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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 (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. 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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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