which end of the scarf I started on).

Answer 3

You need to use a different method of cast on. I guess your using the old swirl it around and slip it over the needle method.

Instead, try the knit stitch. Do a slip knot to begin on one needle, and then knit into it, instead of placing the pulled yard on the right needle, slide it back onto the left. Keep going until you have all stitches cast on.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I don't know if you're supposed to do this but when I knit, I won't cast on all the stitches I need. Then as I knit the first row, I use that tail to add stitches when it gets long enough.

But I'm a very basic knitter and don't even know if how I cast on has a name. lol. But it works for me.

Answer 5

I'm a knitter and I've never encountered this but, maybe pull tighter of try a different method.

Answer 6

there is another way to cast on....the name elludes me at the moment...try this website...it has handy video clips!
There is a tighter, neater way to cast on!