Not a Fan of the Provisional Cast On

[laikabear]

So have you guys tried this? I'll admit that I am kind of a Long Tail Cast On weenie. I use it for everything, sometimes even if a pattern calls for something else. I did learn the Old Norwegian Cast on for Vaila, and I was feeling pretty good about myself.

So my new sweater, Lusekofte, asks for the provisional cast on for the sleeves so they can be hemmed and I JUST COULD NOT DO IT! It took me a few tries to figure out how to do it, and then when I finally got it, I just couldn't join in the round. I guess part of the problem is that I'm knitting these sleeves using Magic Loop, which I usually love, but getting that first stitch knit and holding onto the waste yarn and not twisting it was too much for me. I finally got everything fine and when I got to the second round I realized I had twisted it!

So I gave up and did the regular long tail cast on. I figure in the end, if sewing down the hem makes a large ridge, I can try to unpick the cast on and sew down the live stitches. But the hem is 3.5" so I don't think it will matter. It is a little disconcerting to be unable to complete the FIRST LINE OF THE PATTERN!!!

[Ingrid]

crochet provisional cast on

http://bellaknitting.typepad.com/bel...ional-cas.html

I Hate hate hate the twisty provisional cast on and have never been able to master it.

However, the crochet methods are so much easier. I usually do the chain one. Sometimes the chain doesn't pull out all that easily, but I have scissors.

[lissaplus2]

i learned the crochet provisional cast on....I love it!!! its the one i use for all my PCO now..

Recently, I started a afghan, and used this PCO as a CO because it mirrors the leap frog CO.

This is a handy one to learn!!


Melissa

[newamy]

Funny I cannot do the crochet cast on--being as the crochet hook and I don't work too well together but after watching and various video and reading instructions I can do the "twisty" kind. The trick is to twist the wrist. It did take me awhile to learn.

Anyway when having to join this sort of cast on in the round, one trick is to work the first row or two flat, then join. You can do a tiny seam later to fix it.