Definition:
Long tail is a method of casting on that involves using two ends of the yarn to form the stitches on the needle. It gets its name from the "long tail" you have to pull out of your ball of yarn in order to make the stitches.
New knitters often wonder how long their long tail should be. It's an important question, because if your long tail is too short when you start, you'll run out of yarn before all your stitches are made.
Many knitters prefer the long-tail method of casting on because, once you get the hang of it, it is quick and easy to make stitches this way. It also makes a relatively stretchy edge, and it's technically the same as a row of knit stitches, so if the first row in your pattern is a knit row, you can skip it.
Also Known As: double cast on
