A provisional cast on uses a crochet hook to form loose, temporary stitches into which you can begin to knit. The loose, crocheted chain can then be removed to reveal live stitches. This technique is used with double brim hats such as my Aran Double Brim Hat Pattern.
You will need:
A length of scrap yarn
A crochet hook
Wool and knitting needles for your project
Step 1: Using a length of scrap yarn form a slip knot into which you will insert your crochet hook. Hold your knitting needle with the crochet hook on top to form a cross.
Step 2: Take the yarn around the back of the knitting needle, hook the yarn and pull through the slip knot on the hook to form the first stitch. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on your knitting needle.
Step 3: Using the crochet hook and yarn only, make five more chain stitches, cut the scrap yarn and pull the tail of the yarn through the final chain to prevent this from unravelling. You are now ready to begin your knitting project as usual.
NB: The provisional cast on stitches will later be removed and so do not count as the first row.
Revealing Your Stitches
When you are ready to use your live knit stitches you will remove the crocheted chain. Have your extra knitting needle ready to pick up the live stitches as they are revealed. I recommend using a needle one or two sizes smaller to make picking up the stitches easier.
Step 1: Beginning at the end of the chain with the final five chain stitches unpick the chain and pull gently to slowly unravel the scrap yarn. As you pull the live stitches will be revealed, pick these up with your extra knitting needle.
Step 2: Once the entire scrap yarn chain has been removed and all live stitches picked up, you are ready to work your knit stitches.
I hope that you find this method useful - I would love to hear your thoughts and comment and, as always, please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, SJ