The Turkish Cast On is an invisible cast on, that creates a closed piece of fabric. This sets you up to either work in the round, or to work two flat halves. It’s an excellent cast on for toe up socks, mittens, pouches, purses, or stuffed animals.
How to work a Turkish Cast On
Put a slip knot onto a dpn.
Hold 2 dpns together, with the slip knit on the bottom needle.
From behind the needles, wrap yarn loosely around both needles for one-half the total number of stitches needed, ending with yarn behind the needles.
Using a third dpn, knit into the loops on the top needle, without taking the original loops off. Turn so bottom needle is on top.
Skip or remove the slip knit and using a fourth dpn, knit the loops on the second dpn (remove the first dpn to make it easier to knit off the second dpn). Undo slip knot.
On next round, divide stitches over 3 or 4 needles.
Alternatives to the Turkish Cast On: Modified Turkish Cast On, and Judy’s Magic Cast On.