Provisional cast-ons (and lots of pretty colours!)

We’ve finished the first month of our knit and crochet alongs! How are you getting on?

If you’re struggling with how to get started on the knitted hat, then you aren’t alone. A few people have contacted me asking for me to do a tutorial on provisional cast-ons, so here you go!

First up, here’s a video I’ve recorded this afternoon for you, showing my two favourite ways of doing a provisional cast-on.

I was casting on the coordinating cowl for the Etereo Hat KAL whilst I was in hospital, and so I didn’t have a crochet hook with me, and so came up with the ‘fingers only’ method of provisional cast-ons.

Whether you are using a crochet hook or your fingers, the method is the same.

1. Make a slip knot.
2. Put the knot around your hook or two fingers.
3. Move the working yarn behind your knitting needle
4. Reach over the knitting needle with your hook/fingers and pull another loop through your slip knot, making sure it is secure around your knitting needle (not too tight or too loose).

Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have enough stitches on your knitting needle for your project. Pull another large loop through your final loop and pull it tight so that it won’t undo by itself, and then cut your working yarn.

When your project is finished and you’re ready to graft, you can then pull this cut end and your provisional cast-on stitches will undo neatly.

I hope that helps!!

Cal/Kal update

I finished my Etereo Hat a few weeks ago, and have cast on the matching cowl, but haven’t got very far yet.

I’m going to start on the crochet Berlin Hat this week, and I’m going to use the same brand of yarn – West Yorkshire Spinners BFL Fleece DK, because I love the sheen and the feel of it. It really is one of my favourite yarns!

I’m going to go with the colourway Berry, and probably put a matching Berry pom-pom on it too!

What do you think of the combo?

In other news…

I’ve been really busy at the dye pots! Check out all these lovely yarns which are now available in store and on the website:

What’s coming up?

So as I type, we’ve just had a big fibre delivery in, so we’re excited to be getting that out as soon as we possibly can. We’re also getting excited as we move into Wonderwool Wales month!

Are you going to the iconic show? We can’t wait!!

Hope you’re all keeping well and I’ll see you next week!

Nikki