Learn Judy’s Magic Cast-On

One of the greatest inventions of all time, Judy’s Magic Cast-On was originally published in Knitty.com’s Spring issue of ’06 and is absolutely the best way to start toe-up socks. This video shows you how.

Cast On For Both Socks

We start by casting on for one sock, and then immediately we use the second ball of yarn to cast on for the second sock.

I’ll show you how to use Magic Loop to work one round, two-at-a-time, and then it’s time to begin to increase.

Clarifying the “Bottom Needle/Back Needle” Concept

The instructions for Judy’s Magic Cast-On have you using the bottom needle, not the back needle, to pull and knit with.

On the first round, rotate your needles so that the bottom needle becomes the back needle.

Tips for Knitting First Round

The trick to not losing your JMCO (Judy’s Magic Cast-On) stitches on toe-up socks is to twist the tail and working yarn of the second sock together a few times so that the stitches don’t fall off.

KnitFreedom student Leila S. shares this advice: “I’ve managed to keep sane with my first rows with JMCO by tying the tail in a loose knot on that pesky first stitch. The knot doesn’t show or alter the look of the other stitches on the first or subsequent rows. It works for me, and, as I said, keeps me somewhat sane.

“Also, instead of cutting the tail to preclude working with it, I’ve found it helpful to weave it in if I’m satisfied with my CO row. That way, the tails are out of my way, and I continue knitting with the toes already shaping themselves into little pockets.”

How the Toe Increases Work

In these two videos, I show you how to do the two kinds of increases found in your pattern, the M1L and M1R, and why we do them. Continue increasing as in the video until your socks contain the specified number of stitches.

Optional: Easier Increases

Several students have said doing the M1 increases, especially on fingering-weight yarn and at the fiddly beginning of toe-up socks, is just too hard.

For them, and you, I’ve made the following video:

Increasing On Your Socks

Since I’m knitting along with you, I’ll show you what this looks like on your socks. You can also review the videos for M1L and M1R in your video dictionary. By the way, this is the hardest part. It’s all downhill from here.

Keeping Track Of Your Increases

Here’s how to read your work so you don’t have to write anything down while you knit.

Here’s what it looks like when you’ve finished increasing for the toes. Tip: tuck your tails inside your socks to keep them out of the way.