What is a provisional cast-on?

A provisional cast-on is any method for starting a piece of knitting that leaves the first row of stitches 'live'. Rather than having a cast-on row with a finished edge, a provisional cast-on means that you can pick up the stitches in the first row later and use them the way you would any other row of live stitches anywhere else in your knitting project.

When to use it

Because a provisional cast-on creates a row of 'live' stitches, you can go back to your first row and use those stitches to do a number of different techniques that require stitches to be on the working needle.

This is very helpful when you need to graft the cast-on edge to another row, if you need to knit in the opposite direction from the cast-on, or if you are knitting something like a folded hem where you need to connect the cast-on edge to a row further up your project.

Doodle patterns that use this technique

Infinity Cowls are one of the most common places that Pacific Knit Co. patterns feature a provisional cast on. Other places where you would see this are the Base Doodle Reversible Cowl and in our upcoming Base Doodle Reversible Hat.

 

INSTRUCTIONS

There are many ways to create a provisional cast-on. No one way is 'best', it's just up to individual preference which way works best and feels easiest for you. The method shown here is MY go-to provisional cast-on [more methods coming soon!]

Helpful hint: If you are using waste yarn as part of your provisional cast-on, it is helpful to choose one that is synthetic or superwash, so that it does not stick to your project yarn. 

Crochet Daisy Chain

In this method, you will use a crochet daisy chain to hold your first row of stitches.

MATERIALS

Everything you need for your knitting project + waste yarn and a crochet hook.

CAST-ON

Step 1: With your waste yarn, make the crochet daisy chain, adding a few extra stitches more than you need for your cast-on. Pull the yarn tail through the last stitch to keep the chain from coming undone. 

Step 2: With your knitting needle and your project yarn, pick up and knit one stitch into each ridge on the back of the crochet chain (the side that looks like purl ridges, not the side that looks like knit stitches) until you have the number of stitches you need on your needle. 

Note: Start picking up stitches on the 2nd stitch of your daisy chain, starting from the "cast on" end.

Tie a knot in the tail at the END of your Daisy Chain, so you know which end is which, because this will be helpful when un-doing the provisional cast-on later. You'll want to begin unraveling from this end when you go back to pick up the stitches.

 

Step 3: Start knitting! You can simply either turn your work, or join to knit in the round as you normally would, based on your pattern instructions. The crochet chain and your provisional row will be there waiting for you when you need them.

 

Removing the Provisional Cast-on

To watch my quick video reel, see Removing a Provisional Cast-On. 

Step 1: Take the tail from the end of your daisy chain (the end with the knot marker) and pull it back out of the last loop on the daisy chain. 

Step 2: Start to unravel the daisy chain, picking up each knit stitch as you pull the waste yarn out, and put it on your knitting needle. 

Step 3: Once you've pulled out all the crochet stitches and put all the knit stitches back on your needle, you're ready to start knitting in the other direction (or your stitches are ready to graft, depending on your project). 

 

Happy Doodling!

 

Blog co-written by Jamie Lomax and Grey Lundy.