A new (to me) technique for casting on.

The German Twisted Cast On:

First stitch regular long tail cast on, then (the thumb really does all the work)
Under both strands on the thumb --do not go through the regular loop but go under both strands--
Push the needle through the loop dip the thumb way down kind of giggle it and hook the index finger yarn through the thumb loop.

This cast-on is also known as the German Twisted cast-on, the Old Norwegian cast-on, and the Twisted Half-Hitch cast-on, this is supposed to be a more "stretchy" and it is not as "curly" cast on. I will give it a try and see.

To see detailed instructions: http://knitting.about.com/library/bltgcaston.htm