How to Knit Judy’s Magic Cast-On (JMCO)

Named for its inventor Judy Becker, Judy’s Magic Cast-On is a must-learn technique for starting seamless toe-up socks. It’s not reserved exclusively for socks though! You can also use it as a way to cast-on a rectangular shawl that’s worked from the center out.

This double-sided cast-on creates two rows of live stitches opposite one another with a row of stockinette in between. It works well using magic loop or double-pointed needles.

Watch How to Work Judy’s Magic Cast-On

RELATED: Socktoberfest: Your Best Bind-off for Toe-up Socks

Step-by-Step Written Instructions

Hold two needles parallel in your right hand, one on top of the other and needle points facing to the left. Leaving a tail long enough to cast on the required number of stitches, drape the yarn over the top needle so the tail is in front and the ball yarn in back (Figure 1).

Cross the yarns so the tail is in the back and the ball yarn in the front, then place the thumb and index finger of your left hand between the two strands so that the tail is over your index finger and the ball yarn is over your thumb (Figure 2). This forms the first stitch on the top needle.

*Pivoting both needles together, bring the bottom needle over the top of the finger yarn, then bring the finger yarn up from below the bottom needle, over the top of this bottom needle, then to the back between the two needles (Figure 3). This forms the first stitch on the bottom needle.

Point the needles downward, bring the bottom needle past the thumb yarn, then bring the thumb yarn between the two needles to the front then over the top needle (Figure 4). There are now two stitches on the top needle.

Repeat from * until you have the desired number of stitches on each needle. Both needles should have the same number of stitches (Figure 5).

Remove both yarn ends from your left hand, rotate the needles like the hands of a clock so that the bottom needle is now on top and both strands of yarn are at the needle tip (Figure 6).

Originally published online September 12, 2013. 

Knit a drawer full of beautiful socks with Interweave’s library of videos, workshops, and more!