Have just recently taken up knitting and crochet again since I now have spare time again. Am experiencing serious learning curve on one particular pattern. Working on Panda Silk Fan Shawl and have not been able to figure out how to cast on 25 stitches, pick up 25 stitches from previous motif and then knit all 50 stitches for first row (WS). When I get to the point where the picked up stitches meet the cast-on stitches, all I get is a lotta, lotta yarn loops/knots that cannot be pulled snug on the needle. I have made the first module and have attached module 3 but cannot for the life of me work instructions for beginning module 2 altho I’ve worn the yarn to thread from trying. Following are abbreviated pattern instructions:
MODULE 1: (edits in rows 10-13 made 9/28/09)
CO 50 sts using #6 needle
1 (wrong side) Knit
2 Knit
3 Purl . . . . .
MODULE 2: CO 25 sts, with right side facing, pick up and knit 25 sts along right side of module 1. Complete as for module 1.
MODULE 3: Pick up and knit 25 sts along left side of module 1. Turn and using cable cast on, CO 25 sts. Complete as for module 1.
Continue adding modules as shown in drawing below.
As I want this to be a Christmas present for my stepmom, any help understanding what I’m doing wrong beginning module 2 will be sincerely appreciated. Thanks.
Welcome to KH!
What a clever pattern and a lovely gift. http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns2/accessories/PSilkDKShawl.html
Cast on the 25 sts for mod 2 and then take the needle with the cast on sts in your right hand. The working yarn will be coming off the tip of the needle. Use that working yarn to begin picking up sts along the right edge of mod 1 (the RS of mod 1 should be facing you).
This video may help with picking up sts.
When you’ve finished picking up sts, the yarn will again be at the tip of the right hand needle, turn and you’re ready to start the WS row.
Thank you so much, it worked like a charm. I actually thought about trying to reproduce my mistake but then decided why take the chance of confusing myself again.
I did modules 2, 4 and most of 6 today so I should be able to finish this in time to mail off to Texas in early December.
And I also want to thank you for the way you framed your response. There were valuable tips for things I can and should do when posting questions in the future.
Thanks again, this is the first forum I’ve ever joined much less posted to. I expect I’m going to really enjoy this forum and website!
You are both very kind. It’s a fun forum to be part of.
Yes, we certainly do learn both big and little things from each other. It’s part of the fun of knitting and best of all, there’s always more to learn.
Even if you’re beginning, you know things we all need to hear.
We are getting so smart together!
These directions are lovely, but I wonder which edge to start the pick up and knit. Is it the inner edge or the outer edge. Sorry, I was able to do it yesterday, but got myself confused agsin today.
Module 1 ends with a wrong side row. Turn so the the right side is facing, ready to knit the next row. Cast on 25sts and pick up sts along the right side edge (as opposed to the left edge). I think that is what you are describing as the inner edge.
Thank you for your quick reply as always! I think what I want to say is that in modular 2, the pick up and knit is started at the right-hand edge to the middle (on the right side, of course).
So modular 3 would be the opposite, starting the pick up and knit from the middle to the left hand edge.
As I age I seem to be overthinking things. I have problems with my hands being numb most of the time. But I keep knitting thru it as I don’t think it would be a good idea to stop. I made this shawl before probably around 2010 and thought I would try it again with some of the yarn I have been keeping for a long time. I turned 82 in mid-April and I feel like I have much more to do. I have been making and selling little cuff bracelets in the last year or so have this spring started putting in beads, to add to the mix, so I am not done yet.
Thank you again for always being patient with me. I really appreciate you and this forum very much.
It’s a pleasure to see the lovely projects that you are working on. The shawl is one of the prettiest I’ve seen. I love the cuff bracelets too, delicate and beautiful with the added beads.
I’m glad you can knit through the numbness is your hands and make these wonderful projects!
Here I am again, so sorry! i started with Modular 1 and proceeded with Modular 2, then 3, then 4, as in the schematic. Now I seem to be in trouble. Tried knitting #5 by picking up and knitting the left edge of #2 as well as the right edge if #3 because if I cast on, I will have a bottom edge which can’t be as it should be connected to the existing side of #3. I really don’t know how I made this shawl in 2010 as it is alluding me now.
Also, in the schematic it shows a #8 B , 12 B, a 18 B and a 24 A. What in the world are these?
Module 5 should be picked up as you describe: from the left edge of 2 and the right edge of 3. There won’t be a cast on for these “internal modules” (like 5, 8, 9), only for the edge modules. The diagram is really helpful in visualizing this and should help as a guide. It’s too bad that the pattern doesn’t give an example of modules like 5.
You’re on the right track. Pick up 25sts each from modules 2 and 3 and continue with the basic pattern starting with row 1 of module 1.
Your original shawl is stunning! Gorgeous colors and lovely design.
Thank you again for your positive comments.
I added you as a friend on Ravelry today and checked out your work. Lots of lovely clothing and sweaters. Looks like you knit for your children.
These colors are beautiful too. They will give this shawl a distinctive look. I’m glad your back making this version of the shawl in a lovely, soft yarn.
Thank you for adding me as a friend on Ravelry. Yes, lots of baby sweaters for the family.
