[GrumpyGramma]

So for future reference, if a pattern just says to add stitches, I can assume it's telling me to do so using a knit cast on?

Sorry, but no. Patterns will sometimes have notes that tell you to use a particular cast on. What you can do is use whichever one you want unless there's a particular reason for particular cast on. Sometimes a backward loop is easiest, quickest, and works just fine. Most of the time I'll use another.