Colour chart query

Hi all

I am knitting a Lopi jumper at the moment and it has some colour work. I am wondering if you can help me to understand the chart right.

I am knitting a small sized sweater and at the bottom of the chart it says to start two squares in. I am wondering if I need to do that for every row or just the first row and whether I then repeat from that point for each row. I think this is probably what is meant but thought I should check!

Thanks :slight_smile:

What is the name of the Lopi pattern?
Yes, begin the chart on the first row for the small size. Begin the colorwork 2 squares in from the right on that first round but from then on continue with the full chart. The long line directly under the chart shows you the repeat (i.e., the full chart width). The only change to the chart is that the first round begins 2sts or 2 squares in.
Out of curiosity, what is your stitch number?

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Ah, thank you, salmonmac. I’ve just done rows 4 and 5 starting two stitches in and repeating from two stitches in. Is that wrong?

So, I take it out and begin at the very start of row 4?

The pattern is this one: https://lopidesign.is/en/vara/gjof/

Thank you :grinning:

PS: i’m on 252 stitches. When I follow the pattern from two stitches in, repeating from two stitches in, it does tally with the pattern and ends on the right bit of the pattern

That’s interesting. When patterns are set up this way, the start is altered for the different sizes but the repeat usually remains the full repeat. That was partly why I asked about stitch number. Yes, for 252sts a repeat of 12sts x 21 works where an initial 12 followed by a repeat of 14 doesn’t. So much for my recommendation!

That changes the small cross in blue in rows 4-6 and makes it a single dot. The photo shows a cross in both versions. The heart design will alter too but still be hearts. So anyway if you’re happy with the repeat at 12sts, that makes sense with the stitch number.

A second option that will work with the stitch number is to work the beginning of the chart at the first square and forget indenting the rounds by 2 squares (possibly a pattern error?). 14sts x 18 = 252 The advantage is that this way maintains the cross and the same heart pattern as the photos.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to help me with this Salmonmac! :two_hearts:

I am going to go back to the start of the chart and start at the first square. Hopefully two stitches won’t make too much odds to the sizing. Besides it is a Christmas jumper for my son and who knows what size he will be by then!

I am really enjoying knitting with the lopi wool, although thinking of having a break to knit a silk yarn camisole for the summer (not that we get much of a summer here
)

Thank you so much for once again keeping me knitting, not quitting :slightly_smiling_face:

It’s possible this starting point is to position the chart on the sweater rather than reduce the motif size.
12 + (14 x 17) + 2 = 252
Ie. Starting 2 Squares in makes the first motif 12 sts but then working 14 sts for the other repeats right across and then finally the first 2 sts are worked to complete the row/round.
It means the full motif is produced but in a slightly different place on the sweater, maybe a bit more symetrical.

Ah, I see, you start two stitches in but then complete with the first two stitches?

And, I do that for just the first row? Or for all rows?

As they are all green anyway I can’t see that it makes any difference. This is mighty confusing to me so this help is very gratefully received indeed! đŸ«€

Throw a bit of maths in and I am WHOLLY done for :rofl:

The sizing won’t be affected by working the chart from the first square on the right through the last square for all the rounds. That method will keep the integrity of the motif for the heart and the small cross.
It’s a wonderful gift and so clever of you to start now. Have fun with it and the lovely Lopi yarn and please let us see a photo when you finish!

Yes, you’re right. It could well be positioning the motifs. The full repeat will be worked out at the end of the sts.

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All the rows.
Each row begins on stitch 3 of the chart so th first motif is only 12 sts wide. Then repeat the chart row from stitch 1 meaning that a full 14 sts are use in the following repeats. When you get to near the end of the row you will finish a 14 st motif and then be left with 2 sts not worked. These stitches will be stitch 1 and 2 of the chart.

All it does is reposition the motifs on the sweater, probably making it balance better visually.

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Thank you! I think that makes sense now, although still don’t fully get the logic of it :rofl:

So at the end of the row, for the last two stitches, I do stitches 1 and 2?

Hopefully this is my last question and next time you see me it will be with a picture of the completed jumper :grinning:

Thank you x 1,000!

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Yes that’s it.
It may be more obvious why the chart is shifted by 2 stitches once you have worked up the motif and see how it sits on the row.

I spent a few minutes considering where the centre of the sweater would be and which part of the motif would appear there but it melted my brain slightly so I gave up pretty quickly. My guess is either you get a heart centred or you get a heart either side of centre
either of which will make the sweater look balanced and symentrical. 2 stitches isn’t a great deal of movement (and the chart start point for other sizes is perhaps more vital for making it look right as the movement is bigger) but the designer has obviously thought about the positioning.

Hey, it’s OK to have more questions, but it’s also nice to sail through a pattern without any.

Four rows in and it is all aligning perfectly and making complete sense. Thank you so much!

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That’s great news.
Sometimes blind faith in the pattern is the way to go and things become clear later on.
Glad it’s working.

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Back already!
Small query
 I have made my way up to row 22 and there is a blank column. The key says that it is a ‘no stitch’ square. I have googled this and various videos/reddit posts just say to do nothing. So, do I just literally pretend that square isn’t there? I see there are decreases in the row so is it to accommodate those?
Confused. Again. :rofl:
Thank you!

Edited to add


Please could I also check what is meant by right leaning and left leaning k2tog.
I gather that the right leaning is simply knitting two together but is the left leaving SSK? Or something else?

Thank you again

You don’t seem confused at all. You’re correct that the blank “no stitch” column should just be skipped. Pretend it isn’t there.
A ssk is a good left leaning decrease and is a complement to the k2tog right leaning decrease.

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Yay! Thank you! All is clear to journey on :grinning:

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