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Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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One-Step Provisional Cast On with Video Tutorial

January 31, 2023 3 Comments

Learn how to work a provisional cast on in knitting. This popular method uses scrap yarn and a crochet hook.

Provisional cast ons are an incredibly useful tool for knitters. They can be undone at any time, giving knitters access to live stitches that can be knitted in the opposite direction, grafted together with hand stitching, and more. There are a few approaches to working a provisional cast on, so today we’re going to compare provisional cast ons that use a crochet hook, as well as taking an in-depth look at how to work a one-step provisional cast on.

Learn how to work a provisional cast on in knitting. This popular method uses scrap yarn and a crochet hook.

What is a provisional cast on in knitting?

In knitting, a provisional cast on can be undone later, so knitters can access live (a.k.a. knittable) stitches for future knitting or grafting purposes.

The thing with a provisional cast on is that any cast on can technically be a provisional cast on, but know that you’re going to be ripping it out later to release your stitches. You can grab some scrap yarn and do a good old long tail cast on, but at the end when you need access to the live stitches from your cast on edge, you’ll be cutting into/fiddling with your project to do so. This is why we love a provisional cast on like the popular crocheted provisional cast on we’re looking at today. You can quickly chain up and cast on with a crochet hook, and have easy access to the stitches later, no cutting necessary.

Learn how to work a provisional cast on in knitting. This popular method uses scrap yarn and a crochet hook.

One-Step vs. Two-Step Provisional Cast Ons Using Scrap Yarn

One of my most popular videos from years past is a provisional cast on tutorial featuring a two-step method, so when I decided to tackle the one-step approach, I looked to my first video for feedback. The primary issue that got commenters going was the fact that the video was demonstrating a two-step approach to this cast on, rather than a one-step version – it would seem the one-step is more popular.

What’s the difference between the one- and two-step methods?

Turns out very little. Both techniques accomplish the same chained scrap yarn cast on in the end. They’re nearly identical, depending on your technique. The difference is that in the one-step method, you’re crocheting chain stitches directly on to a knitting needle, rather than working a set of chain stitches and then knitting into the back of them, as you would in the two-step method. Is one better than the other? Having used both, I think it just depends on the knitter’s preference.

Learn how to work a provisional cast on in knitting. This popular method uses scrap yarn and a crochet hook.

How to Work a One-Step Provisional Knitting Cast On

So here it is, an in-depth, multi-camera, fully mic’d video tutorial on how to accomplish a provisional knitting cast on using scrap yarn in one step. 😊 Also, if you’re new to using a provisional cast on, I’ll include a section of links below the video to other tutorials, both mine and others, in case others’ teaching style works better for your learning style.

P.S. This method uses a crochet hook, but you don’t need to know how to crochet to accomplish it.

Learn how to work a provisional cast on in knitting. This popular method uses scrap yarn and a crochet hook.

Related Tutorials

  • Two-Step Provisional Knitting Cast On – Hands Occupied
  • Provisional Cast On: A One-Step Method – Purl Soho (includes video demonstrating tensioning in your right hand)
  • Provisional Cast Ons (both methods – photo tutorial)- Churchmouse Yarns & Teas
  • Two-Step Provisional Cast On (photos & written tutorial) – Hands Occupied
  • Crochet Provisional Cast On (photos & written tutorial, including pulling out stitches) – Ysolda
Learn how to work a provisional cast on in knitting. This popular method uses scrap yarn and a crochet hook.

Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: crochet cast on, Knitting, one step provisional cast on, provisional cast on, video tutorial, youtube

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Mariah

    January 31, 2023 at 1:24 pm

    Loved this tutorial! The instructions were so clear and concise. Thanks so much for the hard work you put in your demonstrations!

    Reply
  2. Kathy Adams

    February 23, 2023 at 8:46 pm

    Thank you for making this tutorial video. You are a very good teacher and made this look so easy.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      February 24, 2023 at 2:56 pm

      Thank you so much, Kathy! I really appreciate the kind words. :)

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with jus How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with just a few supplies ✂️
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When I was a librarian, we would use these hanging bags to circulate books with audiobook CDs. They came to mind when I wanted to develop a filing cabinet-like system for my differently-sized WIPs. To fit in my studio closet, a standard bedroom closet, they just needed custom hangers. 🤙🏻 
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HOW TO MAKE THE HANGERS
1. Carefully cut approx. a 9” (23 cm) length of flexible 3 mm aluminum wire.
2. Near the end of a large knitting needle or dowel, wrap the wire around it as you would a twist tie. 
3. Bend the other end into a hook shape, perpendicular to the circle shape you just created. 
4. Hang like a hanger in a closet, as shown. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration #craftcloset #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #craftroomdecor #crocheter #latchhook #knittersofinstagram #wip #wips #hangingstorage
It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! T It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! This go around, get to know two new sister yarns from @manosyarnsusa, Marla and Sami, and enter to win a skein of each to try for yourself. 
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What makes these yarns sisters is that, while dyed differently, they’re the same weight and come in intentionally coordinating color palettes. For my review, I opted for a sky-inspired combo of Sami in Natural and Marla in Nube. 🌧️ 
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Check out the full review & enter the giveaway at the link in my bio. 
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If only knitting a whole project took 39 seconds… 😮‍💨 
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In this video, you can see how the Intarsia Flower Pillow pattern knits up - two flat panels, one with intarsia, both are blocked, and then they’re seamed. Find the pattern on @hi.ravelry & my website, just search Intarsia Flower Pillow. 🌸 
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P.S. I’m really smiling in this video while seaming the pillow, so I guess I’m proving last week’s claim that I truly enjoy that sometimes-dreaded task. 😆🫣
In knitting, a Left Lifted Increase (LLI) lets you In knitting, a Left Lifted Increase (LLI) lets you add a stitch in between two columns of stitches that leans to the left. Similar to an M1L, LLIs allow you to increase nearly invisibly.
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To learn more about lifted increases, including when to use them and how they differ from Make 1s, head to the 🔗 in my profle. 
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Have you ever used lifted increases? I used M1’s almost exclusively for a long time when I needed to inc between stitches, but when I designed the Intarsia Flower Pillow pattern, I needed something that would allow me to increase a lot near my cast on, and M1’s resulted in edge curling. The more you know! 🌈 
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Yarn: @lionbrandyarn Wool Ease from my Stash / Neddles: @boyeyarncrafts - Just remembered these are the needles I learned to knit on at age 8. 😂
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Lessons learned: 1️⃣ Trying to knit around 2 toddlers, 2 cats & 2 large dogs is pretty hard. 2️⃣ I learned during water color time that pink and black make “colorful black.” 🩷🖤 3️⃣ Toddlers do NOT care about your rainbow sorting of their toys. 4️⃣ Toddlers are very good at finding mischief in a very short amount of time, what a surprise. 😂
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