Turkish Cast On
A super-simple provisional cast on for starting knitted tubes.
Turkish Cast On is the easiest way to start knitting closed tubes like toe-up socks. I also use it to start my crown-down Owl Eyes on You Hat.
How to Do It
Basic Principle:
You will be wrapping loops around two circular needles held together, then knitting into them to create two stitches per loop.
Steps
Note: These instructions differ from the video in that Norman has you start by holding the needles in your dominant hand and then transferring them after wrapping the yarn, whereas I have you start by holding them in your non-dominant hand. Also, Norman has you knit all the stitches onto one needle to continue with Magic Loop Method, whereas these instructions have you continue on two circular needles for the two-circular method. Otherwise, they are the same.
- Hold the tips from one end of each circular needle parallel in your non-dominant hand, with your palm down and the tips pointing across your body. The tips should be close together but not touching.
- Make a slip knot and place it on the needle closest to you. (Farthest needle: Needle A; Nearest needle: Needle B.)
- Wrap the working yarn loosely around both needles counter-clockwise, being sure to make the first wrap under Needle A and coming up over the top of the needles towards you. Wrap half as many times as you need for your cast-on stitch count, as each wrap equals two stitches.
- Pull Needle B through the stitches until only the cable is caught in the wraps. Let it hang.
- Use the non-working end of Needle A to knit into the loops across it. Slide the stitches onto the cable of Needle A. Turn the work so Needle B is farthest from you. Slide the stitches onto the tip of Needle B.
- Slide the slip knot off of Needle B and undo it. Knit across the loops on Needle B using the tip from that same needle. Turn.
- Switch to Needle A and knit across. Turn and switch needles. Continue on in this manner, creating a closed tube of the desired length.
Owl Eyes on You Hat
On Sale
CAD9.00
CA$9.00
“Hoo” is there? Oh, it's you!
This adorable owl topper is sure to enhance the look of the little lad or lady in your life. The soft, seamless, one-piece construction means no irritating bumps and ridges on the inside. Use double-sided Turkish Cast on to start at the crown and knit down to the brim. The face is created using crocheted applique and two shank buttons.
PROJECT LEVEL: Easy
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Digital download includes:
- PDF (standard) - best for printing or for sighted knitters
- PDF (Screen Reader Accessible Large-Print) - best for Print Challenged knitters and reading on phones
- EPUB (eBook) - best for anyone who wants reflowable, resizable text
Refer to “Accessibility” below for more information about file types.
About Design
Construction
Hat is worked in the round from the crown down, starting from a double-sided Turkish provisional cast on.
Sizes
Measurements given are head circumferences, not garment dimensions. Age ranges are approximate.
- Infant (6 to 12 months): 18 inches (or 45.5 cm)
- Toddler (12 to 24 months): 19 inches (or 48.5 cm)
- Child Small (2 to 5 years): 20 inches (or 51.0 cm)
- Child Medium (6 to 10 years): 21 inches (or 53.5 cm)
Garment Dimensions:
UNSTRETCHED CIRCUMFERENCE: 16 (16.8, 17.6, 18.4) inches [or 40.5 (42.5, 44.5, 46.5) cm]
CIRCUMFERENCE STRETCHES TO: 18.5 (19.4, 20.25, 21.25) inches [or 47.0 (49.5, 51.5, 54.0) cm]
CROWN HEIGHT: 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8) inches [or 16.5 (18.0, 19.0, 20.5) cm]
Supplies
Yarn
COLOUR A: 1 (1, 1) ball of plied aran-weight yarn with 183 metres in 100 grams (or 200 yards in 3.53 ounces)
COLOUR B: A small amount (see yardages) of plied aran-weight yarn in a contrasting colour for appliqued facial features and brim
Approximate yardages:
COLOUR A: 60 (69, 78, 89) metres [or 66 (76, 86, 98) yards]
COLOUR B: 18 (19, 20, 20) metres [or 20 (21, 22, 22) yards]
Needles
- Two size 5.0 mm (US size 8) 29-inch (72.5-cm) circular needles OR size needed to obtain gauge (using two different material types, such as bamboo and metal, will make it easier to tell them apart)
- 4.00 mm crochet hook
Notions
Yarn needle, two black or dark shank buttons for eyes ¾ to 1 inch (or 1.9 to 2.5 centimetres) in diameter, stitch marker.
Gauge
20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches (or 10 cm) over stockinette stitch knit flat
About Samples
Both Samples:
Bernat Satin, a 100% acrylic aran-weight yarn with 183 metres in 100 grams (or 200 yards in 3.53 ounces) that knits up to 18 stitches in 4 inches (10 cm) with size 5.0 mm (US size 8) needles over stockinette stitch
- SILK (CREAM) COLOURWAY BASE: Size 2 (Toddler)
- SABLE (BEIGE) COLOURWAY BASE: Size 3 (Child Small)
Techniques & Resources
Skills you will need:
- Knit
- Purl
- Make a gauge swatch in stockinette stitch
All other required stitches are explained.
Techniques used:
- Knitting in the round using two circular needles
- Turkish Cast On
- Make a crochet chain
- Single, double, and triple crochet stitches
- Basic Bind Off
Included resources:
- A comprehensive list of links to online tutorials on my website for necessary skills. Tutorials are screen-reader accessible, with instructions relayed fully in text, and also include videos and downloadable photo tutorials.
- Instructions for alterations
- All instructions are written out
- Written instructions for Turkish Cast On included in pattern
Publishing Information
Release Date: 2011
Most recent revision: June 2023
Publisher: My Secret Wish Publishing
Knitting pattern type: Single Design Option
Project type: Hat, Beanie, Toque
Bookmarked PDF Page Count: 6
Large Print Screen Reader Accessible PDF Page Count: 30
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-989800-38-6
ISBN (Bookmarked PDF): 978-1-989800-39-3
ISBN (Large Print SRA PDF): 978-1-989800-40-9
COPYRIGHT AND LICENSING NOTICE:
This pattern is copyright My Secret Wish by Talena. Your purchase of this pattern gives you the right to use it for personal, non-profit use only. To license the pattern to use for profit, please e-mail me for permission. You do NOT have the right to print the pattern for other people (unless they reside in your household) or to transfer the digital file to any other person. This pattern may not be sold, copied, or distributed in any way.
Update History
June 22, 2023:
- Revised formatting of PDF to align with current template style.
- Clarified language where necessary.
- Added another size.
- Checked sizing and measurements.
- Updated URLs for new store and social links.
- Created an abbreviation-free EPUB version and a screen reader accessible Large Print version.
About My Secret Wish Knitting
Hi! I’m Talena Winters (a.k.a. the Yarn Mermaid).
I started My Secret Wish Knitting in 2010 to empower and delight knitting heroes like you who want to elevate your knitting and make magic with yarn. When I’m not concocting new yarn potion recipes, I’m creating story magic as a fantasy and romance author and fiction editor (at talenawinters.com). I live with my family and pets in the Peace Country of northern Alberta, Canada, where sweater weather lasts at least nine months a year and my closest neighbours are bears and wood nymphs.
This website is a labour of love by a team of one (me!). If you found value here, please support the effort by purchasing a pattern. If you want more knitting magic, check out my community events and newsletter in the Knitting Circle. We’d love to have you!