Knitting How To: Easy Provisional Cast-On
Today I'm going to show you another version of the provisional cast-on. We'll be using an interchangeable cable. It's an easy provisional cast-on that works well with a medium to large number of cast-on stitches.
It's called The Invisible Cast-On (aka: Provisional Wrap Cast-On or Open Loop Cast-On)
This method is neat & tidy, secures the stitches firmly, and makes finding and picking up the provisional stitches simple.
Materials needed for Knitting a Provisional Cast on with Interchangeable Cable
You Will Need:
Project needle
Interchangeable Cable
Two Stoppers or end caps
How to Provisionally Cast On in 4 Easy Steps
Using the project fiber and needle, make a slipknot leaving the standard 5" tail.
Hold the interchangeable cable together with the project needle gripping them near the project needle point.
Bring the yarn under the cable and toward you, then over the project needle and away from you.
Continue step 3 until you have wrapped the required number of stitches. DO NOT count the slipknot as a stitch.
Once you have the correct stitch count you are ready for the 1st row.
Steps 1 and 2 of Working the First Row
Working the First Row
Grip the last wrap at the bottom to hold the working yarn in place, then knit the first stitch thru the back loop.
Screw on the 1st stopper or end cap.
Continue knitting thru the back loops across the row until the last stitch (slipknot).
Drop the slipknot and screw on 2nd end cap.
Continue the next row as normal.
Knitting Tip: When choosing the interchangeable cable, choose a cable longer than the project needle which will allow both ends to droop downward. This will keep the provisional stitches and cable out of your way until you are ready for them.
When picking and knitting the provisional stitches, they will sit on an angle very much as the 1st row did and should be worked thru the back loop as well.
Happy Knitting!
- Donna Pelzar, Your Friendly Knitting Doctor
