Beyond Toes: Knitting Adventures With Judy's Magic Cast-On [Paperback]

Judy Becker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2011

Ever wonder if Judy's Magic Cast-On could be used outside of socks? Judy Becker shows five new ways to use JMCO. Twenty-three patterns from Judy Becker and twenty-one other designers showcase each clearly illustrated technique. Adventurous knitters will find fun projects and a treasure map to explore.

Designers include Cat Bordhi, Sivia Harding, JC Briar, Janel Laidman, Deb Barnhill, Lorilee Beltman, Stephen Houghton, Joan Schrouder, Jeny Staiman, Samantha Roshak, and more!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Judy Becker revolutionized how stitches are cast on for toe-up socks; with Beyond Toes, she may revolutionize how stitches are cast on for just about everything else.
--- Ann Budd, author of Sock Knitting Master Class



When it came time for me to write a book on toe-up socks, the only cast-on I considered was Judy's Magic Cast-On. I use it all the time, and not just for socks. Beyond Toes will bring this cast-on into a whole new light by demonstrating the flexibility of this unique method for everyone to experience and enjoy!
--- Melissa Morgan-Oakes, author of Teach Yourself Visually Circular Knitting



Judy's Magic Cast-On has been my "go to" technique for socks for years. Beyond Toes is a wonderful next step: further refinements on the techniques and a collection of delightfully creative patterns that use them.
- Wendy Johnson, author of Wendy Knits Lace: Essential Techniques and Patterns for Irresistible Everyday Lace

[Beyond Toes is a] beautiful book containing a delicious selection of enticing projects from some of the most exciting knitters of our time. Sampling these patterns will not only introduce you to Judy s most liberating cast-on method but a number of other exciting techniques and styles of knitting that you will wonder how you ever managed without!
--- Lucy Neatby, author of Cool Socks Warm Feet, Cool Knitters Finish in Style, and the Learn with Lucy DVD series

For knitters in search of adventure, Beyond Toes is just the ticket! Each of the eclectic designs is a tempting destination. Knits to cover heads, toes, and all points in between provide exotic ports of call. Using Judy's Magic Cast On as the point of origin, each designer brings his or her unique skill and style along on the voyage. These projects will inspire and challenge knitters of all kinds with their fresh perspective and clever interpretations of the "Magic" of Judy
--- Mary Scott Huff, author of The New Stranded Colorwork

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Indigo Frog Press; 1st edition (September 30, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984461906
• ISBN-13: 978-0984461905
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars JMCO fantastic projects beside socks October 2, 2011

By nafoster

Format:Paperback

Judy's Magic Cast On (JMCO) is favored by many who knit socks from the toe up. This book shows that JMCO is truly an alternative when a pattern calls for a "provisional" cast on. The vest knit from the bottom builds a wonderful hem and the finishing is done at the beginning. The poncho, starts in the middle of the panel. The November Street shawl begins at the center back and works out to the sides. The pattern calls for knitting one side at a time, but a confident knitter can actually knit both sides at the same time. This book has beautiful photography and the patterns are interesting and most of them would make wonderful Christmas gifts. I highly recommend this book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Striking New Ways to Knit with Magic Cast-on October 11, 2011

By Bonnie Brody TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The magic cast-on method is usually associated with socks but this book takes it to a whole new dimension. The method itself uses two circular needles and Ms. Becker provides very clear and easy to follow directions. The illustrations are great and they walk the knitter through the magic cast-on with ease.

There are sections on hats, neckwear, mittens, socks, garments and wraps, bags and cozies, and comfort things.

In the hat section, head bumps is lovely. It is knit in bright blues, greens and purples. In the neckwear section, the magic cowl and wristlet is very feminine and lacy. Monica's seaman's scarf in a earth-toned brown is lacy and practical. The bobsled mittens look warm and pretty in a bright cobalt blue. The sock section does not disappoint. Spring fever socks are cabled and bobbled in a lovely shade of blue. In the garment section, the November street shawl is spectacularly knitted lace in a green/golden hue. Mokosh is a beautiful shawl in a striking shade of blue that would keep the chill off the wearer in any time of year.

The book ends with a nice section on references and abbreviations. There are also nice little bios about all the designers who contributed to this book.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You can teach an old knitter NEW tricks! November 19, 2011

By Joanna Daneman #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This is a great book for avid sock knitters, worth the price alone for "Judy's Magic Cast On" which is a variant of the two-needle figure 8 cast on but a PROVISIONAL one, meaning, you can release live stitches at the cast on and knit down in a different direction. There are a number of provisional cast on methods, each has their pros and cons --here's a new one and not terribly difficult, either. Other methods of casting on are given, including a few more new to me (an I cord cast on) and information on how to knit in two directions and how to do double knitting with the Magic Cast On (double knitting can make a tube, or a double fabric with only one two needles as in flat knitting--it's almost like magic in itself.)

The patterns include hats, wraps, bags, cowls, a few socks and some mittens. I particularly liked "Monica's Seaman's Scarf" (which is knit from the center in two directions) and the stuffed pig--an unusual knitted toy and always welcome for little kids. A "treasure map" takes you through the new techniques in an amusing manner.

This book is more worth it for the techniques than the patterns; I didn't find the patterns all that unusual, but the techniques used in them can be applied to other knitting, so they are good tutorials, even if the socks are nothing special. But applying those methods of cast on to your own sock designs can be useful. So the designs are good for application purposes. All in all, a book with new things for me to learn, and I've been knitting for decades. Recommended.