Long Tail Upgrade

The other day I was starting a new project and needed to cast on 100 stitches.  I wanted to use the long tail cast on, so I proceeded to make the usual guesstimate of just how long that tail should be.  

Then I remembered a trick I had heard about and decided to give it a try.

Take both ends from the ball of yarn.  I'm working from a single ball, but if you have two balls, you can take one end from each ball.

Make a slip knot using both ends of yarn.

Put the slip knot on the needle.

Cast on the desired number of stitches plus 1.

When you're finished casting on, cut one of the strands of yarn.  I cut the strand that was around my thumb since that is the "tail" strand.

On the other end of the needle, bump the slip knot off and unravel it. You're ready to knit.

I'm delighted!  No more worries about running out of yarn when using the long tail cast on.

My color inspiration this week captures both fall and winter.

Snowy cover-up.