Stitches

Knitting: After casting on, what do you do with the tail?

I've just learned how to cast on, but the tail gets in the way. Do you leave this, or cut it? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. Leave it. When you're finished with your project, you may need this tail to "finish off" the last few stitches or to help weave one end of the project with the beginning end. In other words, it could be useful later. Also, if you clip it, it could start to unravel. If it really, really bothers you now, then weave it into your work-in-progress in such a way that you can tease it out later and use it if necessary.
2. In all probility you wont have any use for the tail unless it is extra long. Weave it in and clip the unwanted left over. EDIT........ If you clip the yarn only one or two stitches will unravel. If you every have the opportunity to check this out you will see what I mean.
3. I leave it as it helps in sewing up later. If the item does not get sewn to something else - such as a potholder or mug mat - I run it in through some stitches before trimming so the knitting does not unravel. If it is too long you can clip the tail shorter, or wind it around a small piece of cardboard or paper and tape it down. This stays out of your way but is easy to unwind if needed.