Never Worry About Running Out of Yarn While Casting On!

  At the start of the Olympics, our shop began a Knit Along to MAYBE finish before the end of the sporting event.  (I believe quite a few of them will win gold metals for this!)  As we sat together, casting on for Martha Wissing Designs' Rockport Tee, no one wanted to struggle with estimating how much yarn to pull to cast on 360 stitches using the long tail cast on method.  (This is recommended for the pattern to highlight the lace edge.)  We taught them a new method, not the act of casting on, but for beginning the cast on.  

1.     When many stitches are required for a pattern, find the inside pull of the yarn and the outside pull.  (If using multiple balls, just choose your favorite for two balls.)  
2. With these two ends TOGETHER, make a slip knot and place it on the needle as usual.   Leaving enough yarn for the tails to weave in.
3. Hold the tails of the yarn in your hand with the needle to keep them out of the way.
4. Placing the index finger and thumb through the two long strands of yarn as with any long tail cast on, begin the cast on of plenty.  You will not run out of tail!!
5. When you have counted your stitches a couple of times (count twice, cut once),  cut the yarn you do not wish to use.  If you like to pull from the center, cut the yarn coming from the outside and vice versa.  Leave about an 8 inch tail to weave in later.
6. Carefully slip the double yarn slip stitch off the back of the needle.
7. Begin knitting!!
8. You must contend with 3 tails to weave in, but you never have to worry about estimating the length of the tail again!