Does the fact that I am now shunning myself help? I thought not.
I finished the sleeve on my Silver Belle and have just started the yoke. The pattern tells you to cast on stitches for the front at the beginning of one row, work across, and then cast on the stitches for the back of the yoke at the beginning of the next row. Instead, I did a provisional cast on of the front stitches, worked across the sleeve, and then did a provisional cast on for the back at the end of the same row. (I also made sure that I started the yoke in sync with the cables on the sleeve; I wanted to make sure I was crossing all of the four-stitch cables on the same row.)
I did that because I wanted both the front and the back yoke to start on the same row. I also wanted to be able to do a three-needle bind off for the side seam there (using the live stitches after getting rid of the provisional cast on once I’m all finished with the knitting). It makes a cleaner, less bulky seam which I thought would be useful because this is relatively heavy yarn. (I’m using, in answer to some questions asked earlier, Debbie Bliss’s Cashmerino Aran to knit this. It was the yarn called for by the pattern and I even had it in my stash.)
I use a crocheted provisional cast on in which you crochet the stitches directly onto your needle with waste yarn. Here’s a poor photograph — it’s hard to take a picture with one hand while doing something.
Eunny Jang has some good directions for how to do it here; she even has photographs that are in focus. Imagine that! Scroll down to Invisible Crochet Cast On I. When using this technique for a provisional cast on, you use a nice smooth waste yarn and then start knitting with the project yarn.
Here is the sleeve with the crocheted provisional cast on stitches waiting to be knit. (In order to use the provisional cast on here, I have to break the yarn and start with new yarn at the beginning of the yoke.)
Here is the sleeve with the beginning of the yoke. Not much to see yet.
Finally, a close up of the front stitches and the provisional cast on.
I hope you realize that the way you can work and re-work a pattern and adapt it to your liking is a true art form. I may not be speaking for the entire knit-o-verse, but the majority have not be blessed with your talent. Thank God you are willing to take the time to teach us along the way. I really do refer to your posts often. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…. the Rainey Sister’s Knit….publication is LONG overdue!
Comment by Michelle — August 22, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
I totally agree with the way you’ve done the same-row cast on. The result is a continuous line instead of being slightly off. I agree with commenter Michelle on the Rainey Sisters publication 🙂
Comment by Karen B. — August 22, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Sally- You may even wear it this fall.
That’s amazing.
Comment by Lorraine — August 22, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
Sally – I’ve been trying to contact you regarding the pattern for Norah Gaughan’s spiral pullover you wrote about in January. I’m hoping you can let me know the pattern source? Thanks very much – love your website!
Comment by rakusu — August 22, 2007 @ 3:59 pm
I think it’s available through Patternworks. That’s where I remember buying it. It’s old, though, so I don’t know if it’s still available.
Comment by surly — August 22, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
From Susan — I am truly embarrassed by your pun and wish I had thought of it first!
Comment by lv2knit — August 22, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
I have been adapting patterns for years, but I am learning sooo much from your provisional cast-ons. Wish I had known those tricks earlier.
Comment by Astrid — August 22, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
Not much to see? That’s gorgeous knitting in lovely color! I could just stare at the stitching and love it 🙂
Comment by Carol — August 22, 2007 @ 9:49 pm
Beautiful! And I agree that it is encouraging to see you change cast ons, directions etc etc.
Comment by PainterWoman — August 23, 2007 @ 12:09 am
Very cool! I always just use the backwards loop and pick up the stitches in the middle. It is surprisingly invisible. But your method is so much more elegant. And the blurry pics don’t matter, really, because you have a nice manicure that I can covet. :g:
Comment by Romi — August 23, 2007 @ 12:50 am
Thanks for great ideas!
Comment by lillysmuul — August 24, 2007 @ 7:43 pm