Magic Cast On: 2 ways?

How-to Questions
1

I’d like to try the magic cast on, but I’ve seen it two ways. Knitty describes it as needing to knit the second half of the stitches through the back loops to re-orient them http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html

But if you wrap the “bottom” yarn around “needle 2” the opposite way, you can knit all the stitches normal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhBIS0AhhQY

Does it make any difference which way it is done?

2

I prefer using the Turkish Cast On. It gets you to the same place, but I feel it’s easier.

3

I haven’t been able to get Judy’s Magic CO right, and the figure 8 gets weird on me (or I don’t like the twisted sts), so I use the Turkish too.

4

I like to refer to this video, for the magic cast-on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhBIS0AhhQY. I don’t use the technique very often, so I always need a refresher.

I hope it can answer your question and help you with the technique!

5

It doesn’t matter, I’ve worked it both ways (most of the time like Knitty)…it’s which ever you are more comfy with :thumbsup:

6

Thanks. I don’t have 2 identical needles, but I think you could do this on one needle, as well. I’ve never done magic loop knitting, but I pick up things pretty easily. As well, the project is not that small, it should go around the length of a circular needle just fine. I wonder would that work? It’s the b4 bag http://www.bloomoon.com/b4.html

You don’t even need an invisible cast on. You can seam it at the end, but because it’s the bottom of a bag, I don’t want to risk it coming un-seamed.

7

Oh yes, I’ve the CO on both ends of the same needle just fine, then you knit the first round like ML.

8

I did it. I used the magic cast on, partly because I had read/watched how to do it so many times. I also wasn’t sure what would happen with the Turkish if my initial loops slid off the tips and onto the cable. I also did the MCO according to the video, knitting into the front loops only.

Turned out not too bad, you can slightly see a difference in the tension with the cast on row.

9

I did it. I used the magic cast on, partly because I had read/watched how to do it so many times. I also wasn’t sure what would happen with the Turkish if my initial loops slid off the tips and onto the cable. I also did the MCO according to the video, knitting into the front loops only.

Turned out not too bad, you can slightly see a difference in the tension with the cast on row.

10

With the Turkish CO yes, sometimes the loops do slide onto the cord, but they’re fine. Just knit them as if they were on the needle which they will be when you get to them.

You did a good job; I haven’t been able to get the magic CO to come out right yet.

11

What a fantastic method! Thanks to Jan, Knit4Pie and Suzeeq for the links and encouragement…will work with an oval tablecloth or elongated shawl worked in the round as well! :muah:

12

Anything that’s in the round… blankets, bags…