lindas cast on

I thought I'd share these ideas with everyone since it is a problem oldies can get, too. Try casting on all the stitches onto two needles held side by side. Then slide one almost all the way out and divide the stitches between the two needles. Using a third needle begin working the stitches off the needle where the end of the yarn is. You are working back along the stitches in reverse order of the way they were cast on. Work all the stitches, moving to the ones on the first needle as you get to those stitches and at the same time dispersing the stitches onto three or four needles depending on your style. When you get to the end of the cast on row (actually the beginning if you get my meaning) join the row into a circle by using the cast on tail and the working yarn to pull it tight. You will have to close the tiny gap where the first row is not joined by using the cast on tail. Another way that takes a bit longer but always works is the use a waste yarn, cast on all the stitches onto a single needle then disperse onto three or four needles as you choose tying a knot with the cast on strand and the end of the strand you are working the stitches with. You can put this down on a flat surface to do it so you are very sure the stitches are not twisted. Tie the knot pulling the ends of the first and last needles together. Then using your working yarn begin your sock at the junction of any of the needles that are not the original beginning and end. Work the first row in plain knit, then switch to your rib, if any. The third way is to work the first few rows flat then go back later and seam them. Lastly, if it really drives you nuts do the sock toe up and that way you get to solve a whole new bunch of problems (-:How to start, what to do about the heel, how to bind off.