Straightening and Joining the First Round

The tricky parts of working in the round are avoiding the gap between the first and last cast-on stitches and being sure the work doesn’t get twisted after casting-on. Keeping the stitches from twisting is fairly straightforward with double-pointed needles, but it can be quite challenging with techniques such as magic loop or 2 circulars. If your work is twisted, you’ll end up knitting a Moebius strip instead of socks or whatever you’re aiming for.
Here’s a great way to join the cast-on stitches for knitting in the round:
1. Cast on 1 extra stitch.
2. After casting-on, straighten the stitches:
    a. Divide the stitches between the needles and slide them about halfway up each needle.
    b. At the dividing point, straighten the knitting so the cast-on edges are next to each other. Pinch about 1 inch down from the dividing point to secure.
    c. At the dividing point, straighten the knitting so the cast-on edges are next to each other. Pinch about 1 inch down from the dividing point to secure.
    d. Below the pinched stitches, straighten again so the edges continue to face each other.
    e. Continue straightening and pinching until you reach the ends on the needles.
3. You can tie the cast-on tail to the working yarn now, OR work the first round before tying. This has the advantage of letting you tie up the almost inevitable slack that appears after the first round is done.
4. To work the first round, start with the stitches that were cast-on first instead of turning and working the last cast-ons to start the round.

5. Before starting the first round, move the last cast-on stitch from the right needle over to the left needle. Knit 2 together (the moved stitch with the first cast-on stitch).
6. Proceed with working the first round.
7. After the first round, straighten again.
8. At the end of the first round, tie the cast-on tail to the working yarn.
For more knitting tips that will help with Witch Warmers, see
Preventing Uneven Ribs
Big Magic Loop
Closing the Bind-Off Gap
Preventing Ladders
Exquisite Striping in the Round
Quick and Dirty Striping
Adding a Color in the Round
Magic Loop Rocks!
Short Witch Warmers
Black Attack: Working with Dark Yarn
Cast-Ons: Keeping Count
I Love Cable Cast-On
Swatch Wars
(Kitty Helping)