PurlsAndPixels

Weave in the Cast-on Tail in the Round

Learn to weave in the cast on tail to hide the jog at the beginning of knit rounds - a knitting lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.
Use the yarn tail to smooth the jog at the beginning of hats that have been knit in the round - a knitting lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

At the beginning of your knit rounds, there will likely be a small jog near your slipknot. When you weave in the cast on tail on a round knit project, you can fix the jog and hide the slipknot. Use a darning needle to sew the loose end into the project, while doing your best to match the pattern you’ve knit. Then, tie in your loose ends to hide your ends and anchor your yarn in place.

Below you will find both video and written guides to help you learn how to finish the bottom edge of knit hats.

Video Guide: How to Weave in the Cast-on Tail for Knits Made in the Round

Written Guides: How to Weave in the Cast-on Tail for Knits Made in the Round

Step 1: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 1:

Thread the loose end through the eye of a darning needle.

Step 2: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 2:

Turn the work so that the cast-on edge of the work is facing you and the top of the project is facing down. Near the jog on this edge, locate the slipknot, which was your first cast-on stitch.

Step 3: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 3:

Insert the tip of the darning needle down through the stitch directly behind the slipknot.

Step 4: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 4:

Pull the needle and the yarn tail through the stitch.

Step 5: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 5:

Insert the tip of the darning needle down and through the slipknot.

Step 6: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 6:

Pull the needle and the yarn tail through the slipknot.

Step 7: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 7:

Guide the tip of the darning needle under the edge of the work and toward the front of the work.

Step 8: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 8:

Pull the needle and the yarn tail through to the outside of your work.

Step 9: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 9:

Locate the loop just behind your slipknot on the backside of your work and insert your darning needle tip down and through it.

Step 10: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 10:

Pull the needle and the yarn tail through the stitch. 

Step 11: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 11:

Take the darning needle off the yarn tail.

Step 12: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 12:

Inspect your yarn tail by untwisting it a bit, near your work. Identify the individual yarn plies and count them. Use the tip of your darning needle to help you split the plies into two equal sections. With the four-ply yarn shown, the plies should be split so there are two on each side.

Step 13: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 13:

Gently separate the two halves of the yarn with your darning needle by sliding it out toward the end of the tail. Take care not to break the strands by pulling too quickly or roughly.

Step 14: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 14:

Once the tail is split in two, set one half aside and thread the other half through the eye of your darning needle.

Step 15: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 15:

With the darning needle, sew this half of the tail around the knit stitch that it is coming out from under. Do this by bringing your needle tip under and through the other side of the knit stitch.

Step 16: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 16:

Pull the tail through, only tightly enough to match the pattern of your knitting. Do not pull too tightly.

Step 17: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 17:

Remove the tail from the darning needle.

Step 18: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 18:

Lay the halves of the yarn tail out in opposite directions. One side should point right, the other should point left.

Step 19: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 19:

Tie two small interlocking knots. (See this link for more specific instructions.)  

Step 20: Weave in cast on tail for round knitting projects - a lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Weave in Cast on Tail to Finish Round, Step 20:

Using the sharpest scissors you have available, clip off both halves of the yarn tail, one at a time, as closely as possible to the knot, without cutting the knot itself.

How to finish hats that have been knit from the bottom up.

Return to Hat Finishing Tips to see how to to weave in your other loose ends.

Practice With My Knitting Patterns

Ready to try it?

Learn to make a simple knit beanie hat in all sizes with this knitting pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

You will finish Simple Knit Beanie hats with the yarn tails as I’ve shown you in this lesson.

Basic Slouch Hat knitting pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

My Slouch Hat pattern is finished by weaving in the loose ends in the same manner.

Learn to weave in the cast on tail to hide the jog at the beginning of knit rounds - a knitting lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Up Next

Next, let’s learn to make knitting increases. The “Make One” increases add stitches to your rows. Learning these stitches will allow you to shape the thumbs of gloves and more.

Go Back to the Learn to Knit Index

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