Often (though not exclusively) used to cast on for toe up socks, Judy’s Magic Cast On is an invisible cast on that gives you two rows of live stitches. From there there you can either work in the round (as for a toe up sock), or flat.
Beginning Notes
- Judy’s Magic Cast On is done with the needle tips of a single circular needle. The project will be knitted using the magic loop method.
- Judy wrote in-depth instructions for this cast on, on Knitty.com. You can see Judy’s original instructions here.
- Judy’s Magic Cast On is done much like the long-tail cast on; you will need a long yarn tail and your left hand will hold the yarn in a similar manner on the thumb and forefinger.
Judy’s Magic Cast On – Flat
Casting on: Holding 2 needle tips in right hand, drape the yarn over the top needle (A) so that the tail is toward the front of the needle. Hold the bottom needle (B) below A. Pick up the yarn and tail so the tail is over the forefinger (causing the yarn and tail to cross underneath the needle) and the yarn is on the thumb. Don’t tip the hand upward as you do for the long tail. For orientation purposes, the tail wraps B and the yarn wraps A. *The tail will come underneath B, and wrap over B going between A and B, then the yarn goes between A and B and wraps over A. Repeat from *. End with a tail wrap to get the same number of stitches on each needle.
Working the first row flat: Without dropping the yarn and tail, move A and B to left hand so tips are pointing toward the right. *Pull the needle tip B so the stitches are on the cable. You will likely find it easier to work the initial row of stitches with a separate needle. Hold onto the tail for the first couple of stitches, knitting the stitches on A with the yarn. When the stitches on A are knit, turn the piece so that a WS row can be worked. Continue to work your pattern for one side of the piece on A. When that piece is complete, the stitches on the cable will be pulled onto the needle tip of B and it will be worked as directed.
Judy’s Magic Cast On – In The Round
Casting on: Holding 2 needle tips in right hand, drape the yarn over the top needle (A) so that the tail is toward the front of the needle. Hold the bottom needle (B) below A. Pick up the yarn and tail so the tail is over the forefinger (causing the yarn and tail to cross underneath the needle) and the yarn is on the thumb. Don’t tip the hand upward as you do for the long tail. For orientation purposes, the tail wraps B and the yarn wraps A. *The tail will come underneath B, and wrap over B going between A and B, then the yarn goes between A and B and wraps over A. Repeat from *. End with a tail wrap to get the same number of stitches on each needle.
Working the first row in the round: Without dropping the yarn and tail, move A and B to left hand so tips are pointing toward the right. *Pull the needle tip B so the stitches are on the cable and needle tip B can be used to knit the sts on A. Hold onto the tail for the first couple of stitches, knitting the stitches on A with the yarn. When the stitches on A are knit, again rotate the needles so tips are pointing toward the right, pull the needle tip of B into the stitches and pull the needle tip A so the stitches are on the cable. Knit the stitches on B. Repeat from *.
(You are always pulling the stitches onto the cable on the lower needle and putting them onto the tip on the top needle. The yarn will always be coming from the bottom needle stitches at this stage.)
Pattern Specific Variations to Judy’s Magic Cast On
Sometimes, I include technique variations that are for specific patterns. I always include directions for specific techniques in the pattern itself, so be sure to also read any patterns you’re working on closely.
Judy’s Magic Cast On (Flat) Variation for Remarkables
Using 2 needle tips, drape the yarn over the top needle (A) so that the tail is toward the front of the needle. Hold the bottom needle (B) below A. Pick up the yarn and tail so the tail is over the forefinger (causing the yarn and tail to cross underneath the needle) and the yarn is on the thumb. Don’t tip the hand upward as you do for the long tail. For orientation purposes, the tail wraps B and the yarn wraps A. *The tail will come underneath B, and wrap over B going between A and B, then the yarn goes between A and B and wraps over A. Repeat from *. End with a tail wrap to get the same number of stitches on each needle.
Put stitches on lower needle onto waste yarn or a stitch holder.
Modification for Judy’s Magic Cast On (Flat) for Remarkables
*The tail will go between A and B then over B underneath. Turn the hands so that the tail and yarn cross when brought into position to wrap the next needle. The yarn now goes between A and B and over A and and underneath.
