What is a Modified Turkish Cast On
I’ve dubbed this “modified Turkish cast on“. The modification wraps the yarn around both needles, but crosses the yarn between the needles. I think this modification makes it much easier to work the first round after casting on and makes for a slightly less open cast on.
Working the Modified Turkish Cast On
Put a slip knot onto a double pointed needle (dpn) and hold two dpns in the right hand with a bit of space between them and with the slip knot on the bottom needle. Use the yarn (not the tail) to *wrap the yarn, going from behind the top needle, over the top and down between the needles, bringing the yarn behind and under the bottom needle and to the front and between the needles; repeat from * until there are the correct number of loops (or stitches) on the bottom needle. Complete the last loop by wrapping the top needle. Turn the needles so the bottom needle is on the top. You will be ready to knit the stitches with the yarn.
When working this cast on, the total number of stitches or loops on both needles should match the number of stitches needed and be divided equally between the two dpns. If the cast on number is given as a total number, divide it between the two dpns.
Where to Use the Modified Turkish Cast On
This is an ideal cast on for toe-up socks or other applications where a closed, in-the-round piece is worked from the bottom up. The number of stitches cast on would determine whether the bottom is flat (as in a toe) or more circular.
This would also be useable as a cast on for a flat piece being worked in two directions. Not quite as sophisticated as Judy’s Magic cast on, I think it is closer than the Turkish cast on.
