Provisional Cast-on, Cables

The Fundamentals II class has begun for the March-April session, and what a good group it is! An enthusiastic and perfect blend of students from prior classes.

We're starting with this hat, designed by Alexandra Virgiel and appropriately called "Coronet." You can get the pattern yourself from Ravelry by clicking here.

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With this one hat, we will have the opportunity to learn all this:

1. How to read pattern stitches in a pattern
2. Provisional cast-on (and, with the method I use, we first need to learn to crochet a chain stitch)
3. Picking up stitches along the edge
4. Joining and knitting in the round
5. Using the "magic loop" technique for knitting in the round
6. Regularly spaced decreases
7. Kitchener stitch
8. Pompoms

We got started with my favorite version of provisional cast-on. It involves using a crochet hook to make some chains, then chaining across the needle. There are so many ways to make provisional cast-ons, and each knitter has a favorite. Frankly, I found some of the ones that do it with two needles (rather than a crochet chain) to result in a loose mess.  Then, the method where you first crochet a chain and then insert the knitting needle into some of the loops is tantrum-throwing difficult.

Here are a few of the provisional cast-on methods, ending with my fave:

Two-needle ziggy-zaggy
Crochet a chain and dig in
Chain stitch around the needle (my fave)

Casting On -- Two Needle

This method of casting on may be easier for the American/English style knitters because it involves two needles, with the yarn in the right hand. Basically, you make a stitch, twist it around to place it on the left needle, and then use that stitch as your beginning to make another one.

Here's an excellent video that will help you remember what we learned in class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APSqlPSz1Eo&NR=1

Casting On -- Long Tail

With the "long tail" method of casting on, you measure out a length of yarn (roughly 1 inch for every stitch you plan should give you plenty). If you're stingy like I am, you won't give yourself enough yarn and will have to start over. Don't know what that saves, but I seem to like to see how close I can come to judging just the right amount.

Anyway, once you have a length measured out, you make a slip knot, with the ball end of the yarn the one that slips. Put the slip knot on one needle and hold the needle in your right hand. With the left hand, separate the two strands that are hanging down, with the "tail end" to the left and the "ball end" to the right. Hold both strands toward the bottom of your hand, just to give it some tension. You now have some yarn from the ball end draped over your left index finger, and some yarn from the tail end draped over your thumb.

Take the needle and bring it down so a loop forms on your thumb. Then put it through that loop and make a knit stitch, using yarn from your index finger, just like you would knit a stitch in the Continental style.

Don't take my word for it. Here's a video that will remind you of what we did in class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iv03nRS8xU