I used the crochet hook method, but was using 4 ply yarn with 1.75mm needles, and 4ply wool scrap yarn. I found it quite difficult to get the stitches transferred off the scrap yarn to needles. The scrap yarn had got stuck to the cast on yarn loops in many places, and the loops themselves were small so needed careful but fast work to pick them up. I did them one at a time and it took two evenings to get all of them on the needles (174 lol).
This is another pattern that will hopefully be on Ravelry later, so was wondering if doing the cast on with double knit, or at least 4ply, cotton yarn would make it easier to transfer? I was thinking cotton because it’s smooth so less likely to get stuck on the cast on loops, and theoretically would help keep the loops open as it has less elasticity.
Is it a good idea to write into the pattern?
Provisional cast on idea?
I don’t know if this is of use or not but I use a larger hook for the provisional cast on. My logic is that the stitch size is not made or dictated by the provisional but rather the needle you make the first lot of stitches with, so the cast on loops can be bigger without effecting anything but stay looser and do not pull into the knit stitches which can make it a little easier to unzip the provisional.
A not fluffy yarn that doesn’t catch, as you say a cotton, I feel is better. I did try one with scrap acrylic which was too catchy.
Hi Shintoga. For provisional cast on, you always want to you a smooth yarn as your scrap yarn for exactly that reason. Patterns never specify it. It’s general a talking point in any tutorial on provisional cast ons.
Thanks, both your responses were very helpful it’s the first time I did a provisional cast on, must admit I started feeling a bit dubious about pulling it out later when I was halfway down my project! But lesson learned and I’m going to be specific in the pattern about using cotton yarn and the larger hook size.
Yes, definitely smooth cotton for the waste yarn. I like this provisional. It’s a bit more fiddley than the usual but it works nicely. (see about 2:30min)
Aha, great minds think alike! That’s the one I was using!