Magic loop knitting
A long flexible circular cable divides a small circumference into two working halves.
Work the technique
Cast on an even count. Slide stitches to the middle of the cable, fold at the halfway point and pull out a cable loop. Place both sets on their needle tips, working yarn on the back set. Pull out the back tip to work the front stitches. Swap halves and repeat.
Try it on a sample
Use 32 stitches, split 16/16. Put a beginning marker at one junction; both halves together are one round.
Check and recover
A twisted join cannot be corrected by pulling the cable. Before joining, align all cast-on edges toward the inside. At the junction snug the second stitch gently to avoid a ladder.