This video knitting tutorial will help you learn how to knit the crochet provisional cast on. This method of beginning your work uses a piece of waste yarn to keep your stitches live. These stitches can then be picked up and knit in the opposite direction, or grafted seamlessly. It is great for infinity scarves, flat knit hats, and adding on edging.
Skill: Easy
Instructions:
Step 1: With your waste yarn, make a slip knot and place it on your crochet hook.
Step 2: Take your knitting needle and hold it in your other hand, with the working yarn behind the needle.
Step 3: Grab the working yarn with the crochet hook and draw it through the loop on the hook, wrapping the yarn around the knitting needle.
Step 4: Bring the working yarn back behind the knitting needle.
Rep steps 3 – 4 until the you have cast on your desired number of stitches.
Chain 3 or 4 loops at the end of your cast on row to identify which end you will be removing your waste yarn from.
When you are ready to pick up your stitches, insert your knitting needle into the loops from the first row of your main color. Then gently pull the waste yarn. It should unravel nicely, leaving you with live stitches on your needle.
Example of the Crochet Provisional Cast On (click for larger)