Provisional Cast-On
Provisional cast-on is a temporary cast-on that can later be unpicked, freeing live stitches to be knitted in the opposite direction.
Explanation
A provisional cast-on is worked with waste yarn or a crochet chain so the cast-on edge can later be removed, 'waking up' the original stitches as live stitches on the needle. This is used whenever you need to knit in the opposite direction later, such as for Italian bind-off, seamless joins, or picking up stitches along an edge without a visible cast-on ridge. Common methods include a crochet chain provisional cast-on or casting on over a strand of waste yarn.
Also known as: Temporary cast-on
How to work a provisional cast-on
Cast on in waste yarn — either by crocheting a chain and picking up stitches from the back bumps, or by casting on over both working and waste yarn. When you later need the live stitches, you pull the waste yarn out and put the stitches on a needle.
The point is that the edge is never locked. You can knit in both directions from the same starting line.
Where it is used
Sock toes to be grafted, scarves worked outward from the middle, and sweaters where you want to decide the neckband length last. Anywhere you want to defer a decision.
It is also useful when you do not know how much yarn you have: knit until half is gone, then work the other direction.
Common mistakes
- Using waste yarn the same color as the working yarn.
- Dropping stitches as the waste yarn comes out — put them on a needle first.
Keywords
- provisional cast-on
- temporary cast-on
- waste yarn cast-on
Frequently asked questions
When do I need a provisional cast-on?
When you will later knit in the opposite direction from the cast-on, or graft the edge with Kitchener stitch.
What is the easiest method?
Crochet a chain in waste yarn and pick up stitches from the back bumps. The chain unzips from one end when you need the stitches.