Double-Sided Cast-Ons
The three cast-ons in this section are for casting on in the round while making a sealed, seamless edge at the bottom of your work. They are most often used for toe-up socks as well as felted bags, hot water bottle covers, and the like. You can also use any of these cast-ons to knit two-at-a-time toe-up socks using Magic Loop – I show you here with Judy’s Magic Cast-On.
All three cast-ons can be used interchangeably. I’ve listed them in descending order from my most to least favorite.
Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO)
Judy’s Magic Cast-On is a fantastic double-sided cast-on.
Not only is it the sturdiest of the double-sided cast-ons, in my opinion it is also the easiest to knit into, which is when it really counts.
Invented by Judy Becker, this cast-on creates a row of knitting in between the two rows of live stitches on your needles.
I recommend using a long circular needle instead of double-points to do this cast-on.
Judy's Magic Cast-On
Tips:
1. Twist your working yarn and tail yarn around each other once when you finish the cast-on. This will hold the stitches in place.
2. Make sure to place a marker at the beginning of the round, since your tail will be on the inside of your work and, after a while, you won’t be able to see it.
3. To knit the first round, start with the knit side facing towards you and the needle tips pointing to the right. Pull the bottom needle out to start knitting in the round using Magic Loop.
More Info:
To do Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO) for Two-at-at-Time Toe-Up Socks, see this video.
The matching bind-off for this and all double-sided cast-ons is Kitchener Stitch.
Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO) for 2@aTime Knitting
Two-at-a-time toe-up socks are one of my favorite uses of Judy’s Magic Cast-On.
If you are comfortable with Magic Loop knitting and Judy’s Magic Cast-On, combine the two skills to start a pair of toe-up socks.
Not only are toe-up socks fast to knit, there’s no heel flap or picking up stitches. In the video below, I walk you through casting on for a two-at-a-time toe-up project.
Two-at-a-Time Knitting with Judy's Magic Cast-On
To Do the Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO) for Two-at-a-Time Knitting:
1. Use a long circular needle to do this cast-on. I recommend 47 inches (120 cm).
2. Make sure to place a marker at the beginning of the round, since your tail will be on the inside of your work and, after a while, you won’t be able to see it.
3. To knit the first round, start with the knit side facing towards you and the needle tips pointing to the right. Pull the bottom needle out to start knitting in the round on Magic Loop.
More Info:
The matching bind-off for this and all double-sided cast-ons is Kitchener Stitch.
Turkish Cast-On
The Turkish Cast-On is a double-sided cast-on that is even and sturdy. It’s easy because all it entails is just wrapping the yarn around both of your needle tips held together.
However, what it gains in easiness at the cast-on stage causes more difficulty when it’s time to knit into the cast-on. You’ll need to be proficient in Magic Loop in order to make this cast-on work without dropping stitches.
Restricted Video
This video is available to members of Knitting Superstar University or the following classes:
If you own this class, please LOG IN to watch.
Tips:
1. Hold your working and tail yarns carefully so that no stitches disappear off the needles.
2. To knit into the cast-on, pull the bottom needle out to start knitting in the round using Magic Loop.
3. After you’ve knit the first round, place a marker at the beginning of the round.
More Info:
The matching bind-off for this and all double-sided cast-ons is Kitchener Stitch.
Figure-8 Cast-On
The Figure-8 Cast-On is my least-favorite double-sided cast-on.
The cast-on row of stitches can be loose and have a noticeable kink, instead of curving smoothly.
Like the Turkish cast-on, the figure-8 cast-on is easy to do but hard to knit into. You’ll need to be proficient in Magic Loop in order to make this cast-on work without dropping stitches.
Restricted Video
This video is available to members of Knitting Superstar University or the following classes:
If you own this class, please LOG IN to watch.
Tips:
1. Hold your working and tail yarns carefully so that no stitches disappear off the needles.
2. To knit into the cast-on, pull the bottom needle out to start knitting in the round on Magic Loop.
3. After you’ve knit the first round, place a marker at the beginning of the round.
More Info:
The matching bind-off for this and all double-sided cast-ons is Kitchener Stitch.
