The long-tail cast-on is an easy method to learn and one of the fastest ways to get stitches onto your needles. It is versatile and will work well for almost any knitting project. Follow this guide on doing the long-tail cast-on: Begin by forming a slip knot. Start with a long tail and form the stitches using both the tail and the yarn attached to the ball. Make sure that the tail is long enough for your project. Place the slip knot on your needle and hold it in your right hand. Then, position your work, so the yarn attached to the ball is in front. Insert your left thumb and index finger between the two strands of yarn. Do this step by wrapping the ball-end yarn around your left thumb, going counter-clockwise. The tail should then go over your index finger and loosely hanging between your two fingers. Slip the tip of the needle under the ball-end yarn wrapped around your thumb. Then, stretch your needle back over the other strands and behind the yarn around your index finger. Slip your needle under the long tail, then through the loop formed around your thumb. – You are going back over the thread that is around the back of your thumb. You should also find that you went back to the thread under the loop around the front of your thumb. Finally, slide the loop of your left thumb and pull the thread, so it holds onto the needle.