Something New

Any toe-up sock knitters out there?

white yarn and dpns

I’m working on something new. (it’s not a sock)

I’ve got two related questions that I hope y’all can help me with:

Is there a toe-up cast on (besides provisional) that doesn’t require circular needles?

What do you think is the easiest (and easiest to explain) toe-up cast on?

I’ve got a way to do what I need to do, but I think that some kind of closed cast-on would be a much more elegant way to do it. The trick is that I don’t want to require people to have a second set of needles for these toys and I don’t want to force people to wrap their heads around a complex technique that takes a page to explain and might scare people away.

Toy knitting should be fun! Toy knitting should not make you cry and tear your hair.

Any ideas?

11 thoughts on “Something New”

  1. Jen B

    I use Judy’s magic cast on (with the curious knitter’s adaptation)
    http://curiousknitter.blogspot.com/2011/02/judys-magic-cast-on-la-jeny.html

    with DPNs all the time – the trick is to cast on using 2 needles & as you start to knit add in the additional needles. For example using judy’s magic cast on 8 stitches. Taking a new DPN knit 2 stitches off of the needle (2 stitches will remain) then using another dpn knit remaining 2 stitches off of needle. Then if using 4dpns – knit 4 stitches onto the next DPN. Voila – a closed cast on using DPNs

  3. Morganna

    I’ll second the Magic Cast On. I tried figure-8, but didn’t like it at all, so became a provisional (wrap and turn) toe person, until I discoved the Magic.

    Depending on what you’re doing, there are different kinds of provisional cast on. It doesn’t have to be the crochet-start method. You could have people cast on and knit a row or two in waste yarn, then switch to the regular yarn. When they need to pick up the other ‘live’ stitches they just cut away the waste yarn.

  4. Sara

    Well, I see everyone has beaten me to the suggestion :-). I third Judy’s Magic Cast on! It’s the BEST!

  6. Ruth

    Seriously LOL at the idea that using Magic Loop is a scary, page-long, or complex technique! I was too stupid to handle DPN’s, so I am eternally greatful for the one long circ method. Hope you finds what you needs.

  8. kathy b

    oh i have no idea. BUt I love that toy knitting is inherently fun!!! Cant wait to see this creation> HAPPY MOTHERS DAY To a wonderful knitter mom

  9. Alyssa

    Besides Judy’s Magic and Figure 8… if you cast on a small number the space won’t be noticable. Right now I’m making a stuffed animal with worsted weight yarn using size 5 needles, and if you CO 4 stitches, then knit in the round from there there isn’t a hole.

  10. Anita

    I’m falling in behind all the Judy’s Magic Cast On. It took me a little bit to figure it out, but it’s my favorite when I choose to knit toe up.

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