Butterfly Kisses KAL: Long Tail Cast On in the Round

Now that our earwarmer is complete, let me show you how to do the long tail cast on in the round so we can start knitting our mitts.

If you need to review any of the Butterfly Kisses KAL lessons along the way, a complete list of tutorial links is available on the KAL Introduction page. My thanks to Skacel for providing me with the HiKoo Sueño Tonal yarn and addi Natura dpns for this KAL.

Lesson 4: Long Tail Cast On in the Round

The long tail cast on is one of my favorite, all-purpose cast on methods. The only problem I have found with this technique is that when it is worked in the round you can get a funny little gap where the cast on stitches join together. Luckily, it's easy to avoid this gap.

Now that you know how to cast on, it's time to knit the wrist of our mitts.

Pattern

(If you would like a printable copy of the entire pattern, Butterfly Kisses is available in my shop.)

CO 45 sts evenly around 3 dpns using a long tail cast on.

3 x 2 Ribbing All Rnds: p1, k3, [p2, k3] to last stitch, p1.

Work 3 x 2 Ribbing for at least 1 ½ inches, or desired length.

Rnd 1: k5, place a marker, M1L, place marker, k40.

Mini Lesson

M1L means Make 1 Left.

To do this, locate the horizontal strand that is between the needles. Insert the left needle tip under the strand from front to back. Then, knit the lifted loop through the back. This makes a new stitch into the twisted strand.

Back to the Pattern

Slip the markers when needed. The thumb gusset will be worked between the markers.

Rnd 2, 4, 6: k all sts.

Rnd 3, 5, 7: yfwd, sl5, ybk, k1, [yfwd, sl5, ybk, k5] 4 times.

Rnd 8: k2, make Bowknot, k3, [k2, make Bowknot, k7] 4 times.

In our next lesson I'll show you how to make the thumb gusset as we continue our mitts.

Post your Progress

Here are my mitts so far.

I'd love to see yours. Don't forget to share pictures of your work on Facebook and Instagram with #thechillydog and tag me @thechillydog.