I've just come across this thread whilst looking for something else, and I've given myself a pat on the back!
I really struggled with the tubular cast on with provisional yarn technique, as it's a lovely rib finish with no hard edge. I've made 3 hats now, all using the technique ( which I modified to suit me), and it looks really good. I did struggle with each hat, and it took me ages just to do the rib.
However, I finished the last cable hat the other day, and, being laid up with a bad back, I started the Owl Hat for Theo. I picked my provisional starter up, (I don't start a new provisional piece each tiime, I re-use an earlier one) and adjusted the number of stitches. Changed to the yarn I intended to use, and knit four rows. Then I went on to the pick up - and it went like a dream!
I ended up with the correct number of stitches, and it had gone without a problem. The difference seemed to be, that I'd used dpns instead of the circular needle. I removed the provisional piece, and just carried on using circulars now.
I still have a very clumsy knitting technique, probably more so, as my hands don't work as well as they might, but, I can still knit, so I'll take that!
I've attached a pic of my three cable hats - Lapland here we come!
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Jessie