Quick answer: Judy's Magic Cast On casts stitches onto two needle tips simultaneously — half on each — creating a seamless, gap-free toe start for toe-up socks.
What it is
Judy's Magic Cast On (by Judy Becker) creates a seamless, gap-free start for toe-up socks or mittens. Stitches are cast onto two needles at once, ready to knit in the round immediately.
When to use it
- Toe-up socks on two circulars or magic loop
- Thumb-up mittens
- Any small-circumference project starting from a closed tip
How to do it
- Hold two needle tips (or both cable ends of magic loop) parallel in right hand.
- Make a slip knot on the top needle — first stitch.
- Hold tail over index finger, working yarn over thumb.
- Loop the tail yarn up and over the bottom needle. (1 stitch on bottom.)
- Loop the working yarn up and over the top needle. (2 stitches on top.)
- Alternate: loop tail over bottom, loop working yarn over top — until you have equal stitches on each needle.
- Turn work so bottom needle is on top. Knit across. Turn again. Knit the other needle. You're knitting in rounds.
Common mistakes
- Wrong yarn direction — loops should all twist the same way
- Unequal stitches on each needle — cast on exactly the same amount on each
- Slip knot too loose — creates a hole at the very start