#KnitTip

No matter your knitting experience, Laura Nelkin's #KnitTips are designed to meet you exactly where you are and grow your skills! With clear instructions, helpful visuals, and expert advice, beginner knitters and masters alike will be more prepared to tackle new challenges and embrace exciting techniques.
How to Provisionally Cast on Your Knitting with Stitch Saver
Let me show you my FAVORITE way to cast on stitches provisionally... with a strand of 2mm hollow silicone tubing. I'll show you how easy the cast on is, and then explain why you use it, and how to get those live stitches back onto your needle when you are ready to work them.
Embracing Stitch Saver: www.nelkindesigns.com/StitchSaver
Affiliate Link to Purchase 2mm Stitch Saver: amzn.to/3MEsnSO
If you're a beginner knitter, or you just want to learn a new technique, then watch this video and learn how to provisionally cast on your knitting the easy way!
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[@carolhassell8745]

Honestly, I have avoided patterns calling for a provisional cast-on start for years. I find it confusing and sometimes unintelligible. Well, no more. Thank you for this brief video. Clearest technique and explanation I have ever seen! Thank you.

[@LauraNelkin]

You are so very welcome!!!

[@user-sz8se9it7g]

After seeing your brief video on Instagram on rolled hems I popped on here to see your PC video. I will be following you more-you have a wonderful teaching voice, diction, speaking-teaching rhythm! Thank you for your approach. Already I feel like I can master pc.

[@LauraNelkin]

Welcome aboard! I'm so glad you enjoy my tutorials... they are a great addition to my designs, check those out one day too : )! xo

[@lindseyrea9237]

I like this technique very much. I have also done it over a spare circular cord if I am going to knit in the round . I just put the "stoppers" on each end of the cord, and when I am ready, I replace 1 stopper with the right size tip.

[@thanhstorf9036]

Thank you so much. No more “scare” of provisional cast-on any more. This method is very quick, easy and look perfect, thank you 😊👍🏼❤️🥰

[@LauraNelkin]

You're welcome!

[@TOLady1]

Thank you! I can't wait to try this

[@lindas5964]

Learned this while making your Da Luxe blanket. It’s the bomb! Gonna use it on a sweater now and needed to come back for a refresher.

[@carolinepartridge668]

Fab tutorial and technique , thankyou

[@jeanneftc]

Love this technique! I found a spool of Stitch Saver in my Christmas stocking this year. I can hardly wait to try a provisional cast on using it! Thank you for this great video.

[@user-zx4gg3hn2x]

This is phenomenal! Easy peasy!! Casting on right now!!

[@melindahuntley9873]

this is great, thank you.

[@stitchy_linn]

It finally clicked for me! Best ever invention these little silicone tubes.

[@LauraNelkin]

I agree! I just found a new use for them too!

[@barbmckinlay5108]

I love this! Thank you.

[@LauraNelkin]

You are so welcome!

[@mariamclauchlan8180]

Thanks so much for this video. Now I won’t break into a cold sweat when I read provisional cast on 😅 in the future

[@jutta4286]

Thanks so much for this easy to follow provisional cast -on method using a silicone cord 👍👍😍

[@LauraNelkin]

You are so welcome!

[@lysmask76]

Many thanks for a great tutorial!

[@LauraNelkin]

You're very welcome!

[@lindacanfieldchamberlain2073]

Wow this is great!!! Thank you SO MUCH!!

[@LauraNelkin]

Any time!

[@sueherman8876]

Great! You answered how to cast on odd number which no other videos do! Thank you so much!!!

[@LauraNelkin]

Glad it was helpful! (a few of my patterns start with an odd count and I NEEDED to cover that!)

[@wovenheart2686]

This is amazing!!! Thank youuuu

[@LauraNelkin]

You're so welcome!

[@theslowknitter]

Thank you, Laura - I have been trying to figure out how to do this!! This was very helpful.

[@LauraNelkin]

Glad it was helpful! I have a longer tutorial on provisional cast on's that this was buried in, but it was time to make a video dedicated just to it!

[@servetozgur8794]

Thank you so much ❤

[@LauraNelkin]

You're welcome 😊

[@valeriebishop561]

brilliant!

[@LauraNelkin]

Thanks!

[@kaybellor2284]

This is pretty cool! Thanks much.

[@LauraNelkin]

Glad you like it! You are welcome!!!

[@YolyCurls]

Love it. Thanks

[@LauraNelkin]

My pleasure!

[@joanie9258]

Wow! I wish I had seen this technique before I did my first provisional cast on for my current project. Now I don’t have to avoid provisional cast on projects! Thank you 🙏

[@LauraNelkin]

You are so welcome!

[@rosaelinav8036]

Wow I find it’s very interesting. Also very helpful too! Thank you again 💕🙋‍♀️💕

[@LauraNelkin]

You are so welcome!

[@noelleparris9451]

What a timely find! I was just thinking about this, wondering if you could do a provisional cast on with the stitch saver cord! Thank you so much for demonstrating the technique, I will definitely be using it!

[@user-oo3ut2yb6l]

Thank you - this was very helpful. You explained every step slowly and succinctly. ❤

[@LauraNelkin]

So glad you liked it!

[@MrPeckjee]

👍👍👍👍love it

[@LauraNelkin]

Thanks!

[@adelahorakova5341]

How is it possible that I have not followed you until now? Thanks for this helpful video. I also love your clear pronunciation and your slower pace of speaking, how thoughtful of non-native speaking knitters! Even though I believe one could learn just by watching what your hands are doing.

[@LauraNelkin]

Oh, thank you so much! I am so glad you have found me too!!! And I appreciate your kind words, I really do try to make my videos clear!

[@tlneill]

Just what i needed! Glad I found your video. I like your needles and am in the market. What needles are you using?

[@beverlythompson3246]

Thanks for this great tip. Could you use a cord from interchangeable needles rather than the silicone tube? When you go back to knit those live stitches you could just add the tips and you’re ready to go.

[@wyvern713]

I've done this on interchangeable needle cords, no problem! (I think technically I did Judy's Magic Cast On, but the end result is basically the same)

[@pamalexander3671]

Laura, how timely! I just realized that this provisional cast-on is just like Cat Bodhi's set up for a mobius pattern.

[@LauraNelkin]

Yes, it is the same style of cast on! Good eye!

[@ooohlaa13]

love you I use old apple charger cable that no longer works instead of a needle, but this is much better ... wonder if an electric store would let you buy shrink wrap by the yard because your link makes you buy a whole spool when you probably would not need over a yard unless you do jewelry ... thanx I have your Craftsy videos on beading and others and love your work and your helpfulness and demeanor!

[@LauraNelkin]

You can purchase smaller amounts at your LYS, but I have been using this tubing ALOT and find the spool quite worth having on hand! (Plus, you can share with friends!)

[@redwilliams9706]

How do you join in the round. Enjoyed your video

[@elizabeththomas179]

Would you be able to use this on a joining part of a project? Like if you were making the middle part of say shorts?

[@deejcarter2003]

I love this technique.🥰 If you are doing a tubular cast on do you still skip those first rounds?

[@sietievdw5404]

Can I use this for a toe up sock?

[@camellia8625]

This looks great! Where do you get the 2mm silicon tubing from? What size needles were you using? If the project requires bigger needles do you use a correspondingly thicker stitch saver.

[@spiggyholz8824]

How would this work when knitting in the round with double pointed needles?

[@AnzhelaMelente]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@LauraNelkin]

xoxo

[@hammie2289]

Any tips on using this method with 1x1 ribbing? I’ve tried this & frogged it 3 times now 😅 I just can’t get the stitches to look neat once I pick up the stitches off the stitch saver. Thanks in advance 🤍

[@JudyPereman-id9hb]

Hi l would love to know where to buy the stitch saver you are using thanks so much for all the videos j

[@LauraNelkin]

Here's a blog post with links: nelkindesigns.blogspot.com/2023/05/knitting-hacks-three-game-changing-ways.html

[@vickistanton9078]

I don't see the link for the stinging beads tutorial, HELP !!!!!

[@estheraradottir6808]

Do you have a video showing this technique in the round??

[@LauraNelkin]

I don't, but work the cast on and then work one row and join into the round! Easy!

[@elainebos]

I would like to see how to do this when knitting in the round on magic loop, specifically using the technique for a picot edge sock or mitten. I get messed up when trying to do this method in the round.

[@LauraNelkin]

Oh! The big trick is to work one round plain before joining up! I show that in my Clue 1 cOWL mkal video for the Hexi... check that out!

[@sandiprice2491]

I too found your tutorial very helpful. But I have a concern for putting the cast on stitches back onto a needle. I used a barber cord and they are quite small in diameter. And I don’t think my 3.5 mm needle will fit. I was going to ask if you had a suggestion for a looser cast on . But now I’m wondering if I could use a double layer of cord? And just to check on your cord is it thicker?

[@LauraNelkin]

You can get stitch saver in 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm widths that will work better with larger gauge projects.

[@despinavassos7865]

If you want to join in the round,.would you knit the first row and then join in the round? Thank you for making this video ❤

[@LauraNelkin]

Yes, that is exactly what I do!

[@despinavassos7865]

@@LauraNelkin thank you!

[@kathleenstoin671]

I learned this method over 50 years ago from Barbara Walker's book, "Knitting from the Top." She used waste yarn instead of what you used, but it's the exact same technique. It's my favorite provisional cast on, and once you get the hang of it, it's probably the fastest cast on, too.

[@LauraNelkin]

Cool! The difference with this is that the stitch saver allows you to slide your needle through, but otherwise yes, the hand moves aren't new!

[@vrisaydaboggess9269]

this is great. how do you do it in the round

[@LauraNelkin]

I work one row and then join into the round!

[@vrisaydaboggess9269]

Thank you.

[@singingmomma]

Could you please demo this technique with throwing instead of continental? I think I'm doing it right, but it doesn't look the same!

[@LauraNelkin]

I can add that to my list of videos to shoot, but it won't be for a bit! The movements are the same, the only difference is which hand you hold the yarn in!

[@nicolakerrison]

I love this tip. I'm curious: do you find that the stitches come out a bit tight if they're supposed to be made with larger needles. I'm working with chunky yarn and 6.5mm needles and I'm a bit worried that working directly around stitch saver is going to make the stitches very tight when I come to work them.

[@LauraNelkin]

I haven't experienced that, but maybe try it out on a swatch before you get deep into your project?

[@katiehuxster219]

Hi Laura! Couldn’t this be used to start toe up socks?

[@LauraNelkin]

I would just use Judy's magic cast on! That is tidier and tighter!

[@patriciasmith7640]

Can you use the cord from interchangeable needles? Do you have instructions for in the round please?

[@LauraNelkin]

Yes, you can totally use a cord from an interchangeable needle... and to do this in the round, after you provisionally cast on you'll just join into the round as if you were on a circular needle.... sometimes I like to work one row before joining as this mitigates any twist that could be introduced by mistake!

[@patriciasmith7640]

@@LauraNelkin thank you works like a charm!!

[@funguscreature6833]

can this be done in the round?

[@LauraNelkin]

Definitely! I would work one row and then join into the round.

[@marthacyr9257]

I’m using this technique for a knit in the round sweater. Based on your comment I will ignore the slip stitch. Do I need to worry about ‘twisting’ on the first round?

[@LauraNelkin]

Always, you'll want to make sure that there isn't a twist!

[@plasticreplica]

Can this be done in the round ?

[@LauraNelkin]

Definitely, after you work it work one row and then join into the round!

[@alexandradegruyter]

❤️🌈

[@charleswelles7857]

Where do you get the tubing?

[@LauraNelkin]

That is linked below: Affiliate Link to Purchase 2mm Stitch Saver: amzn.to/3MEsnSO

[@Rebecca_Lee_P]

Can this technique be used if your pattern does not include a set up row after casting on? In fact, the pattern says you can substitute a method, but for "pattern consistency" do not choose a method that will create an extra row.

[@LauraNelkin]

Definitely! Just work it and jump right in!

[@Rebecca_Lee_P]

@@LauraNelkin Thank you!

[@gardeningfun7657]

why not have the slip stitch count as the first stitch?

[@LauraNelkin]

It has the knot on it!

[@joanneboag5993]

Don’t forget toe up socks! ☺️

[@LauraNelkin]

I like to use JMCO for that!