Disappearing Loop Cast On
The disappearing loop cast on creates a closed centre that opens out into a circle of stitches — the standard cast on for top-down hats, mittens, and any project that begins at a single point and grows outward.
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Setup
Make a large loop with the yarn, holding the tail and working yarn together. Use a crochet hook to pull the working yarn through the loop and onto a DPN as the first stitch. Repeat to cast on the desired number of stitches around the loop.
Closing the centre
After casting on, distribute the stitches across DPNs (or onto a magic-loop circular). Knit the first round. Pull the tail tight to close the centre loop. The result is a closed, dense centre with no visible hole.
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Best uses
Top-down hats, mittens worked from the cuff opening, doilies, circular shawls, and any project with a "navel" centre.
Compared to other circular cast ons
Stretchier than the magic ring (crochet-style) cast on, with no visible centre hole when pulled tight. The standard choice for top-down accessories in the Western tradition.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DPN | double-pointed needle |
| CO | cast on |
Tips
- Cast on over a 5–7 cm tail loop for easy manipulation.
- Pull the tail tight after the first round — the centre should close completely.
- For a decorative open centre, pull the tail less tight and let a small hole show.
In depth
The disappearing loop cast on solves the problem of starting a top-down circular project at a single point. The cast-on stitches sit around a small loop of yarn that pulls closed at the centre, eliminating the visible hole that would otherwise interrupt the design.