Deciphering "Pick up 3 sts for every 4 Rows"

#1

Hello all you knitters out there!

Is there anyone who can explain this to me? “Pick up 3 sts for every 4 Rows”.

I understand how to pick up stitches on an edge but I’m confused as to whether I skip stitches in between the pickup of 3.
I have done so and I still have a ruffle happening.

Any suggestions???
Thanks in Advance!
Citrine

#2

If you pick up a stitch in every end of row stitch, you get too many; if you pick up in every other one, you won’t have enough. The stitch to row gauge is about 3:4 so if you pick up in 3 sts, skip one, pick up the next 3, skip 1, it should be just about right.

#3

Sue is right about the ratio for picking up stitches–usually. Sometimes you have to experiment a little.

But I wanted to add that if you are still getting a ruffling maybe using a needle one or two sizes smaller for the pickup may be a good idea. It depends on the place you are picking up though if you want to do that or not.

#4

Yeah, the keywords in my explanation are “should be” just about right. Depending on your gauge, picking up 2 for every 3 or 4 for every 5 may work out better. You may have to try it one way and if that’s not right, try another. Ripping out is part of picking up stitches - you don’t know what’s going to work until you do it.

#5

Thanks everyone. I’ll give all those tips a try!

:cheering: