Ocker’s Circular Cast-On.
Make a loop near the yarn end. (I have the tail under the loop here, but I don’t think this is vital.)
Using a crochet hook, *chain one into the loop with the working yarn. (The first chain looks the worst, having no firm structure yet, but only temporarily.)
Chain one into the new chain stitch. Leave the stitch on the crochet hook and continue.*
Repeat * to * until you have the number of stitches you need.
Transfer stitches to DPNs (or another knitting needle as called fro by whatever you’re working on; sometimes I use this cast-on as a really short/gathered cast-on for flat knitting, and in those cases, the pattern instructions will call for you to work flat). Incidentally, this step can be made much easier if you’ve got crochet hooks that are built like a straight smooth stick, with no ergonomics or ornamentation—you can just slide the stitches off the non-hooked end to transfer to the relevant needle.
Once that’s done, pull the tail drawstring-style (be kind of gentle with a delicate yarn) to draw the center together, and you’ve got a nice beginning for work from the center out!
(I’m going to pull mine apart. You may be able to see why. It’s completely unfinished yarn, but it’s been on the bobbin so long the twist is pretty inert.)
