[crafty lady UK]

I had been doing a lot of knitting and automatically started to cast on (long tail). So this is what I did:
I cast on 2 stitches in long tail cast on, on a crochet hook,
* picked the yarn up with the hook and pulled it through the 2 stitches (1 stitch on hook), cast on another stitch (2 stitches on the hook)* repeat from * to * till you have the number of chains required, then you can crochet normally as if you had chained up in the usual way. It looks like a cord, but flat. I have used it when doing baby bonnets, mittens etc. and also when starting Tunisian or Croknit crochet.
It tends to curl a bit, but seems to straighten out when you crochet into it, but it is slightly tighter than your main crochet tension, which is great for a bonnet but you could use a larger hook just for the cast on if you want a looser edge.
If you are wanting an edging on the finished item, you can also pick up and crochet along the other edge.
I will be using this method a lot on garments where you want a nice flat edge. I hope you find it useful. Terri.

 

[m.r.b.]

I will have to try that. It sounds interesting.

 

[PearlofGreatPrice]

Wow, never thought about that. I've still been hesitant to try the provisional cast on to make a hat my husband has been requesting for some time now.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[tammyc77]

I am going to try that - thank you!!

 

[martyr]

I'm not good at visualizing something from words, so I will have to try this technique when I get a minute.
It does sounds a little like foundation chain, which can be done in single, or any crochet stitch, and gives you the chain and first row of your piece all at once. it's a great technique, but I tend not to remember it unless the pattern suggests!. Maybe suggesting it will help me!

Here's a you-tube video showing it, there are many - I learned from one on allfreecrochet web site.

Is your similar and what advantages do you find to using it?

 

[Ellisen]

Oh, thank you. Sounds great. Will try it next time. Appreciate the info.