Okay, I just got a shipment from WEBS and I’m raring to go.
Yarn: RYC soft tweed
Pattern: RYC Winter “Cromarty”, a women’s cardigan knit bottom up, the back is knit separately, each front (L & R) ALSO knit separately.
Dilemma: I have a sneaking suspicion that all this “separate” business is going to make for seaming nightmares. Not that I can’t seam. I just hate it.
Also, this is not just a “knit stockinette for 20 inches and then seam it together” kinda pattern, it calls for decreases every 12 rows, the fronts have pockets to deal with, then there are increases every x amount of rows. There is also a striping sequence to follow.
So…
If I work the pattern in pieces as directed, won’t seaming be wacky with all those inc/dec stitches on the edges? Extra lumpy?
AND
Does seaming lend any “strength” to a garment, eliminate sagging, etc? (Wow I am getting woozy from thinking so much.)
If I decided to do it all in one, would I just cast-on left, place marker, cast-on center, place marker, cast-on right? I’ve never altered a pattern!
AND
Would it be advisable to eliminate a stitch from each “edge” since there will be no seams?
Just trying to do this the easiest way possible, even if it means seams…
If I decided to do it all in one, would I just cast-on left, place marker, cast-on center, place marker, cast-on right? I’ve never altered a pattern!
AND
Would it be advisable to eliminate a stitch from each “edge” since there will be no seams?
Yes. I don’t think you’ll miss the seams as far as ‘strength’ goes. The only place that sometimes matters is in lace and for collars.
I would plan on knitting all the way up to the armholes and then dividing, unless you want to steek the armholes. This yarn is bulky, so avoiding the seams would be a good idea. You might want to consider knitting the sleeves on, too–even less seaming! :happydance:
Just treat each section between the markers as if it’s a separate piece for the decreases and increases.
RE nasty edges from decreases etc.: do them a couple of stitches in from the edge to make it less nasty and easier to seam (for any future projects you do flat)
Sarah
First off, thanks everybody for the help, you’ve given me the confidence to go ahead and cast on!
I bought the pattern book and the yarn at webs, here is a link to direct you straight to the RYC patterns at Webs, scroll down for book 6 “winter”. It is kind of pricey but there are many patterns in the booklet.
And the yarn is REALLY on sale…over half off!!! Scroll down for “soft tweed”, it’s listed twice, most of the colors are available.
This yarn is so soft, I am loving it.
As for the rest of the patterns in the book, this is the best link I’ve found to show not ONLY the patterns, but the yarn requirements, too! Brooklyn Tweed is also knitting a cardi from this book, and I read he’s making it seamless.
I think I will cast on and and shout for help when I reach the armholes. I am not attempting to steek, no way, no how, not yet…
But I am all for making it seamless, if it’s possible!
Baby steps…