Provisional Cast On: One-Step Method
A Provisional Cast On, whether a One-Step or a Two-Step Method, keeps cast-on stitches “live” so you can knit them 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. A Provisional Cast On allows you to make these decisions when you have the actual finished piece to look at. A Provisional Cast On is also sometimes used to create underarm stitches in top-down sweaters or hems in bottom-up ones. Really, there are tons of fabulous uses of this cast on… You’ll see!
The video below demonstrates a Provisional Cast On, One-Step method, which casts stitches directly onto the needle. (The Two-Step Method, aka a Crochet Chain Provisional Cast On, has you first crochet a chain and then pick up stitches from that chain.) The Provisional Cast On, One-Step Method is nice and efficient, and is also the one we tend to use most often nowadays!
Here’s our Provisional Cast On, One-Step Method tutorial where we show you how we do it!
Click To See Video Transcript
Hi, this is Whitney from Purl Soho. I’m going to demonstrate how to work a Provisional Cast On. When you use a Provisional Cast On, you’re basically putting your first row or round of stitches on hold so that later you can go back and use them. There are a couple of ways to work a provisional cast on, but the version I’ll demonstrate here is what we call the one-step method. With this method, you cast directly onto your needles, and like it sounds, we think this is the simplest way to do a Provisional Cast On.
So, to get started, you’ll need some smooth scrap yarn similar in weight to the main yarn of your project, a crochet hook appropriate in size for the scrap yarn, and the knitting needles required for the pattern you’re working. Okay, let’s get started.
Begin with a slip knot on the crochet hook. You don’t need to leave too much of a tail here. And you don’t want to be too tight. Now grab your knitting needle in your left hand and hang on to the tail just to keep it out of the way. Cross the crochet hook in front of the knitting needle and hold on to it with your left hand. With your right hand, bring the yarn behind the knitting needle and wrap it to the front of the crochet hook. Use the hook to pull the yarn through the slip knot. You’ve cast one stitch onto your knitting needle.
Let’s do that again. Cross the crochet hook in front of the knitting needle, bring the yarn behind, then around to the front, and use the crochet hook to pull the yarn through the loop.
Keeping the loop on the crochet hook nice and loose, repeat these steps until you have the right number of stitches for your project. Make sure not to cast on too tight or it will be tricky to work the first round. Okay, I’m going to cast on the number of stitches I need and I’ll be back to show you the next step.
Okay, once you’ve cast on all the stitches you need, use the crochet hook to chain a few stitches at the end here, just a few simple crochet chain stitches.
Then you can cut your yarn and pull your tail through. And that is your provisional cast on. At this point, you’ll want to refer back to your pattern because now you’ll be joining the main yarn and beginning to knit. Some patterns, like our dumpling bag for example, might ask you to leave a certain length tail when you join the main yarn, so be sure to check that out.
To begin knitting, you grab your main yarn and starting at the chain end of the cast on, knit directly into the stitches on the needle, just like you normally would knit into your cast-on row. Just pretend that the scrap yarn stitches are a regular cast on and knit away until you reach the end of your stitches.
Now, let’s say that your pattern has you knit all the cast-on stitches and then join to work in the round. In that case, at the end of the first row, you join as you normally would by first making sure the stitches aren’t twisted around the needle, then placing a marker for the end of round, then knitting the first stitch of the round.
Simple. You are ready to go.
So now I’ve knit my piece and I’m finally ready to use the cast on stitches. To do that, we have to remove the scrap yarn and get the live stitches safely onto our needles. So first turn your work so the cast on stitches are at the top and find the end of the round. Then with your working needle pick up the right side of the first main yarn stitch, which is right here.
Then continue like you’re weaving over a strand and under a strand, picking up the right leg of each stitch in that first round. Over a leg and under a leg until you have picked up all of the stitches in the round.
Okay, I’ve gotten all of the stitches onto my needles, and I’ve double checked that I have the right number of stitches. And so the next thing to do is to get this scrap yarn off of my piece. So to do that, you gently pull the last stitch of your chain, you undo that, and you start pulling, like this. And it should just do that. unravel right from your stitches all the way around like this, kind of like magic. It’s just coming right out and what you’re left with on your needles are live stitches all ready to go. So sometimes this means that what you’re going to do is fold your work in and make a hem, or maybe you’re adding an edge that you weren’t sure about before you started the piece, or for things like bags and the toes of socks, maybe you’re dividing the stitches in half and closing the bottom with either Kitchener Stitch or a 3-Needle Bind Off.
Well, whatever you’re doing next, that’s it. That is a One-Step Provisional Cast On, very handy, and nothing to be scared about.
PROVISIONAL CAST-ON, ONE-STEP METHOD: STEP-BY-STEP
MATERIALS + TOOLS
Before you get started with the provisional cast on, make sure you have the following:
- Smooth scrap yarn similar in weight to the main yarn of your project
- A crochet hook, appropriate in size for the scrap yarn
- The knitting needles required for the pattern you’re working
PROVISIONAL CAST ON: CAST ON
To begin the provisional cast on, make a slip knot on the crochet hook (you don’t need to leave much of a tail here and you don’t want it to be too tight). Place your knitting needle in your left hand, and with the same hand, hang onto the tail of the slip knot to keep it out of the way.
Next, cross the crochet hook in front of the knitting needle, and hold onto it with your left hand. With your right hand, bring the yarn behind the knitting needle and wrap it around to the front of the crochet hook…
…then use the hook to pull the yarn through the slip knot. You’ve cast one stitch onto your knitting needle!
Keeping the loop on the crochet hook nice and loose, repeat these steps until you have the right number of stitches for your project. Once you’ve provisionally cast on all the stitches you need, use the crochet hook to chain a few stitches, pull a little loop, and cut the yarn. You’ve done the provisional cast on… What next?
PROVISIONAL CAST ON: JOIN MAIN YARN
At this point, you’ll be joining the main yarn and beginning to knit. Some patterns, like our Dumpling Bag, for example, might ask you to leave a certain-length tail when you join the main yarn, so it’s a good time to refer back to your pattern to check. To begin knitting, simply grab your main yarn, and starting at the provisional cast on chain end, knit directly into the stitches on the needle. Just pretend that the scrap yarn stitches are regular cast-on stitches and knit away to the end of the row!
PROVISIONAL CAST ON: WORKING IN THE ROUND
If, at the end of the first row, your pattern has you join to work in the round, join as you normally would by first making sure the stitches aren’t twisted around the needle. Place a marker for the end of round, and then knit the first stitch of the round. Simple, you’re ready to go!
PROVISIONAL CAST ON: REMOVE THE CAST ON
When you’re finally ready to use the provisionally cast-on stitches, you’ll need to remove the scrap yarn and get the live stitches safely onto a needle. First, turn your work so the cast-on stitches are at the top. Find the end of the round and with your working needle, pick up the right side of the first main-yarn stitch, right below the scrap yarn… Continue like you’re weaving, over a strand, under a strand, picking up the right side of each stitch all the way to the end of the round or row.
Double check that you have the right number of stitches on your needles, and then gently un-pick the tail of the provisional cast on chain you made and pull. This will unravel the scrap yarn from your work until you are left with only live stitches on your needles, ready to work in the other direction.
What happens next depends on your pattern, whether it’s folding the piece to create a hem, adding a special edging, or for things like bags and the toes of socks, dividing the stitches in half and closing the bottom with either Kitchener Stitch or a 3-Needle Bind Off. Don’t worry, your pattern will tell you!
And that’s it… A One-Step Provisional Cast On! Very handy and nothing to be scared about!
Learn to make our easy Dumpling Bag, a free knitting pattern made with our exquisitely beautiful Blackbird Linen, to put the Provisional Cast-On: One Step Method into action!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
This is so helpful! Love your tutorials!
Thanks for this! Do I use scrap yarn or the working yarn?
Hi Catherine,
Thank you for the great question! You will use the working yarn for this cast on.
Feel free to write back if you have anymore questions!
Good Luck!
Jake
I’m a little bit confused about whether to use working yarn or scrap yarn for this type of cast-on. The video shows that the yarn is cut at the end after a few crochet chains are made. Wouldn’t that mean this method used scrap yarn? And the next (first) row knit would be with the working yarn?
Don’t want to mess this one up!
Hi Emily!
I am so glad you wrote in and asked about this.
Typically, a provisional cast on is meant to be temporary, and is done with scrap yarn. Using a contrasting color for the temporary cast on makes it easier to differentiate between the cast on and the first row or round of work when it comes time to take the cast on out.
I hope this is helpful!
Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
Laura
Hi Catherine and Emily,
Laura’s clarification is correct. The cast on should be done with a contrasting colored scrap yarn and then you can begin knitting with the main yarn.
This was my mistake, I’m terribly sorry for any confusion!
Good luck and feel free to respond with any future questions!
Jake
Thank you for the tutorial. After you cut the provisional cast on, do you then cast on the usual way? I would appreciate learning the next step in this process. Thank you, Eileen
Hi Eileen,
Thank you for the comment! The beauty of this cast on is once you complete, it as seen in the video, you can just start knitting your pattern with your main yarn! Since this is a one step cast on it puts the stitches already on the needle as opposed to the two-step provisional cast on, in which a crochet chain is completed separately and then the stitches are picked up with a knitting needle. If you would like to view the difference between these methods you can do so here; https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2007/12/10/provisional-cast-on/
I hope that helps clarify these cast on’s and feel free to write back if you have anymore questions!
Good Luck!
Jake
Hihi as you have cut off the yarn at the end of this method, how do I continue knitting ? I mean there’s no yarn connected to the stitches? Confused…
Hi Grace!
Thanks for writing in! After casting on with a contrasting color waste yarn, you turn your work and join your new yarn to knit the first row.
I hope the helps!
Carly
Just watched a few of your videos. You have a nice easy way of explaining how to do something which I very much appreciate.
I’m 62 and have been knitting since I was around 6. The problem is that my having MS has caused me forget how to do some very simple things that would’ve just come naturally a few years ago. So thank you very much. I get upset with myself when this happens and your nice relaxed voice is very calming.
I have never used the Provisional Cast on, so would like to know the advantage of using this. Why do you cut the yarn off instead of continuing knitting. Very interesting.
Thank you, Shirley
Hi Shirley,
Thanks for the comment! This is a good cast on when you are making a reversible piece that needs to be seamed at the end. The cast on sets up the stitches so you can use a kitchener stitch to get a seamless and reversible join!
I hope this answers your question and let us know if there’s anything else your curious about!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
This is a provisional cast-on, which means that you will take this cast-on out once you’re done knitting with your actual yarn and you will have live stitches to work from the other way. One reason this might be useful is if you want to make a symmetrical scarf but you aren’t sure how long you want it to be. Using this cast-on, you can start in the middle and work towards one end, then pull out the cast-on and pick up those stitches to work the other way. Have fun!
I’m starting a blanket and I was hoping you could clarify something about the provisional cast on. In my mind, you always just throw away the yarn you used for the cast on right? My pattern says “Using MC, provisionally CO 221 sts” and then it has a set up row with MC. The next 2 rows are a CC. Then it goes back to 2 rows of MC.
Is there ever a time you don’t remove the provisional cast on? I just don’t see the point of using good yarn if you’re just going to throw it away. I hope I explained it so its not too confusing. Thanks.
Good distinction! For the creation of the chain that you use for provisional cast on, you can always use scrap or throw-away yarn. They just are making sure you use the Main Color to actually create the stitches through the chain. It seems like your pattern alternates colors every two rows, therefore the cast on would count as one row in MC and then the set up row would be the second.
Provisional cast on is almost always used when you intend to remove the chain and graft the stitches together. Don’t use the good yarn on the chain, just when you’re creating the stitches! Happy knitting! -Alyson
Thank you for responding so quickly. I have a follow up question for you. I originally did the 1 step provisional cast on so I am only ending up with 1 row if MC. Does this mean I need to do the 2 step process or am I just missing something with the 1 step?
Hello again Jess!
The creation of the cast on stitches counts as the first row of MC. The actual first row written in pattern is really the second row of MC that you’re working. Since you’re using this technique to graft the edges together, it will appear as two rows unlike a normal cast on edge that clearly looks like a foundation row. Does that make sense? Hope this helps! -Alyson
My project is lace weight. What weight of yarn should I use for cast on? Could I use a smooth Dk weight or should it be similar to the project’s weight? I have no lace weight scraps and hate to purchase yarn specifically for waste yarn,
Thnx, Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing in! I generally use yarn of a similar or slightly larger weight than my project. If you are using a lace weight, you could certainly use a fingering weight. A DK yarn might be a touch too big for lace weight but you can certainly give it a try on a swatch and see how it works for you!
Best,
Cassy
Jess, I have damaged a tendon in my left thumb, so as a right-handed person I can’t extend my thumb high enough to do long-tail cast on. I crochet, so I was attracted to this method. When you do it with your working yarn and the same size hook as your needle, intending to keep it on the work, it is sometimes called “crochet cable cast on”. I find it is attractive, looks the same on both sides, is plenty stretchy, remains stable, and – a bonus – if you use it for the hem of a bottom-up garment for kids, it is easy to remove later to add length as the child grows. 🙂
How would you suggest connecting in the round using this cast on? Beginning a cowl “with MC, CO 96 sts. Join round. knit first round.” Because all of this is with the MC, do I cut off yarn before I connect round? Is it better to use 2-step when working in the round?
Hello Melissa!
This method of cast on is best used when you are intending on grafting together the edge to another after that piece is complete. The color of the crochet chain you’re creating won’t matter, but you’ll want to make sure that you pick up the stitches from the chain with your MC yarn. If your pattern has stripes in it, keep in mind that there won’t be a visible row of cast on stitches in addition to your first knit round.
If you would like any further help on your pattern and you’re in the NYC area, feel free to stop by our shop and ask one of our knitting experts! Thanks for writing in! -Alyson
Alyson,
Thank you for your response. And, I would like to take this opportunity to say that while visiting NYC this summer from down south, I had a lovely visit at Purl Soho. It was so fun to be in the store.
I am going to refine my question. Can I use the 1-step provisional cast on for something in the round? Because I “cut” the working yarn, how do I join the round?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Hello Melissa!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed your visit at our NYC shop! Are you saying that you created the crochet chain with scrap yarn, then used your real project yarn to pick up the stitches and then cut the working yarn?
There’s no need to cut the working yarn, you can simply continue using it to begin knitting your project. Once you have all the picked up stitches on your needle, that will act as the cast on round. Simply bring the stitches around in a circle formation and knit the first stitch you picked up to complete the round. Make sure not to twist the stitches!
Hope this helps! Happy knitting! -Alyson
I got the cast on part. Thank-you. I ran into trouble trying to remove the provisional cast on and place stitches on a dp needle to continue with Kitchener seaming. Is there another video or tutorial?
Hello Judi!
We’re glad the cast on worked out for you! Are you requesting a tutorial showing how to remove the crochet chain created during the provisional cast on? We don’t have one in the works at the moment, but putting it on the double pointed needle is a wonderful idea! Whatever it takes to make sure you don’t drop a stitch during the step will work! Best of luck completing the pattern! -Alyson
Hi, am I missing something at the end of this tutorial? I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do after I have cut the yarn, in order to start knitting….do I tie the skein of yarn back on to begin knitting? Or do I just begin knitting and not cut at all? If so, how do I use these stitches again later? I’m finding this very confusing! J
Hi Jayme Street.
Thanks for writing in.
Once you’ve cut the yarn you have your scrap yarn stitches already on the needle, so you can just grab your working yarn and begin knitting across them. Once you’ve gotten to the point where you’d like to take out the scrap yarn stitches, simply pull the end of the scrap yarn and those temporary scrap yarn stitches will unravel leaving live stitches working yarn stitches.
I hope this helps! Please don’t hesitate to write us back though if you have any questions.
Laura
Hi all,
I am also confused about how to use this 1 step provisional cast on to start patterns that are knit in the round. I am trying to start your Reversible Cowl pattern.
If you cut the scrap yarn after casting on your 156 provisional stitches, then how do you get the stitches into the round? If I start knitting my first official row of the pattern the stitches will not be connected until the second pass. Is this correct? Or can you not use the 1 step provisional cast on for knitting in the round?
Thanks
Simone
Hello Simone!
You can use this technique for knitting in the round, you’ll simply need to join the stitches as you start knitting with the working yarn. That means you’ll need to close the gap and join in the round starting on the first stitch of your first row.
Please let me know if that doesn’t make sense! Best of luck! -Alyson
How do you fasten the main yarn when you begin knitting your first row? The first stitch seems to just hang there and doesn’t seem right. Thanks for such a great tutorial!
Hi Lynne,
So sorry for the late response! When fastening the main yarn it is perfectly fine if the stitch is a little wonky. After pulling out your provisional cast on, you will be able to tighten this stitch up when weaving in the ends. Thanks for writing in!
Best,
Adam
When removing the scrap yarn, from which end do I pull – the end from which I began with the scrap yarn or the end from which I began using my working yarn? Also, I’m confused about the directions for joining in the round using the initial round of working yarn. Wouldn’t you join right after you’ve completed knitting on your first row of working yarn?
Hello Fern,
Thanks for writing in!
1. You will be removing the scrap yarn from where you put your first provisional cast-on stitch.
2. When joining in the round, you will have all your provisional stitches on the circular needle and will not join them. Joining in the round starts after the first round of using your main yarn.
I hope this helps you! Good luck and happy knitting!
Best,
Adam
My pattern instructs to cast on with waste yarn, then break the waste yarn and join one strand of the main yarn. Then continue cast on by knitting 5 rows. Then remove the waste yarn.
Is this the provisional cast on (which I have never tried) or does the pattern mean to just cast on with the waste yarn alone? I am so confused!
Hello Katherine,
Thank you for reaching out! Provisional cast ons are typically cast on with scrap yarn and then you knit into the scrap yarn with your working yarn. This allows you to take out your scrap yarn to access your live stitches.
I hope this answers your question, but please let us know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
Good morning,
I am confused as to how you connect your main yarn to the provisional without it coming undone again, is there any fancy way of doing it or do you just start knitting then weave the ends after?
Thanks.
Hello, Becca!
Thank you for writing in! To knit in the round using a provisional cast on you don’t need to cut the working yarn, you can simply continue using it to begin knitting your project. Once you have all the picked up stitches on your needle, that will act as the cast on round. Bring the stitches around in a circle formation and knit the first stitch you picked up to complete the round. So, you will have all your provisional stitches on the circular needle and will not join them. Joining in the round starts after the first round of using your main yarn. Remember to make sure not to twist the stitches! After you pull out your provisional cast on, you will be able to tighten up your connecting stitch when you weave in the ends.
Please let us know if you have further questions!
Best,
Kumeko
Confused by the One-step provisional…do I use this method by casting on with a waste yarn or working yarn. It looks like a good working row once I have finished the cast on process.
Hi Janice,
Thank you for writing in! The one-step method for provisional cast on is best when done with some waste yarn of a similar weight. You want to use a contrast color because you’ll end up removing the provisional cast on later to graft, knit down/up, etc. It’s easier to see this way. Thanks again for writing in and let us know if you have any more questions!
-Adam
I can’t see a video here on either browser I have tried. Is this an issue on my end or has the video been taken down?
Hello there,
Thank you for alerting us. We are currently experiencing some technical difficulties with the site, but are working our hardest to resolve all the issues. Hang in there and stay tuned!
-Adam
Hi
Please help me! I’m so confused as to how to use the provisional cast on. I’m knitting a hat in the round and I’ve knitted the body of the hat, I’m getting confused when it comes to knitting the brim. This is where I use the provisional cast on but I’m not sure how it works. Below I have written the first three rows of my pattern for the brim but I’m not sure how to knit this up. Is this work seperate from the body of the hat or am I joining the provisional cast on to the body of the hat? I hope this makes sense!!
(THIS IS HOW THE PATTERN STARTS FOR THE BRIM OF MY HAT)
Using one of the dpns, a crochet hook and scrap yarn
provisionally CO 21 sts.
Row 1: K4, p2, k4, [p1, k1] twice, p1, k3, p2, sl1pw wyib, k1H,
psso, turn.
Rows 2 and 4: Sl1pw wyif, k2, p4, [k1, p1] twice, k1, p3, k2,
p4.
Row 3: K4, p2, k4, [p1, k1] twice, p1, k3, p2, sl1pw wyib,
k2togH,
Obviously the pattern goes on but I’m really confused and annoyed because I can’t figure out how to do this!
Thanks
Hi Carol,
Thanks for writing and don’t worry! We will try to figure this out. A provisional cast on is a removable crochet chain that allows you to keep your cast on stitches “live”. You use it when you need to pick up your cast on and knit downward or need to graft one piece to another. This second option always involves two pieces and I think this is your situation. I would read ahead in your pattern and see what they intend for you to do with the two separate pieces. If you need help with the actual technique of provisional cast on, then let me know what you are having trouble with and I’d be glad to help!
-Adam
Hi Purl Soho Peeps!
I’m knitting the Reversible Cowl and I’ve done the provisional cast on with Color B. From reading the feed it’s my understanding I need to cut the scrap yarn I’ve done the provisional cast on with and join the yarn and starting knitting. My question is do I start knitting with Color A or Color B like the patterns says? The patterns says to place marker and join knitting in the round until piece measure 1/2 inch from cast on edge. It doesn’t say to switch colors now. Just wanted to make sure that is correct. That I’m joining and knitting with Color B like the patterns says.
Thank you!
Samantha
Hi Samantha,
Thanks for writing in! I think that I understand where the confusion is. You will be using scarp yarn to crochet the chain for the provisional cast-on and then begin with color B into this crochet chain. You will join in the round and place the stitch marker. You then continue on with color B and knit until the piece measures 1/2 inch from the cast on edge and then purl 1 round and knit 1 round. You will then cut Color B and join Color A.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
I love this pattern but I am no good at using 3-4 double pointed needle, can anybody tell me if this item can be knitted with just circular needle?
Hi Eva,
Thanks for writing in! Can you tell me which pattern you are referring to?
I look forward to hearing back from you!
Cassy
I love your one-step method. Simple and quick. Thanks so much! 😀
Hi, this is so helpful, I’m about to join a KAL and need to use this stitch. Quick question: does my crochet hook need to be the same size as my knitting needle?
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the nice comment! Your crochet hook does not have to be the same size as your needle, but it does help to have a similar size to grab the yarn. Best of luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
I have completed my provisional cast on . However; my pattern calls for k, sl1 wyif ,k, s1 wyif in the first row . The sl1 wyif will not be knitting or purl until my second row. When I undue my provisional cast on I will be missing stitches because the sk wyif is not completed in my new yarn until the second row.
Love your instruction. I am knitting a cowl and the two ends will need to be joined once completed .
Any suggestion would be greatly appreciation.
Thanks,
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for writing us. I am not familiar with the pattern so I cannot say for certain, but I think that if you k1, s1 you’ll have to eventually work the slipped stitch. This means that it will be secure eventually. I’d try this technique on a small swatch first and see if pulling out the provisional cast on will ruin the work. Let us know how it goes!
-Adam
Do I start my pattern after knitting the initial cast on on
Hi Logan,
Thank you for reaching out! After using this cast on method you are ready to start the first row of your pattern.
Warmly,
Marilla
Hello, I am knitting the top down cardigan that calls for 12 provisional cast ons under the arm. However it’s time to pick those up and i have 13 stitches under each arm! I followed the directions very carefully, it’s not a big deal but I would like to understand where I went wrong! Could you shed some light? Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Pastille,
Thanks for writing us. Fortunately it doesn’t really matter whether you have one more stitch to graft at the underarm or not. You could have accidentally added a stitch or you could be confusing something that looks like a stitch. Either way, you are totally good to go ahead and close up the underarm.
Adam
So simple! It completely solves the too tight and probably miscounted chain problem. I love one step processes as they are easy to do and teach to others.
Peep #1 never knew how to do this technique and was a little scared to try BUT… But your tutorial makes it look so easy! She’s gonna try this, for sure. purrs
With the provisional cast on, can I do a 2×2 rib as my first row, beginning a cowl, or must it be a knit row. I’m having trouble removing the scrap yarn & keeping the 2×2 integrity as it comes out and putting back the live stitches on my needle. Is there a way to keep the 2×2 stitches intact ?
Please send reply to my email 🙂
Hello Kathie,
Thank you for your question! My apologies for such a delayed response. You can certainly use this method for a 2×2 rib, though you are correct it makes it a bit more challenging to pick out your scrap yarn. I would definitely put your stitches on a needle before picking out the scrap yarn. For instructions on how to do this check out our tutorial for the two step provisional cast on. I would also recommend practicing a couple of times with a small swatch before jumping into your project.
I hope this all makes sense and please let me know if I can clarify anything for you!
Warmly,
Marilla
Hi, I am Ginko top and as I am new to knitting garments am not clear as to whether the provisional cast on should be done in contrasting yarn. Are these stitches I pick up later??? Or should I use the same yarn as my working yarn? Many thanks
Hi Emma,
Thanks for writing in! Great question! This generally depends on the project. Typically, you will be picking out the provisional cast on to pick up and work stitches. With this in mind I would say that it is easiest to use a contrasting yarn.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
After using the provisional cast on, how do I then use those provisional stitches to start the kitchener bind off?
Hi Janeen,
Thanks for writing in! This really depends on the pattern that you are using and the instructions that it details. Generally speaking, you will remove the provision cast on while placing the stitches that it was holding, back onto your knitting needle. This will put your live stitches back on the needle to work the kitchener.
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
I’m doing the Henry Scarf which calls for provisional cast on but it doesn’t say which one to use. Does it make
a difference? Pattern doesn’t say to pick up the sts made
by the cast on. Which one should I use? Thank You
Hi Bethany,
Thanks for writing in! Are you working on the Henry Scarf form Knitty? If so, it looks like they are asking you to cast on with an alternate yarn. In that case, you can simply cast on as your normally would or use the technique above. Either should work fine for this pattern!
Best,
Cassy
Thanks for tutorial
How do I proceed after the cast on is complete. How do I then start knitting . If I create a loop around the new needle to hold the working yarn I end up w too Many Stitches. If I Do Not Create A Loop The WorkinG yarn Is SO So Loose.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for writing in! Once you have completed your provisional cast on with scrap yarn, you will begin knitting with the yarn you are using for your project. You will have to hold a bit of tension for the first few stitches on the first row and the last few stitches on the next row. As the new yarn is added, you will need to do this to prevent these stitches from being too loose at the beginning. After a few rows, this should not be an issue any more and you will be good to knit on as normal!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi – maybe you can help me…I am knitting the Bobbke Sheep Pillow. I did the one step provisional cast on. I cut it off like the tutorial said. I did the cast on with a contrasting yarn in the same weight as the main yarn. I then knitted a row using the main color and yarn. It looks right. Only thing is when I went to do the bobble stitch i realize I am on the wrong side. I did the 4 rows as directed and then on the 5th row when I went to do the increase part with the bobble stitch, I realized when I turned my work I wasn’t on the right side. What should I do? I should have the wrong side facing me when I knit the 5 bobble stitches together …and I don’t have that side facing me. I have the right side facing me. Please help. Thank you. Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out! Since the Bobble Sheep Pillow is worked in the round, you should have the right side always facing you, except when you are in the process of making each bobble, which does require turning to the wrong side for the second step. After the provisional cast on, you should immediately distribute your stitches onto double pointed needles and begin working in the round with your main color. If you are having trouble with the bobble itself, we do have a video tutorial for the 5 Stitch Garter Bobble which may be helpful!
Best of luck, and let us know if you have any further questions!
Julianna
Wondering if a provisional cast on would work mid-row. Like for adding underarm stitches on a top-down raglan or yoke sweater. When you come back to work the sleeves, you’d have the live stitches left on a holder when separating for the body and then live underarm stitches from the provisional cast on. It seems like this should work. Am I missing something??? (Maybe more trouble than it’s worth for an underarm.)
Hello Laura,
Thanks for reaching out! This is a great question, you can certainly use this for the underarm section of a top sweater.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi. Thanks for this video. I want to make the Striped Garter Scarf, & the pattern suggested watching this video, for casting on. I’ve never done a provisional cast-on & don’t really understand what it’s for, but that’s OK for now. And I’m not sure why chains are made after you cast on all the stitches. Anyway…
My question is, if I am casting on this way, to knit the scarf, I would be using the yarn I want to use for the scarf, instead of scrap yarn. Does that mean that, in my case, I would NOT cut the yarn, but, instead, just turn & start knitting the pattern.
So, after casting on this way, 420 stitches, I would NOT make the chain stitches, but just treat it like any other method of casting on, & just start knitting?
I’ve been away from knitting for 25 years, due to illness/disability, & now that I’m knitting again, I find many new things, some quite confusing.
Thanks so much. 🙂
Hello Jeanine,
Thank you for reaching out and welcome back to world of knitting! Your instincts are correct, If you are using this as just a regular cast on, rather than a provisional one, you will use your working yarn and there is no need to cut it as it is not provisional.
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
Warmly,
Marilla
Hi Purl Soho,
I’m just getting my mind around your Faceted Yoke Pullover. I understand the concept of the provisional cast on (and your video tutorials are awesome), but I’m a bit confused re: using provisional cast on for this sweater. So, here’s my question: for the I-cord cast on, the instructions say “using provisional method, cast on 4 stitches, leaving a 10-inch tail.” Do I create a separate provisional cast on, doing the chain stitch and cutting the yarn AND then start the I-cord cast on? Or, do I do the provisional cast on and continue with the I-Cord cast on? Am I making sense? Thanks
Hi Nancie,
Thanks for reaching out! To begin the I-Cord cast on, you do start with a separate provisional cast on. After using waste yarn to cast on four stitches provisionally using the instructions in the video above, you will join your working yarn and work the first step of the actual I-Cord cast on, which is to knit 4 stitches. You will then continue the rest of the I-Cord cast on using your main yarn.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I wrote yesterday but my message probably didn’t go through.
I am making the “faceted yoke pullover” and need a clarification please.
The 1st row of the I-cord instruction says to “knit 4”.
I’m assuming that means to knit the 4 provisional stitches already on the needle. Is that correct?
Thanks so much. I’ll probably be back asking for more instruction as I progress.
Hello Maureen,
Thank you for reaching out! Yes, that is correct!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Hi there! I have just finished the provisional cast on on double pointed needles for the bobble sheep! I cut the scrap yarn like in the video. How do I join the round with the main yarn on double pointed needles? I am finding this very confusing. Any help would be appreciated! V
Hi Vivi,
Thanks for writing in! You can’t really join in the round immediately after working a provisional cast on, as you can see! You will need to knit your first row in the main color, and then join in the round when starting the second row.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Love the one step provisional. I want to use it so I can adjust the length on a sleeve before I finish seaming .the entire sleeve. I would like to be able to remove a few rows if i need to or adjust the amount of ribbing. My arms are short and that w could help. Would this work?
Hi Donna,
Thanks for reaching out, and what an interesting application of a provisional cast on! Yes, I think this would work, but I would recommend leaving off the ribbing entirely when starting the sleeve and work it at the end after adjusting the length. When you return provisional stitches to the needle and knit in the other direction, since you are knitting from the bottom of the stitches, everything shifts over a half stitch. In stockinette this doesn’t show, but in the middle of ribbing or any other textured stitch, you will usually see a line where you start knitting again; however, it should be easy enough to start from the first stockinette row and work the ribbing after the fact so you can completely customize the sleeve length!
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
Good morning! I have used your tutorial for the provisional cast on and appreciate how clear it is. My question is about the first row of knitting after the provisional cast on. I have used the method for several projects with beautiful success in some and frustration in others. It has worked beautifully for a tubular cast on – when it was time to remove the provisional stitches, they unzipped like a dream. However, when I have used it for a folded hat brim (where you knit the double depth of the brim, fold it, and use two needles to join the brim by knitting two stitches together around) , I have ended up having to pick it out from *almost* every single stitch. The hat brim has a K2P2 rib and my first row after the provisional was K2P2. The fact that some of the stitches pop right out of the waste yarn while others have the waste yarn wrapped around the stitch leads me to believe that the first row of the project should be an all knit set up row? I read through most of these replies before posing this question, and I tried a Google search. I hope this wasn’t answered above, and thank you for any help you can offer!
Hi Vicky,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, you are correct that you will need to start with an all knit row after a provisional cast on before starting any knit-and-purl stitch pattern – although it is possible to take out the provisional cast on if you omit the set-up row, it can be quite tedious, as you have found!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi,
I really need some help.
The first row of my ‘live’ knitting requires me to knit through the back of the stitch. When I come to unravel the provisional work, it is knotted through the back loop of these tbl stitches. Is there a workaround for this problem? I did think about doing an additional knit/purl for the first row, and unravelling that as well, but the needle would then be at the wrong end/on the wrong side of the knitting.
Any ideas -apart from choosing a different pattern?
thanks.
Hi Maggie
Thanks for writing in! You are correct in your thinking that doing an additional plain knit row would fix this problem. Depending on what your pattern directions are after you remove the provisional cast on, you could knit this plain row tbl to twist it. It is super tedious, but unpicking each stitch is doable, I find when I have run into this problem in the past, I very carefully trim the yarn I am removing, so I have less to pull through each time. I hope this helps!
Best
Jessica
With the provisional cast on done, and one the first row of knitting, how do I slip the first stitch, technically, if I slip the first stitch of the provisional cast on, there will be not yarn there for the 2nd row. Is it ok to knit across the 1st row of the provisional cast on to get an actual row of knitting. My pattern calls for a 3 stitch icord selvage
Hi Fanny,
Thanks for reaching out! Depending on your pattern you will either slip the first stitch with the yarn in back or yarn in front, this will cary the working yarn either behind or in front of the slipped stitch carrying it over so that you can then work the next stitch as normal!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi, Could you possibly show us how to pick up the provisional cast on later? I tried and just couldn’t remove the crochet part smoothly. Many thanks!
Hi Jessie,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, at this time we don’t have the resources to film an additional tutorial, but thank you so much for expressing your interest! I will certainly pass this along to the rest of the team.
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi Gianna, Thank you very much for your quick reply. Appreciate it.
When instructed to do a provisional caston, then to knit a pattern of rows, is the first real-yarn row the first row of the pattern sequence? I’m thinking of cowls where the last row will be grafted /kitchener stitched to the first row.
Hi S Hya,
Thanks so much for writing in! I think it depends on the particular pattern you’re referencing, but in general, yes, the row after the provisional cast-on will be what you’ll be grafting or Kitchener-stitching to the final row to create a seamless and reversible join. Before joining, you would just remove the provisional cast-on, place the stitches that it was holding back onto your needle, and you’d be all set to work into those stitches!
I hope this helps! Have a great day!
All the best,
Cat
You are so right, this is not scary at all. I can make the dumpling bag! Thank you for the tutorial.
After doing the provisional cast on and beginning my pattern row, I realized that maybe instead of following the pattern (k1tbl, p1) I should have knitted that first row all in knits. Is it possible after turning the work to remove the provisional cast on to pick up a purl from the right side (as you directed) of the stitch? Thanks
Hi Maureen,
Thanks for reaching out. You should be able to begin the pattern as written after casting on provisionally! It’s difficult to tell without additional context though, so could you let me know what pattern you’re working on? Then I can take a closer look!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you for this tutorial! I’m working on the Air Mail Vest, which is knit in a twisted rib. When I removed my provisional cast on, the stitches on my needles were crossed over one another. Is this supposed to happen?
I’d love a follow up tutorial showing how to pick up purl stitches from a provisional cast on, since the video only shows how to do so with knit stitches. Picking up ribbing before removing a provisional cast on is very confusing to me.
Thank you!
-Corinne
Hi Corinne,
Thanks for writing in, and I’m eager to help figure out what may have happened in your project! Do you happen to remember if you worked the Set-Up Row (wrong side) after doing the provisional cast-on? The purpose of that row is to provide a row of normal knit stitches before the twisted ribbing so that you can put the provisionally cast-on stitches back onto needles as you usually would.
All the best,
Lili
Hello! Very good tutorial! I was very confused by a pattern calling for a provisional cast on but this made it super easy for me to learn!
My question is not at all skill related-but I love the blue yarn used in this video-is that a yarn you carry?
Thank you!
Hi Kristin,
We’re so glad that this tutorial proved to be so helpful! The blue yarn in the video is Plenty in Mint Blue 🙂
All the best,
Lili
I purchased 3 skeins of Purl Soho’s Lantern yarn in 2020!
I want to knit your pattern for the Simple Knit Tote.
I finally started with the one step provisional cast on by watching your tutorial. Managed to cast on the 24 stitches and started knitting with my lantern yarn. I quickly realized that due to the slipped stitches the lantern and the scrap yarn were being worked together. Read the pattern gain and realized I was supposed to use the 2 step method. can you explain if I can use either method and how to start the pattern using the yarn after the pprovisional cast on.
Hi Helen,
Thank you for writing in! You can definitely use either method but I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean by knitting with the main yarn and scrap yarn. For either method, you will want to only knit the stitches with your main color yarn though. I hope this helps but I will keep an eye out for your reply!
All the best,
Gavriella
Thank you for your tutorial, I have never heard of the provisional cast on before until today. I am making a cardigan with a cable neckline that starts from the back of the neck and goes down both sides of the front in mirror image.
Hi Julie,
We are so happy you found this tutorial helpful! Please let us know if you have any questions along the way.
Happy making,
Gavriella