Why didn't I think of that?

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my SnB Peeps?  Well I do. . .  

I was talking with one of the other Evenstar knit-a-long participants about my problems with the cast on.  Her suggestion was to just cast on nine stitches and join in the round, the hole would be small AND I could use my tail to sew it closed once the shawl was done. .   

The solution was so simple and right in front of me. . .  

Thank God for my knitting support group!