Join Yarn Invisibly - Picture Tutorial

By: Marie Anne St. Jean
I use this method w/knitting also.  It's the best join ever!

Free Pattern - Knitting an Oval Shape

KNITTING AN OVAL SHAPE

Using a 32" - 40" (preferred) circular needle, using a figure-8 cast-on half the number of desired stitches.  For example, if your pattern calls for 40 stitches, cast-on 20. Knit through back loops to establish the base.
If you leave 3x as much yarn as cast on stitches. Then you can use that long tail (after knitting a few rows) to weave through the center stitches for extra support.

pm = place marker
m2 = k front, back, front in same stitch

Rnd 1: pm, k1, m2, k to last 2 sts, m2, k1
Rnd 2: k around
Rnd 3: k2, m2, k to last 3 sts, m2, k2
Rnd 4: k around
Rnd 5: k3, m2, k to last 4 sts, m2, k2
Rnd 6: k around
Rnd 7: k4, m2, k to last 5 sts, m2, k4
Rnd 8: k around

Continue stepping over 1 st on all odd numbered rounds so that you are doing the m2 on the middle stitch of the last group of m2 in the previous increase round until you have the desired length for your oval.