Provisional Cast-On Tutorial

A provisional cast-on keeps cast-on stitches "live" so that they can be knit later. It's a very useful technique when you're not sure what kind of edging you'll want or how long to make something. With a provisional cast-on, you can make these decisions at the end of a project, allowing you to respond to the actual garment. I made this tutorial to go with my 70's Ski Hat Project Journal, the provisional cast-on is used to make a cashmere lining for the hat.

There are a few ways to make a provisional cast-on. This is my favorite...

• With some smooth waste yarn and a crochet hook, chain a few more stitches than you will be casting on. Cut the tail and pull it through the last stitch.
  

Examining the chain, the front side is made up of V's.

The back of the chain has bumps in it. 

• Insert a knitting needle into each bump on the back of the chain, and pick up however many stitches you're casting on.

Then just knit!

• When you're ready to use the cast on stitches, thread a knitting needle through the right side of each stitch. It's like weaving - over a strand, under a strand...
  

•  Then remove the crocheted chain by untying the end and gently unraveling the whole chain.

You're ready to knit in the other direction!

Comments

[Coley]

So cool! This finally made sense to me!

Thanks for all the cool and useful tutorials!

[melissa]

i'm coming out of the woodwork on this one to say thanks! this is such a great blog (one i check out just about every day!) and truly love everything i find. very inspiring, beautiful, and handy!

[Heidi]

Hi, thanks for the tutorial. I have one question/problem; the first stitch that I pick up doesnt make a stitch, just a strand wich confuses me a little. Should i weave it in before i remove the crochet chain or what do i do?

Thank you!

[purlbee]

Hi Heidi,

I agree, the first stitch of the provisional cast on can be a little confusing! If you start by picking up the right "leg" of the first "V" and don't bother with what may feel like the first stitch (that loose strand you refer to), you should end up with the correct number of stitches.

It's so tricky to explain, so please let me know if this doesn't work for you, and I can try again!

Thanks for your question and good luck!

Whitney

[BERMD]

Dear Whitney,

Thanks so much for this. this is the best. BER

[beth]

i just sat thru about 10 different youtube videoS trying to figure out how to do this and beginning to feel totally incompetent! I read your instructions once and could do it. THANK YOU!

[Heather]

Just wanted to say thanks so much for posting this!! It's so helpful and the purlbee site is just so pretty and full of good stuff.
Thanks again :)
Heather

[Denise]

Hi Whitney,

I want to add my thanks for this very helpful posting! I also have a question: how do you thread the needle through purl stitches? I made a provisional cast-on for knit 2/purl 3 ribbing.

Thank you!
Denise

[purlbee]

Hi Denise,

You thread purl stitches the same way you do knit ones. Specifically, you find the right leg of the purl stitch and weave your needle under it. It's a little difficult to explain in words, but I hope this helps! Please let me know if you need more guidance, and I'd be happy to help!

Whitney

[Sonja]

Thank you for this tutorial. I would like to know if the row after picking up stitches from the crochet chain can only be a knit row, or if it's possible to have that first row consist of both knit and purl stitches. The pattern I am working calls for a provisional cast on followed by a row of knitting and purling (to begin a cable chart). Thanks for clarifying!

[purlbee]

Hi Sonja,

Yes, you can knit, purl or knit and purl the first row!

Thanks for asking!
Whitney