Some of our Visitor's Tips need a bit of explanation to be able to use them effectively. So... this is where you will find the why's and how's of these techniques.

#1 Provisional Cast On from Elaine

I ran across directions for the provisional cast on in several places. A couple of them were on the internet. There are three that I know of. I'll try to explain them from my least favorite to my most favorite. 1. Cast on regularly, but use a different colored piece of yarn (I find ribbon better, because it is smooth and you don't tend to split threads in the next step.) Knit your garment from that point on, but when you are through, pull out the ribbon--be sure to place the loops on a holder if it is a plain stitch. If it is a ribbing stitch, the stitches are supposed to lock each other in. I haven't tried, so I won't swear to it. 2. Crochet a chain stitch string the number you need to cast on + one, using a ribbon and a crochet hook slightly larger than your needles if you are using small needles. If you are using large needles, the hook can probably be about the same size. After you crochet the last chain, pull the ribbon through so that it won't unravel. You now have the number of chain stitches as you would have cast on stitches. Take your yarn and pull it through the back loop of the chain stitches. (The front of the chain looks like a sideways V, the back is a horizontal bar, you want to pull the yarn through the bar.) Keep making loops around your knitting needle bringing the yarn through the back loop until you are finished with the length. This is very similar to picking up stitches on a garment piece. When you are finished with the project, run a needle through all the loops that you see on your chain to hold them in place. Undo the last crochet stitch that you pulled through to keep your chain from unraveling. Now.....if you got into the back of the stitches, the chain will unravel as if the knitting weren't even there, and you can proceed to the kitchener. 3. This is my favorite. I don't have to keep track of the back loops on the chain. Start with a crochet hook, a ribbon, and one knitting needle. Place the knitting needled upright between your legs. Take the crochet hook and place a slip stitch on the hook. Now you are going to make chain stitches, but you will wrap the ribbon around the needle before you bring them through the loop. Hold the hook a little in front of the needle. Wrap the ribbon from the right to the left behind the needle. Grab the ribbon with your crochet hook and bring it through the loop on the hook. One chain made. Continue until you have all the loops you need. Chain one more to be able to pull the end through and secure your work. Now just take your yarn and start knitting. When you are finished, you need to pick up the loops on a needle (Always make sure the right thread is in front as you look at the work, otherwise it will be a twisted stitch.) and do a kitchener.

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