INTRODUCTION

Hey, Try This!

Tubular Cast On without waste yarn nor crochet hook

Cheryl Niamath chose a tubular cast on to start her Sophistical sweater . No wonder. Nothing is prettier beneath k1 x p1 ribbing.

Ten years ago, if I were to knit this sweater I’d have to start by looking up directions for the tubular cast on, or maybe I’d accept her invitation to skip it and take the easy way out. In the end if I decided to go for it, I’d find waste yarn and crochet hook and whine later about having to pick out the waste yarn without dropping any important stitches.

Since then, Judy’s Magic Cast On (JMCO) has become my favorite provisional cast on, and I use it exclusively for tubular cast ons. If you learn this method, you may never again need to look up directions for tubular cast on.

Here’s how it works. In this first video (below), notice the difference in appearance between a plainer long-tail cast on and the tubular cast on, so you have the incentive to learn it. Then learn Judy’s Magic Cast On and Tubular Cast On and practice it on a wee swatch.

Tubular Cast on using Judy's Magic Cast On (for flat projects)

That first video shows a small swatch worked flat back and forth. The front and back of Sophistical are also worked flat. Let’s translate her directions to use this method.

“Using smaller straight needles, CO 66 (70, 78, 84, 92, 98, 106) sts using tubular CO method”
becomes
“Using smaller circular needle, JMCO 66 (70, 78, 84, 92, 98, 106). That’s 33 (35, 39, 42, 46, 49, 53) sts on each needle tip. Point needle tips to the right. One at a time and alternating between one knit and one purl, transfer all the stitches to the spare needle. Tubular cast on is complete.”

Now, if you wanted to join in the round instead, this is also possible. The next video shows how to proceed in the round for other projects. Included is a tip for how to be assured you have not twisted your work when joining.

Tubular Cast on using Judy’s Magic Cast On (for circular projects)

The yarn used in these videos is heavier than one you would chose for Sophistical, but I chose it because it is lovely and large enough to see well.
Skacel Collection, simplinatural by Hikoo, a baby alpaca, merino wool, and mulberry silk blend, 183 yards/100 grams.