A provisional cast-on is a temporary cast-on method that holds onto live stitches so that they can be knit into later. Designed to be removable, you cast on using waste yarn or knotting cord.
Here we'll show you WHEN to use it, and HOW to do it.
WHEN to use it:
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you want the two short ends of our scarves to look the same.
Pick up live stitches and bind off to match the other edge exactly.
(e.g., see our Polka Dot Scarf)
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you want an utterly seamless construction.
Graft the last row worked to the provisional beginning.
(e.g., see our Mohair Bias Loop)
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you want to avoid the ‘banana curve’ of a scarf or wrap worked lengthwise.
Match the tension of your bind-off edge with your cast-on edge.
(e.g., see our Striped Linen Stitch Scarf & Wrap
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you want to create a hem, a closed welt, a doubled cuff, or a casing for elastic.
Fold up the provisional cast-on edge and knit those stitches together with the stitches on the needle.
(e.g., our Simple Straight Skirt or Thinking Cap.
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you want stitch patterns to have a distinct right-side-up and upside-down.
Work lace and colorwork scarves in two halves and graft them together at the center so both ends are the same way up in the wearing
(e.g., Tea Leaf Lace Scarf & Wrap.
HOW to do it:
You’ll need a crochet hook, locking stitch marker, knitting needle, waste yarn or knotting cord (choose a firm cotton—wool or alpaca might be hard to unravel and leave fluff behind). We recommend using a smooth, firm yarn that’s in a contrasting color—easy to see and unzip from your live stitches.
For many of our Churchmouse patterns, we use one of two favorite provisional cast-on techniques.
1. Provisional Cast-On: Knit into Back of Chain
In this method, you will pick up and knit stitches into the back of a crochet chain with the working yarn, resulting in a completed row of stitches. To open up your chain and make it easier to see and work with, try using a crochet hook that’s a size or two larger than your project’s recommended needle size.
With waste yarn (or knotting cord) and crochet hook, chain desired number of stitches. (We recommend you chain a few extras so if you miss one, you won’t have to start all over again.) Clip locking stitch marker into final chain and cut waste yarn.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Take a good look at your chain. It has a flat side with a series of Vs that look like a typical knitted bind-off edge (Fig. 1). Flip the chain over and notice a line of bumps along the back of the chain—they look a little like the ridges along the spine of a dinosaur (Fig. 2). They are the little loops you’ll knit into.
With working yarn—leaving desired length of tail and beginning in the first stitch you chained (not the end with your locking marker)—knit into the back bumps of your chain for desired number of cast-on stitches.
Note: When the first row you knitted into your chain is released from the chain, it will not appear as a knit or purl.
When the time comes to remove this provisional cast-on, take out the locking stitch marker and unzip (or unravel) the chain. Place the live loops of exposed stitches onto your needle and proceed as your pattern instructs you.
This method of provisional cast-on is used in the Easy Folded Poncho, Mohair Bias Loop, Two-Tone Twill Scarf, Bias ‘Before & After’ Scarf, and Tea Leaf Lace Scarf & Wrap patterns.
2. Provisional Cast-On: Crocheted Over Needle
In this method, you will crochet stitches over the working needle with waste yarn. Unlike the ‘knit into back of chain’ method, this method does not result in a completed row of stitches in the working yarn.
Make a slip knot with waste yarn and place loop onto crochet hook. Hold needle and waste in left hand and crochet hook in right. Form an X with left-pointing hook on top of right-pointing needle and yarn behind needle—the knitting needle is sandwiched between hook and yarn.
* Using crochet hook, chain 1, pulling yarn through loop on hook and catching the needle under the chain. Bring yarn back behind needle, ready to repeat. *
Repeat * * to desired number of stitches. Clip locking stitch marker or coilless safety pin into last chain on hook. Remove hook and cut waste yarn.
When the time comes to remove this provisional cast-on, take out the locking stitch marker and unzip (or unravel) the chain, placing stitches (one at a time and with correct orientation) onto needle. Proceed as pattern instructs you.
This method of provisional cast-on is used in the Striped Linen Stitch Scarf & Wrap and Thinking Cap patterns.