PURL Magazine | PURL #1 - Cast On, Autumn 2026

It's here! The first issue of PURL is all about beginnings and casting on. You'll find articles and instructions on numerous cast ons, with their benefits and disadvantages explained so you can pick the right one for your project. Need a stretchy cast on for ribbing? Kate Atherley has you covered. What about a double-sided cast on for toe-up socks? Not only does Tanis Lavallée compare four cast on options, but she also has an adorable toe up sock pattern for you to practice with.

Long tail cast on is commonly used, but how much do you know about the structure? Alissa Barton explains what happens during this family of cast ons, while Samantha Brunson and Denise Bayron look at getting just the right amount of tail remaining and making the cast on not too tight, respectively. And Patty Lyons provides tips and tricks for a neater cast on edge for long tail and other cast ons.

Also featured are provisional cast-on options from our beloved shop knitting instructor, Julia Farwell-Clay, offering useful techniques for those times when you want to keep your cast-on stitches live and ready to work later.

You’ll also find articles that explore the concept of casting on as the start of something, from planning a project from Tina Tse to mindful stretching to prepare for a new project from Liza Laird. You’ll also get a look at historical precursors to knitting from Sara Temme, aka The Textile Anthropologist and a historical look at the names of cast ons from Lisa Toppin. Photo tutorials for all the cast ons in the issue are included. 

This jam-packed issue has so much more inside. Don't miss out on this issue!