I was actively discouraged from memorising my start/power/pre-take off checks during my training (Winter 09/10). I still ALWAYS use a checklist, running my finger down the list so I am less likely to miss something. If I get distracted halfway through, I always go back up this list to something I am absolutely certain I have already done and continue from there.
I then don't use the checklist again until after landing i.e. the rest of my flight checks are done from memory. However, the checklist is always easily 'grabbable' in an emergency so that although I have memorised my emergency actions, I can use it to check I've remembered everything, assuming there is time of course - bearing in mind 'Aviate, Navigate, Communicate'.
However, I find that pilots who have been flying much longer than myself were taught to memorise their pre-take off checks/vital actions. The training seems to have changed in this regard over the years....