I was! I always used to modify patterns to avoid it: instead, I’d mattress stitch the ends together, or pick up stitches from a regular cast-on edge, whichever worked for the given pattern.
Until a few days ago. When, thanks to a note on one of Croline‘s projects, I found this method. It requires your regular project materials plus a little bit of scrap yarn and a crochet hook. Now, if you’re a regular reader here, you probably know that crochet and I don’t go so well together. Which means that this method is perfectly suitable to absolute crochet ignorants, like me. Because, within minutes of watching this video, I had myself a perfect little non-fussy provisional cast-on.
It doesn’t like to lie flat, but you can see the little start of a crochet chain in the top right corner, as well as how the cast-on (in pink) looks from the right and wrong side. I’m so thrilled with finding such an easy solution to my provisional cast-on troubles!
A good start to a little something I’m making for myself as part of Malabrigo March. :)
fridica 
I love, love knitting youtube videos! I can’t tell you how many techniques I learned from them (and then forgot them promptly after I used them once).
Your little something looks very soft!
Haha, I know what you mean about learning and forgetting them! But that’s the great thing about them – as long as you save the link somewhere (I always put it in my Ravelry notes), you can refresh your memory in a matter of minutes! :)
Great information! I designed a purse (out to a test knitter at the moment) that uses a provisional cast on. I will include the You Tube link for anyone who needs help with it.
Thanks!
cool! Looking forward to seeing the patern!
Congrats on your first provisional cast on! :) It looks professional already :)
The deceptions of strategic photography… ;) Just kidding, it looks pretty damn good for a first try, which is exactly why I recommend the technique! :)
I have had the same experience with provisional cast ons. I used to avoid them like you said and then I watched Lucy Neatby’s fantastic You Tube bit (quite similar to the link you posted) and it has changed my knitting life. This is a great way to start a toe up sock: provisionally cast on half the sock stitches, work short row toe, pick up other half of stitches and go. It’s great!
Hm, hadn’t thought of that! The very few socks I tried knitting started with Judy’s magic cast-on (I think that’s what it was called) and it worked a charm for toes, but I’ll have to try this as well!
This looks very do-able – thanks for the link.
Very nice! I just took the provisional plunge about a year ago…and I currently have TWO projects going with provisional cast ons.
I used to be intimidated by the provisional caston too, until I tried it. Now, there’s no turning back, thank you very much, YouTube:) What’s your Malabrigo March project?
It’s a neckwarmer, a veeeeery luxurious one. More to be revealed soon! :)
I tried the following method lately: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlZ6D7SbpwY and Ioved it! It’s so nice, at least for me, that all the provisional stitches are already on a needle!
I learnt something new here, wow: this is a FANTASTIC method for a provisional cast on! Thank you so much!!
Oh, I’m glad you found it useful! Someone even told me the other day that they used it in order to have a contrast border – without ever undoing the provisional cast-on. I thought that was an interesting idea!