Some patterns call for a provisional cast on, where you use waste yarn to cast on for your project. At the end, you “unzip” those stitches, allowing you to graft both ends together, or knit from the live stitches if you prefer.
Here’s how to start your project with this technique:
In addition to you working yarn, you’ll need a small amount of smooth waste yarn and a crochet hook that is similar in size to the needles you’ll be using (note: some knitters prefer to use a hook size that is slightly larger).
Start by knotting the end of your waste yarn. Then create a slip stitch on your hook. Crochet a chain stitch that is approximately 6 stitches longer than the number of stitches you need for your cast on.
Chain stitches have a distinct front and back: the front looks like v’s and the back looks like little bumps. Here’s how to tell them apart:
Insert your knitting needle into the back of the third chain stitch from the beginning of the chain.
Yarn over with your project yarn, and pull the yarn through the chain stitch. Repeat this process until you have the correct number of stitches on your knitting needle.
You can now begin knitting your project. When it’s time to remove the provisional cast on, gently rip it out to expose the live stitches, beginning at the non-knotted end.
At this point, you can either pick the stitches up with your needles to continue knitting or graft both ends together.
For this tutorial, we used our Purl Diver Club colorway Sunflower of the Sea, dyed exclusively for us by Lorna’s Laces. This color is inspired by the Orange Tube Anemone, an alien-looking sea creature with over 200 tentacles.
Are you a member of our Purl Diver Club? Subscribers get all sorts of great perks with each package – a nail file was included with this shipment to keep pesky rough nail edges from snagging your knitting.
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The post How to Do a Provisional Crochet Cast On appeared first on A Good Yarn Sarasota.
