Emily Explains: Provisional Cast On

Have you been wanting to learn a provisional cast on? Today, I’m going to explain my preferred method. Truthfully, it’s the only method I know, but I still think it’s pretty great!

A provisional cast on uses waste yarn – slippery and brightly colored is best – that is later removed to reveal live stitches. These stitches can then be placed on a needle and used to do whatever you want…knit in the opposite direction, add a ribbing or nice finish, kitchener together with the other end of your knitting, to name a few. It’s especially useful when you aren’t sure what kind of edging you want or how long to make a piece.

Before you start, you’ll want to grab some yarn, needles and a crochet hook. I like to use a hook that’s large enough to make a loose chain. I also typically add a few more chains than number of stitches called for in the cast on. Follow along with video to see how it’s done!

Here are some projects that a provisional cast on could be useful for…

Kurama: use a provisional cast on and graft the beginning and end instead so you don’t have a seam.

Merle: use a provisional cast on to start the collar for an easy way to knit in both directions

Blish: provisional is the perfect cast on if you want to wait and decide on the length or style neckline for this top-down knit

Do you know a different way to do a provisional cast on? Feel free to share in the comments below!