How to Avoid the Provisional Cast-on Pitfall

I tend towards a "there has got to be a way", problem solving personality when it comes to things like my knitting.  This has apparently resulted in developing a way to pick up stitched from a provisional cast-on, avoiding the usual pitfall of ending up with one less stitch than was originally in the cast-on.

I honestly was not aware of this common problem until it was brought to my attention by someone who was making my ABIGALE shrug.  In this pattern, I use a provisional cast-on at the mid-back as the start point for knitting the project.  This wonderful knitter had a very valid concern.  She worried that knitters working with this pattern might be confused by my instructions: "Remove provisional CO, picking up all 140 sts...".  The foreseen problem being that, if casting on 140 stitches, only 139 stitches will be available for pick up from the provisional cast-on.  A very good explanation of this can be found at TECHknitting.  At this link you will find solutions to this problem, but here I will provide one of my own -- avoiding the pitfall all together!

The diagram at top was done up to look much like a diagram on TECHknitting (which I have inserted below it), in order to demonstrate how I look at the loops and "tails" from the provisional cast-on differently.  The big difference here is that I include the "tail" on the far left of my diagram, which is created when the ball yarn is pulled up to work the next row of the project.  By doing so, I end up with just as many stitches from "tails", as I had from the loops of the original stitches.  In an attempt to make this clearer, the following is a photo tutorial, demonstrating the pick-up of this final "tail".

I started out by using the Crochet Provisional Cast-on demonstrated in Tubular Cast-on: Part 1, casting on 8 stitches.  I then worked up a number of rows in stocking stitch, using a larger than recommended needle to help make the stitches show up better in the photos.

The yellow arrow tab is pointing to the last "tail" which would normally be picked up off the provisional cast-on.  The purple  arrow tab is pointing to the "tail" created when the ball yarn goes up to work the next row.  This "tail" is caught in the waste yarn of the provisional cast-on, just like all the other "tails".

In the photo above, all "tails" have been picked up, minus the last two.  The first from the needle is the "tail" pointed out by the yellow arrow tab in the  previous photo, and the second is the "tail" pointed out by the purple arrow tab.

After picking up the usual final "tail" (the first from the needle in previous photo), what I refer to as the my final "tail" is still caught in the waste yarn.

Pick up this "tail" to create the final picked up stitch from the provisional cast-on.

There are 8 stitches from the original knit portion off the provisional cast-on showing at the bottom of the photo, and 8 stitches from the pick-up at the top of the photo.

This is just one way of dealing with the provisional cast-on pitfall.  Whether you choose to use this, or one of the solutions provided on TECHknitting, I hope that all who purchase ABIGALE will enjoy their finished project!

Inspiration 4

My obsession with Kaleidoscope in Photo Booth continues, but I tried out X-Ray on these Pansies.  Not quite as fun as Kaleidoscope, although I love how the leaf veining shows up, and the halo effect of shadows in X-Ray.

TRELLIS

This pattern was born out of the arrival, several years ago, of a beautiful new yarn at the LYS where I work.  The yarn was Louet's KidLin Lace.  This yarn is no longer available, but it was literally the combination of a thread-like strand of linen and a fine mohair.  It provided the best of the two yarn families; a light and airy finished product, that also had drape and warmth.

With KidLin out of picture, I reworked this project with the two halves of that yarn.  I also added a shawl size.

Linen and hemp have incredible stitch definition and drape.  They are a great choice for a fashion scarf, or a spring/summer scarf or shawl.  And don't let the rough feel of these yarns turn you off.  After even just one washing, they soften considerably.

The mohair version is feather light, with a soft haze and open, gossamer beauty.

Despite its delicate appearance, mohair provides an amazing amount of warmth.  Out of all the various versions of this project (and I have knit several), my favourite is the mohair scarf.  Made from just one ball of fine mohair, the scarf folds up so small it can be stowed in the most compact of purses, making it easy to have on hand in case the weather takes a turn for the worst.

So many choices in one pattern.  Make a scarf or a shawl, out of hemp/linen or mohair.  Or maybe make your own KidLin-type combination.  You could always make one for each season.

Interested in knitting this project?  Here is some helpful information.

SIZE:  

• Scarf [shawl] in linen or hemp measures approx. 178cm (70") long and 23cm (9") [46cm (18")] wide, after blocking.
• Scarf [shawl] in fine mohair measures 147cm (58") long and 23cm (9") [46cm (18")] wide, after blocking.

GAUGE:  

• 15 sts/22 rows = 10cm (4") in Trellis St pattern on 5mm (8US) needles, blocked, using linen/hemp
• 14 sts/24 rows = 10cm (4") in Trellis St pattern on 5mm (8US) needles, blocked, using fine mohair

MATERIALS:

• 280-560m (306-612yds) of linen or hemp yarn, such as Hemp for Knitting's allhemp3 OR 200-400m (219-438yds) of fine mohair yarn, such as Debbie Bliss' Angel or Rowan's Kidsilk Haze
• 1 pair 5mm (8US)  - 100cm (40 inch) needles
• 1 pair needles at least one full size larger than 5mm (8US) if using hemp or linen, and at least two sizes larger than 5mm (8US) if using fine mohair 

Inspiration 3

I was very generously given an iPad mini for my birthday, and the result has been an insane obsession with the Kaleidoscope feature in Photo Booth.  I've been taking photos of everything, including my cat.  This is a photo of a bouquet of roses, which I also got for my birthday.  Hope you like it, as you may see a lot more Kaleidoscope photos in the future!

ABIGALE

I honestly never thought I would be saying this, but I love shrugs.  When they first started coming into vogue, I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to wear one.  But I have been converted.  Once you've worn one, you totally understand their appeal.  They offer the perfect amount of coverage over a short sleeve or sleeveless top to give that bit of warmth, often needed in the mid seasons of spring and fall, when you don't really want to wear a full sweater.  And this design has some added features that make it stand apart from other similar designs.

You could wear one over a pretty, feminine top for a more dressed up look.....

Or, go totally casual when paired with jeans and a t-shirt.

I chose two beautiful hand-dyes to knit this shrug.  The orange blend is SweetGeorgia Yarns CashLuxe Fine (sorry, it was a second, so you won't be able to find this particular colour-way, but the yarn is beautiful to work with, and SweetGeorgia has a ton of amazing colour-ways to choose from), and the purple is Fleece Artist Kidazzle (which I purchased at my LYS, but doesn't seem to be available anymore on their website).

The pattern is customizable in both the cross back measurement, and sleeve length.  Plus, if you like, instructions are included for an optional thumbhole -- this is my favourite feature!

Either way, the sleeves are finished with an attractive, but subtle textured stitch pattern.

The real exciting feature of this shrug, though, is the back shaping.  A sequence of short rows keeps this knit quick and easy, but eliminates the excess pouch of fabric that appears back of the armholes in other similar designs.  This makes for a very sleek, tailored finish on a simple and versatile accessory.

If you are interested in a girls' version of this shrug pattern, please check out ABBIE.

Interested in knitting this project?  Here is some helpful information.

SIZE:  Ladies S [M, L, XL]

       Finished sleeve measurement at bicep: 

       29cm [31.25cm, 33.5cm, 35.5cm] (11⅓" [12⅓", 13¼", 14"])

       {Instructions are written for a cross back measurement of 40.5cm (16"), with the 

       ability to modify for a personal fit.}

GAUGE:  26 sts/38 rows = 10cm (4") in Stocking St on 3mm (2½US) needles

MATERIALS:  

• 740-800m (810-875yds) of Fingering/4-ply weight yarn {add or subtract approx. 20m (22yds) for each inch added to or subtracted from cross back measurement}
• 3mm (2½US)  - 100cm (40 inch) circ. needle or 3mm (2½US) needles & 1 set 3mm (2½US) dpn
• 1 set 3mm (2½US) dpn, for connecting sides
• waste yarn for provisional cast-on
• 4 st holders or waste yarn
• cable needle
• stitch marker

This project uses a provisional cast-on.  For helpful information on this technique, visit How to Avoid the Provisional Cast-on Pitfall.

Customize to get the perfect fit and look.  Then, wear and enjoy!

EFFIE

I have always loved fashions from bygone times, and the looks of the 1920's are a particular favourite. This cloche hat is a product of that fascination.

I had purchased a skein of Malabrigo's Merino Worsted in the colour-way Loro Barranquero, just because I adored the colours. I didn't have any particular use in mind for it at the time.  One day, while going through my stash, I found it and some leftover worsted in a dark brown...and the idea for this hat came to me.  I pictured '20s style tweed wool cloches, with pretty bows at the back of a ribbon band.  I went to work trying to re-create in yarn what I had envisioned in my head.

I am very pleased with the results.  This hat really is what I imagined!

The monochromatic kettle-dyed yarn, combined with Moss Stitch, gives the fabric of the hat its wool tweed appearance.  And, Tweed Stitch creates the firm, woven look of the ribbon and bow.

Although the bow is optional, I really think it completes the look.

Interested in knitting this project?  Here is some helpful information.

SIZE:  Average Ladies [54cm-56cm (21-22")] 

GAUGE:  18 sts/36 rows = 10cm (4") in Moss Stitch on 5mm (8US) needles

MATERIALS:  

• 1-100g skein Merino Worsted by Malabrigo
• approx. 25m (30yds) worsted weight wool, such as Paton's Classic Wool OR Cascade 220
• 3.25mm (3US)  - 40cm (16 inch) circ. needle
• 5mm (8US) - 40cm (16 inch) circ. needles
• 1 set 5mm (8US) dpn

Perfectly suited for a monochromatic hand/kettle-dye yarns, this cloche would look stunning in a solid or semi-solid, as well.  Plus, a silk blend worsted for the faux ribbon could be so pretty, as these types of yarn having a bit of a sheen to them.

Surprise Visitor

Lately, I having been spending a lot of time on pattern formatting of new designs.  This always includes the dreaded photo shoot.  It is my least favourite part of self-publishing.  It would be great if I could just come up with an idea, work it out, knit or crochet it up, and someone else would take care of the rest.  However, it doesn't quite work that way.

I do love the places we go to take the photos, though.  There is an abundance of green space here in Calgary, and my favourite is Fish Creek Park.  It is so beautiful, with both plant-life and wildlife.  One time we went for a bike ride, and came around a bend to find deer grazing in a field.  And there are so may different birds.

We were there recently, taking some photos of one of the gift pouches from my Cute Little Crochet Gift Pouches post.  I was holding it in my hands and standing very still, when suddenly I felt something on my shoulder.

Chickadees are such adorable and highly social little birds.  And, this one certainly brightened my photo shoot mood!